Psychedelic Drug 2C-I “Smiles” on the rise this year despite several deaths

Vista Bay reviews one of the trendy synthetic drugs known as “smiles,” which has become popular among teenagers this year regardless of its fatal side effects. 2C-I, or smiles, comes from the 2C family, which means that it belongs to
psychedelic phenethylamines, which are basically amphetamine drugs that are produced with different chemical combinations in order to produce stronger psychedelic effects when taken by the user.

This drug, which has the legal name 2C-I, was first synthesized by drug developer Alexander Shulgin, who also promoted MDMA (ecstasy) and published the recipe of 2C-I in his book “PiHKAL: A Chemical Love Story.” The information in the book wasn’t clearly communicated to the general public, since it involved expert chemical terms; however, the DEA have since found that the book is being used as a guide in clandestine labs, where the drug is produced illegally. This resulted in the termination of Shulgin’s license to work with scheduled drugs at that time.

As other synthetic drugs are easily compared with bath salts (synthetic marijuana), up until recently the ingredients contained within 2C-I were legal and it wasn’t until the enactment of the Synthetic Drug Abuse Prevention Act of 2012 that the possession, manufacture and distribution of the drug was banned—nine years after the EU, who had banned the drug back in 2003.

The unfortunate fact is that this drug has been responsible for several deaths in a short period of time, as the following cases show:

-17-year-old Elijah Stai from northern Minnesota stopped breathing the same day he took a synthetic drug that appeared to resemble 2C-I.

-18-year-old Christian Bjerk was found dead on a Grand Forks’ sidewalk in June having taken an overdose similar to Stai's.

-Actor Johnny Lewis, who was recently found dead with a “blunt head trauma and manual strangulation” according to Los Angeles's Coroner, is suspected to have been under the influence of 2C-I at the time of his death.

These are real examples of the consequences of taking synthetic drugs that are not yet fully understood by the general population. Teens haven’t been educated about these drugs and take real risks by dosing on unsafe amounts, usually having been influenced by friends or dealers who care more about profit than other people’s lives. At present no one knows at which doses, if any, the drugs are safe and what the potential side effects really are.

Unfortunately, it is only after these types of incidents occur that the police can make further investigations into the real dangers associated with the drugs. In general, synthetic drugs will keep appearing in new forms, using new combinations of chemical properties that may still pass FDA approval. There are chemists who are interested in creating these types of drugs with the intention of causing certain wanted effects.

In the meantime, the best preventive weapon to stop this destructive activity is to be aware of the dangers of the synthetic drugs that are available on the market and to educate the youth about their existence and effects.

For more information about synthetic drugs, visit Narconon Vista Bay, and for further help call 1-888-257-9052 to talk to a counselor regarding synthetic drug abuse.

 Sources:

Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2C-I
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Shulgin
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-204_162-57522571/smiles-drug-implicated-in-actors-death-what-are-they/ article
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2C_%28psychedelics%29

The Vista Bay Drug Free Withdrawal Program

For many individuals who struggle with drug and alcohol addiction, the hardest part about quitting is taking that initial step. Quitting isn’t easy; there are severe withdrawal symptoms to overcome, not to mention severe cravings, mood swings, etc. For drug addicts and alcoholics, the thought of this may be so daunting that they don’t even try.

At Vista Bay, we offer a drug free withdrawal process that aims to make the initial withdrawal from substances as comfortable and effective as possible for the individual. This process begins with complete removal of all mind and mood altering substances from the addict. Then our trained withdrawal counselors begin to rehabilitate the client physically and mentally using proven techniques for successful withdrawal. Those who are undergoing the withdrawal process will be put on a regimen of vitamin and nutrition therapy aimed at restoring vital nutrients to the body that drug and alcohol abuse has depleted. We also take our clients on many short walks and engage them in a variety of simple mental exercises. This helps them to stay positive during this uncomfortable process and get through it as painlessly as possible.

Every client that undergoes the Narconon drug free withdrawal program is supervised 24 hours a day. There is no time limit for the withdrawal portion of the Vista Bay program, clients are kept on the withdrawal program until all physical and mental discomfort associated with drug and alcohol withdrawal is gone.

The Drug Free Withdrawal program at Vista Bay rehab gives our clients a solid foundation for succeeding with the rest of their treatment and embarking on a clean and sober life!

Vista Bay Rehab Success Story

I wanted to die. I had completely given up. I was progressively losing hope to the point that death didn’t scare me. I lost my job, my house, my relationship, my family, my dignity and my spirit.

I got into a motorcycle accident. The first time I was injected with morphine, I knew it was going to become a problem. I went home with my prescription of oxycontin. I hid this from my family because of my history with opiate abuse. My close friends and family eventually noticed that I was “off” so I tried to quit “cold-turkey.” I got really sick which was even more noticeable so I tried to taper off from the medication and somehow quit without my loved ones noticing that I was on the medication in the first place. When I was finally caught, I went on a big run, getting back into everything including meth, alcohol and marijuana. I was keeping a lot of my life secret from other people, which led to guilt, shame and more chaos. After 3 months, I overdosed in my car while driving, which led to permanent blindness in my left eye. My family did an intervention with me where they made certain that I though I could change and that I wanted to change. Then they sent me to Narconon Vista Bay Rehab.

Since coming to Vista Bay, I have become really excited to live my life. I know I can remain happy now and be successful. I was out of control with myself and everything in my life. Now I feel very in control of myself and my future. I am genuinely joyful. For a long time now I haven’t spent a minute feeling sorry for myself or depressed. My thinking is on track and clear. My strength and will to life are back. I care about other people and I am not selfish all the time. I feel energized and full of life. I can achieve anything I want by confronting my dreams and going for it!

Chad N.
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Vista Bay Rehab is an in-patient; long-term drug and alcohol treatment facility that has been helping people recover for nearly two decades. To find out more about the Narconon Vista Bay program, call 800-556-8885.

Vista Bay Rehab | Methamphetamine Information

Methamphetamine, commonly called crystal, meth or crank, has become widespread as a drug of choice for many substance abusers in our country. Meth first became widely popular in the 80’s as a more affordable alternative to cocaine. At the time, the cost of cocaine made it prohibitive for many to use on a regular basis, so use of meth helped to supplement their habits.

Meth was made or “cooked in bathtubs and cut with ephedrine (a stimulant found in cold medicine) and sold by local dealers. Today, crystal meth manufacturing has achieved a sophistication rivaling that of heroin and cocaine production. Cookers, as those who produce the drug are known, come up with clever and hi-tech ways to produce the drug right here in our neighborhoods.

Currently, meth is being widely used throughout suburban America and is being found in schools. At Narconon Vista Bay rehab, we have seen a steady increase in the amount of enrollments for crystal meth from all walks of life.

The office of the Nevada Governor released some alarming statistics on meth use in recent years. According to the study, of those surveyed who used drugs, 45% of adults, 41% of adolescents and 82% of pregnant women reported crystal meth as the drug of choice. Nevada is home to some of the highest methamphetamine abuse statistics in the country.

Crystal meth is a strong stimulant that can lead to hallucinations and severe paranoia. Health risks associated with meth include, speeding up the aging process, destroying teeth, facial sores from poor health and the meth users propensity toward picking at themselves and damage to internal organs. Many who have used meth for years wind up in a meth psychosis that can last for weeks or months after the drug has left their system.

Vista Bay rehab has seen people everyday overcome addiction to meth. The damage done by the drug may be significant, but with VistaBay Drug Rehab’s detoxification and life skills regimen, the individual can be restored to sanity and given the opportunity to turn their life around. It is possible to have a new and successful life free of addiction. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, contact Narconon Vista Bay Rehab today!

Vista Bay Rehab Graduate Testimonial

The following testimonial from a Vista Bay rehab graduate shows just how much can be gained from drug and alcohol rehabilitation. No matter how far down you’ve gone there is always a way out. Narconon Vista Bay rehab has a professional and dedicated staff that will help you to overcome your addiction.


Success Story | Narconon Vista Bay Rehab

I started off drinking in college, or should I say, “binge drinking”. I honestly didn’t think that it was a problem but looking back I realize that I’ve used alcohol as a crutch through life, something to hide behind, a security blanket to shield me from things that I just didn’t want to confront. So many people in my life that cared about me told me time and time again that I had a problem but I didn’t listen, I didn’t want to hear the truth.

The drinking led me to do a lot of things that I regret and also damaged a lot of friendships that I am repairing. Worst of all, I pushed the most important people that cared about me away, my parents. I honestly thought that there was no way out and I had completely given up but my parents never gave up on me. They called around and by chance came upon this place called Narconon Vista Bay rehab. They had never heard about the program before but after talking to one of the representatives and finding out the success rate, they decided that is would be the best place for me, and it was!

Vista Bay Rehab taught me to have confidence in myself again. They gave me the tools to take my life back into my own hands. They taught me that life is not about dwelling on your past mistakes and that’s how I know that I will flourish and prosper. With the tools and technology that I have gained here at Narconon Vistabay Rehab and my new self-confidence I know that I can achieve anything in life!

Tiffany L.