K2 / Spice treatment · Arlington, VA

Outpatient synthetic cannabinoid treatment in Arlington, Virginia

CBT, psychiatric stabilization, PHP and IOP for K2, Spice, and synthetic cannabinoid use — including paranoia, psychosis, and withdrawal — for adults in Arlington, Washington, DC, and Northern Virginia.

Call (571) 586-2883 Find my level of care

Same-week assessment
Day & evening IOP tracks
Telehealth for Virginia residents only

Medically reviewed by the VABH Medical Team

When treatment helps

K2 and Spice patterns we treat

Synthetic cannabinoids are unregulated, unpredictable, and often more dangerous than people realize. If use has become hard to control, treatment can help you stabilize and rebuild.

You keep using despite frightening episodes

K2, Spice, Bizzaro, Kronic, and similar lab-created chemicals are unpredictable. Many people come to us after a bad batch caused panic, paranoia, or a trip to the ER — and still found it hard to stop.

Psychosis, paranoia, or hallucinations

Synthetic cannabinoids can trigger intense agitation, hallucinations, delusions, and violent paranoia that outlast the high. Repeat episodes raise the risk of longer-lasting psychiatric symptoms, especially in young adults.

Rapid heart rate, vomiting, or seizures

Unlike cannabis, synthetic cannabinoids are linked to tachycardia, severe vomiting, chest pain, kidney damage, and seizures. The physical toll is real and often lands people in emergency departments before they seek treatment.

Using to avoid withdrawal or cravings

Headaches, sweating, irritability, insomnia, and strong cravings can set in within hours. The cycle of using to feel normal, then feeling worse, is the hallmark of dependence — and it responds to structured treatment.

Life is narrowing around the next bag

Money, relationships, work, and safety take a back seat to obtaining the product. Synthetic cannabinoids are cheap, accessible, and constantly reformulated, which makes self-directed quitting unusually difficult.

Underlying anxiety, trauma, or depression

Many people use Spice or K2 to numb anxiety, PTSD symptoms, or depression. Treating only the substance leaves the driver untouched, which is why our approach integrates mental health care from day one.

How we treat synthetic cannabinoid use

Stabilize first, then rebuild skills and safety

The chemical keeps changing, but the treatment principles are proven: manage the acute symptoms, treat the mental health underneath, and give you skills that last.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

We identify the triggers — stress, boredom, trauma memories, social pressure — and build concrete skills to ride cravings without using. CBT is the backbone of lasting change after synthetic cannabinoid dependence.

Motivational interviewing (MI)

Most people feel conflicted: they want the chaos to stop but aren't sure they can quit. MI meets that ambivalence with respect and helps you build your own reasons for change, which predicts better outcomes than confrontation.

Psychiatric evaluation & stabilization

Board-certified assessment for persistent paranoia, mood swings, anxiety, or psychotic symptoms. We treat what's real and what's substance-related with careful differentiation, not assumptions.

Withdrawal and craving management

While there is no FDA-approved medication specifically for synthetic cannabinoids, we use evidence-based symptom management for sleep, anxiety, irritability, and nausea so the first week is survivable rather than overwhelming.

Trauma-informed and dual-diagnosis care

Synthetic cannabinoid use often overlaps with PTSD, anxiety disorders, depression, or bipolar symptoms. We treat both together under one plan so recovery isn't undermined by untreated mental health needs.

Relapse prevention & contingency planning

We map high-risk people, places, and emotional states; rehearse refusal skills; and build a plan for the moment a craving shows up. Structure in the first months is what protects the progress made in treatment.

Levels of care

K2 and Spice treatment programs, from PHP to aftercare

Most people aren't sure which level of care they need — that's what the assessment is for, and you can step up or down as things change.

015 days/week · ~6 hrs/day
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
Our most intensive outpatient level. Daily groups, individual therapy, and psychiatric oversight for people recovering from severe synthetic cannabinoid episodes, psychosis, or polysubstance use. You sleep at home and receive intensive support during the day.
023–5 days/week · day or evening
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
Several sessions a week of CBT, skills groups, and relapse-prevention planning with morning and evening tracks. The standard starting point for people who need more than weekly therapy but can work or attend school.
03Weekly · ongoing
Outpatient therapy & medication management
Weekly individual therapy, psychiatric follow-up, and medication management as cravings fade and life stabilizes. Many people continue here for months after completing PHP or IOP.
04When more support is needed
Higher level of care (vetted partners)
If inpatient psychiatric stabilization or medically supervised withdrawal management is the safer first step, we coordinate placement with trusted, vetted providers and take the guesswork out of the handoff — then resume your outpatient plan with us.

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Across the river from Maryland

Convenient for Maryland commuters

Our Arlington center is a short drive from Bethesda, Montgomery County, and Prince George's County. Many Maryland clients choose in-person PHP and IOP here because the commute is manageable and evening tracks fit around work or classes. Telehealth is available for Virginia residents between in-person visits.

Common questions

K2 / Spice treatment questions, answered

Is K2 the same as marijuana?

No. K2, Spice, and similar products are lab-created chemicals sprayed on plant material. They interact with the same brain receptors as THC but with unpredictable strength and effects. The risk of paranoia, psychosis, seizures, and cardiovascular problems is much higher than with natural cannabis.

Can you become addicted to Spice or K2?

Yes. Synthetic cannabinoid use disorder is a recognized clinical pattern. People can develop tolerance, withdrawal, cravings, and continued use despite serious consequences. The constantly changing chemical formulations make it especially hard to stop without support.

What does K2 withdrawal feel like?

Common symptoms include headaches, irritability, anxiety, insomnia, sweating, nausea, and strong cravings. Because the chemicals vary by batch, withdrawal can also include mood swings or physical symptoms that need medical monitoring.

Can K2 or Spice cause psychosis?

Yes. Synthetic cannabinoids are linked to acute psychotic episodes, paranoia, hallucinations, and agitation. Risk is higher with frequent use, high-potency products, and in people with a personal or family history of psychosis or bipolar disorder. A psychiatric evaluation is important if this has occurred.

Does insurance cover K2 or Spice treatment?

Most major commercial plans cover outpatient substance use treatment, including PHP and IOP for synthetic cannabinoid use disorder. Our admissions team verifies your benefits and gives you an expected cost before you start. Self-pay options are available if you're uninsured.

Can I keep working during treatment?

Yes. IOP runs day and evening tracks so Arlington and DC professionals can stay employed while receiving structured care. PHP is a larger time commitment, and we can explain FMLA or short-term disability options if needed.

Do you offer telehealth for K2 or Spice treatment?

Yes, for Virginia residents — our clinicians are licensed in Virginia, so telehealth sessions are available statewide. In-person care at our Arlington center is open to Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC residents.

In-person K2 / Spice treatment at 5400 Shawnee Road, Arlington, VA for VA, MD, and DC residents. Telehealth for Virginia residents only.

If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or call 911.

Get help today

Talk to someone who's done this before

Whether you're calling for yourself or for someone you love, the first conversation is free and completely confidential.

Admissions — 24/7(571) 586-2883
Location5400 Shawnee Road, Arlington, VA

Insurance accepted

Insurance coverage for K2 / Spice treatment

Outpatient substance use treatment for synthetic cannabinoid use is a covered behavioral health benefit under most commercial plans — Anthem, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Optum, Sentara Health Plans, UMR, and Johns Hopkins Health Plans. Send us your card and we'll confirm your PHP, IOP, and outpatient benefits before you start.