Synthetic cannabis has become the primary concern for professionals working in the field of addiction. The presence of unknown components and the low perception of danger among young people are causing an increase in psychotic episodes and other mental disorders associated with its use. This is the warning issued by Proyecto Hombre Alicante, which has released its therapeutic discharge data and presented its 2025 activity report, in which it assisted 9,685 people and consolidated its presence in more than 80% of the municipalities in the province. Eight out of ten people who are discharged and continue with follow-up care maintain a healthy and socially responsible life.
Despite a high rate of youth protection, Consagración Jareño, director of the Proyecto Hombre Alicante Foundation, asserts that the evolution of substances consumed in recent years has significantly increased the risks. “We are dealing with synthetic products with very high toxicity, and in many cases, even those who consume them don’t know what they actually contain,” she explains.
The organisation has found that cannabis and alcohol continue to be the main substances used by adolescents entering prevention and treatment programmes. The average age of initiation is between 14 and 15, although use is becoming increasingly prevalent, even as early as 13. “The biggest concern is the lack of risk perception. Many young people consider cannabis to be a relatively harmless substance and are unaware of the consequences it can have on their mental health,” Jareño points out.
Psychiatric episodes
Experts warn that the constant chemical modifications carried out in clandestine laboratories make it difficult to know exactly what these drugs contain. This uncertainty leads to an increase in psychiatric episodes and associated complications.
“We are seeing more psychotic episodes and more mental disorders linked to substance use. The problem is that often even the tests don’t allow us to accurately determine what has been consumed, because the substances are so adulterated.” This also happens with cocaine, the main reason for treatment among adults; specialists also observe a significant level of adulteration. “There are people convinced they have used cocaine, and when tests are performed, they don’t even confirm its presence. This demonstrates the extent to which we don’t know what substances are currently circulating,” she adds.
Alcohol consumption continues to accompany cannabis use among young people. Experts explain that this consumption is primarily associated with leisure activities and drinking in public, with intensive use concentrated on weekends. The same is true for pink cocaine.
Social networks and gaming
Behavioural addictions have become more prevalent. Between 16 and 17% of young people receiving treatment present problems related to social media or gambling. While compulsive use of digital platforms is more common among girls, sports betting is more frequent among boys.
“New technologies are part of everyday life, and that makes it harder to detect when there is a problem. In many cases, families do not identify the addiction until major conflicts arise.”
45% of the women they assist suffer abuse
Forty-five percent of the women assisted by Proyecto Hombre have suffered gender-based violence, and more than 80% need to work on emotional dependency and rebuilding their self-esteem. “They arrive with an enormous burden of guilt. Many feel they have failed as mothers, as daughters, or as people, and in some cases, they even justify the abuse they suffered. It’s very deep work that goes far beyond quitting drugs,” explains the director.
Proyecto Hombre Alicante has incorporated specific programmes with a gender perspective into both its therapeutic community and outpatient treatments to address this issue. Through these programmes, over 80% of participants acquire tools to cope with emotional dependency, and 88% increase their personal and social autonomy.
In 2025, the organisation supported 9,685 people through its programmes, bringing the total number of people served since 1994 to over 86,000. It also carried out preventative initiatives with more than 7,400 young people. “Prevention is key. The earlier intervention, the greater the chances of recovery.”
Among adults, cocaine is the primary substance for which people seek help, followed by alcohol. Benzodiazepine and opiate use is also common among women, while problem gambling is the most prevalent issue among men. Most people do not access programmes in the early stages of the problem.
Stigma
“Proyecto Hombre is not usually the first door families knock on. There is still a lot of stigma surrounding addiction, and by the time people come to us, their situations are often already very deteriorated.” Family problems, difficulties living together, pre-existing psychological disorders, and social isolation are typical of those who seek help.
Reintegration into the workforce has a significant impact. After completing treatment, the unemployment rate among men drops from 59% to 18%, while among women it falls from 80% to 22%.
The Insola+ programme, funded by European funds, enabled almost 30% of its participants to improve their employment situation within six months. “Recovery isn’t just about giving up substance abuse. It also involves rebuilding life plans, strengthening family ties, and regaining the ability to enter the job market with confidence.”Synthetic cannabis has become the primary concern for professionals working in the field of addiction. The presence of unknown components and the low perception of danger among young people are causing an increase in psychotic episodes and other mental disorders associated with its use. This is the warning issued by Proyecto Hombre Alicante, which has released its therapeutic discharge data and presented its 2025 activity report, in which it assisted 9,685 people and consolidated its presence in more than 80% of the municipalities in the province. Eight out of ten people who are discharged and continue with follow-up care maintain a healthy and socially responsible life.
Despite a high rate of youth protection, Consagración Jareño, director of the Proyecto Hombre Alicante Foundation, asserts that the evolution of substances consumed in recent years has significantly increased the risks. “We are dealing with synthetic products with very high toxicity, and in many cases, even those who consume them don’t know what they actually contain,” she explains.
The organisation has found that cannabis and alcohol continue to be the main substances used by adolescents entering prevention and treatment programmes. The average age of initiation is between 14 and 15, although use is becoming increasingly prevalent, even as early as 13. “The biggest concern is the lack of risk perception. Many young people consider cannabis to be a relatively harmless substance and are unaware of the consequences it can have on their mental health,” Jareño points out.
Psychiatric episodes
Experts warn that the constant chemical modifications carried out in clandestine laboratories make it difficult to know exactly what these drugs contain. This uncertainty leads to an increase in psychiatric episodes and associated complications.
“We are seeing more psychotic episodes and more mental disorders linked to substance use. The problem is that often even the tests don’t allow us to accurately determine what has been consumed, because the substances are so adulterated.” This also happens with cocaine, the main reason for treatment among adults; specialists also observe a significant level of adulteration. “There are people convinced they have used cocaine, and when tests are performed, they don’t even confirm its presence. This demonstrates the extent to which we don’t know what substances are currently circulating,” she adds.
Alcohol consumption continues to accompany cannabis use among young people. Experts explain that this consumption is primarily associated with leisure activities and drinking in public, with intensive use concentrated on weekends. The same is true for pink cocaine.
Social networks and gaming
Behavioural addictions have become more prevalent. Between 16 and 17% of young people receiving treatment present problems related to social media or gambling. While compulsive use of digital platforms is more common among girls, sports betting is more frequent among boys.
“New technologies are part of everyday life, and that makes it harder to detect when there is a problem. In many cases, families do not identify the addiction until major conflicts arise.”
45% of the women they assist suffer abuse
Forty-five percent of the women assisted by Proyecto Hombre have suffered gender-based violence, and more than 80% need to work on emotional dependency and rebuilding their self-esteem. “They arrive with an enormous burden of guilt. Many feel they have failed as mothers, as daughters, or as people, and in some cases, they even justify the abuse they suffered. It’s very deep work that goes far beyond quitting drugs,” explains the director.
Proyecto Hombre Alicante has incorporated specific programmes with a gender perspective into both its therapeutic community and outpatient treatments to address this issue. Through these programmes, over 80% of participants acquire tools to cope with emotional dependency, and 88% increase their personal and social autonomy.
In 2025, the organization supported 9,685 people through its programmes, bringing the total number of people served since 1994 to over 86,000. It also carried out preventative initiatives with more than 7,400 young people. “Prevention is key. The earlier intervention, the greater the chances of recovery.”
Among adults, cocaine is the primary substance for which people seek help, followed by alcohol. Benzodiazepine and opiate use is also common among women, while problem gambling is the most prevalent issue among men. Most people do not access programmes in the early stages of the problem.
Stigma
“Proyecto Hombre is not usually the first door families knock on. There is still a lot of stigma surrounding addiction, and by the time people come to us, their situations are often already very deteriorated.” Family problems, difficulties living together, pre-existing psychological disorders, and social isolation are typical of those who seek help.
Reintegration into the workforce has a significant impact. After completing treatment, the unemployment rate among men drops from 59% to 18%, while among women it falls from 80% to 22%.
The Insola+ programme, funded by European funds, enabled almost 30% of its participants to improve their employment situation within six months. “Recovery isn’t just about giving up substance abuse. It also involves rebuilding life plans, strengthening family ties, and regaining the ability to enter the job market with confidence.”
