Mephedrone Addiction

There was a short period around 2009 – 2010 when mephedrone was one of Britain’s most talked about subjects. Sold legally online as plant food or bath salts, mephedrone seemed to explode onto the drug scene overnight. It was commonly known as “M-Cat” or “Meow Meow,” but a drug was causing countless damage beneath these quirky nicknames. The buzz around mephedrone may have died down since its ban in 2010, but for those struggling with mephedrone addiction, it can still be a devastating drug.

Cocaine powder

What is mephedrone?

Mephedrone is a synthetic stimulant that gives users a surge of energy, makes them feel ultra-sociable and provides a similar sense of invincibility to that of cocaine. It comes from the cathinone drug family, which is chemically similar to amphetamines and MDMA.

What does mephedrone do?

Mephedrone works by boosting levels of dopamine and serotonin, the brain’s “feel-good” chemicals, making everything feel more intense and exciting. This rush of pleasure is what has made mephedrone so popular so quickly, especially at parties or for clubgoers.

At first, mephedrone was considered a legal high because it wasn’t classified as an illegal substance in the UK. Like other legal highs such as Spice and Benzo-fury, this label can sometimes give people a false sense that these drugs are harmless. However, mephedrone side effects can be very serious and include severe anxiety, paranoia and heart problems.

These dangers soon became more apparent, and after several high-profile hospitalisations and deaths linked to mephedrone use, it was banned in the UK in 2010 and made a Class B drug.

What is mephedrone addiction?

Mephedrone addiction is when you lose control over your use and feel compelled to take mephedrone despite the harm it is causing you. It usually begins with using mephedrone at a party or a club, but the intense highs don’t last long, so you start craving that next hit almost as soon as the last one wears off.

Tolerance to mephedrone’s effects develops incredibly quickly, so even relatively new users soon start taking bigger and bigger amounts. These escalating doses saturate your body with mephedrone, which then causes physical and psychological dependence.

Physically, your body starts to believe that mephedrone is supposed to be there, so you experience withdrawal symptoms like fatigue, irritability and severe cravings when you try to stop. Psychologically, mephedrone takes over your mind, making it hard to enjoy anything without it and leading you to chase that high no matter the cost.

Before you know it, mephedrone can start to dominate your life, and you find yourself needing it every day rather than just using it at parties. This creates a relentless cycle of using mephedrone, dealing with the comedown and desperately seeking more of it, trapping you in a terrifying cycle of mephedrone addiction.

How to spot a developing mephedrone addiction

Recognising a developing mephedrone addiction can be tricky, especially when you are caught up in the highs or when all your friends are taking it too. However, there are some key signs to watch out for:

  • Starting off with just a small amount of mephedrone but soon needing ever-increasing amounts
  • Thinking about mephedrone when you’re not using it, especially if you feel like you can’t enjoy yourself without it
  • Struggling at work, school or home because you are always using mephedrone or are preoccupied with your supply
  • Using mephedrone alone to get through the day, cope with stress or avoid withdrawal
  • Lying to friends or family about how the reality of your mephedrone use
  • Being aware that you are losing control of mephedrone use but still not being able to stop

Spotting these signs and getting help as early as possible can give you the best chance of making a full and lasting recovery.

Who is most at risk of mephedrone addiction?

Mephedrone addiction doesn’t discriminate, but some people are more at risk than others due to a combination of factors. Understanding these can help you make smarter decisions about substance use:

Age

Mephedrone is most often used as a party or clubbing drug, so younger people are more likely to try it and become addicted.

Social environments

If you spend a lot of time around people who use mephedrone a lot, it is easier to fall into using it yourself and develop a mephedrone addiction.

Stress and mental health struggles

Those dealing with stress, anxiety, depression or other mental health issues may use mephedrone as an easily available form of self-medication. A psychological dependence can then develop, which then leads to a full-blown addiction.

Genetic predisposition

A high risk of addiction can be passed down from your parents in the same way as eye colour. This is why you may have noticed that addiction often runs in families.

Previous substance abuse

If you have had issues with other drugs or alcohol in the past, you might be more likely to develop an addiction to mephedrone. This is often because the underlying causes have not been addressed.

Cocaine powder

What are the long-term side effects of mephedrone addiction?

Mephedrone might give you a short-lived high, but the damage caused by mephedrone addiction can be devastating and long-lasting. Some of the most serious dangers include:

Mental health decline

Mephedrone addiction can wreak havoc on your mental health, leading to chronic anxiety, paranoia and severe depression. The comedowns alone can leave you feeling lower than ever, and this can snowball into lasting psychological issues.

Physical health problems

Regular mephedrone use can take a serious toll on your body. It can damage your heart, leading to issues like high blood pressure, palpitations and, in the most serious cases, heart attacks. It can also harm your liver and kidneys, which can create major health problems.

Cognitive issues

Mephedrone can mess with your brain, leading to memory problems, trouble concentrating and a general mental fog. These cognitive issues can stick around long after the high is gone, making everyday life difficult and distressing.

Harm to relationships

Mephedrone addiction can turn you into someone your loved ones barely recognise, sparking arguments and creating a wall of mistrust. As addiction takes over, you might start pulling away from the very people who care about you the most, leaving both you and them feeling isolated and hurt.

Financial and legal chaos

As your need for mephedrone grows, so does the amount of money you need to pour into it, pushing you into serious financial trouble. The desperation to keep up with mephedrone addiction can also lead you down dangerous paths, risking serious legal consequences, including prison.

How is mephedrone addiction treated?

At Oasis Runcorn, treatment for mephedrone addiction begins with <a href=”https://www.oasisrehab.co.uk/detox/drug/”>drug detox</a>. This is like hitting the reset button, flushing all the mephedrone out of your system and making sure you navigate withdrawal safely.

You will then begin <a href=”https://www.oasisrehab.co.uk/rehab/drug/”>drug rehab</a> where you will get to the heart of the issue, uncovering why you turned to mephedrone and replacing it with healthier habits. We mix traditional therapy with holistic treatments so you can start feeling like yourself again.

After rehab, we continue to support you through our aftercare programme, making sure you stay strong as you step back into the world so you can leave mephedrone behind for good.

Get help for mephedrone addiction today

Mephedrone may have once seemed like the life of the party, but addiction can turn it into a nightmare. If you are tired of the endless cycle of chasing that next high and dealing with the crash that follows, Oasis Runcorn is here to help. We can help you overcome mephedrone addiction and rebuild your life brick by brick. Reach out to us today, and let’s start writing the first chapter of your sober story.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does mephedrone stay in your system?
Mephedrone typically stays in your system for about one to three days, depending on factors like your metabolism, how much you have taken and how often you use it. While the high may wear off within a few hours, traces of the drug can still be detected in your urine for up to 72 hours, and it might linger even longer in your hair.
Can you overdose on mephedrone?
Yes, you can overdose on mephedrone, and the consequences can be severe. A mephedrone overdose can lead to symptoms like extreme agitation, chest pain, seizures and dangerously high blood pressure. In the worst cases, a mephedrone overdose can be fatal, so you should seek medical help right away if you spot these signs.
What are the dangers of mixing mephedrone with other substances?
Mixing mephedrone with other substances, especially alcohol or other stimulants, can be extremely dangerous. It can amplify the harmful effects, leading to severe dehydration, heart problems or even overdose. The mix can also intensify mental health issues like anxiety and paranoia, making the experience far more unpredictable and risky.

(Click here to see works cited)

  • UK-Rehab. “Mephedrone Addiction & Abuse.” UK-Rehab, https://www.uk-rehab.com/legal-high-addiction/mephedrone/. Accessed 22 August 2024.
  • UK Rehab. “Legal-High Addiction | Causes, Symptoms and Diagnosis.” UK Rehab, https://www.uk-rehab.com/legal-high-addiction/. Accessed 22 August 2024.
  • Loi, Barbara et al. “Deaths of individuals aged 16-24 years in the UK after using mephedrone.” Human psychopharmacology vol. 30,4 (2015): 225-32.
  • doi:10.1002/hup.2423
    NHS. “Mephedrone.” Lets Talk About It, https://www.letstalkaboutit.nhs.uk/directory-of-services/chemsex-support/mephedrone/. Accessed 22 August 2024.
  • FRANK. “Mephedrone | Mcat | Effects of Mephedrone.” FRANK, https://www.talktofrank.com/drug/mephedrone. Accessed 22 August 2024.
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