Legal High Addiction | Types, Symptoms and Effects

Legal highs, or New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) to give them their official name, are the chameleons of the drug world. They are lab-made drugs which are synthesised with the effects of illegal ones like ecstasy, cocaine and cannabis.

But don’t let the term “legal” fool you – while many NPS start out legal, as soon as the authorities understand the risks they pose, they are usually made illegal very quickly. In fact, the vast majority of drugs that are still referred to as legal highs in the UK have long been banned by the British government. This is because they are made with chemicals that are often untested, have unpredictable and dangerous effects and can be highly addictive.

Legal high abuse and addiction have become serious issues in the UK. In the year up to March 2023, almost 291,000 people were in drug and alcohol treatment services, many struggling with the impact of legal high addiction. Spice, one of the most dangerous legal highs, is especially prevalent and has caused major spikes in drug-related deaths, particularly in UK cities.

Legal highs, or New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) to give them their official name, are the chameleons of the drug world. They are lab-made drugs which are synthesised with the effects of illegal ones like ecstasy, cocaine and cannabis.

But don’t let the term “legal” fool you – while many NPS start out legal, as soon as the authorities understand the risks they pose, they are usually made illegal very quickly. In fact, the vast majority of drugs that are still referred to as legal highs in the UK have long been banned by the British government. This is because they are made with chemicals that are often untested, have unpredictable and dangerous effects and can be highly addictive.

Legal high abuse and addiction have become serious issues in the UK. In the year up to March 2023, almost 291,000 people were in drug and alcohol treatment services, many struggling with the impact of legal high addiction. Spice, one of the most dangerous legal highs, is especially prevalent and has caused major spikes in drug-related deaths, particularly in UK cities.

There have been various highly addictive legal drugs that have been made illegal over the past couple of decades. However, many of them continue to be available through drug dealers or through online stores where they are marketed as “bath salts” or “plant food”. While new highly addictive legal substances are emerging all the time, some of the most common legal high addictions in the UK include:

Legal highs have various effects on your body and brain, making them inherently habit-forming. However, the question of why some people are more prone to legal high addiction than others has a lot of layers.
For starters, genetics can tip the scales, so if addiction runs in your family, your brain chemistry might make it harder to resist or quit legal highs.
Mental health challenges like anxiety or depression can also increase the risk of legal high addiction. These drugs might feel like a quick way to take the edge off but they don’t address the real issues. In fact, legal high addiction often leads to worse mental health symptoms and increased drug use to try and dull the pain.
Where you live and who you are around matters, too, as easy access to legal highs or being in a social circle where drug use is common, both making legal high abuse seem less risky.
Your age and personality can also be factors as younger people are more likely to experiment with legal high abuse, especially if they are naturally curious or adventurous.

The dangers of legal high addiction can be serious and vary depending on what type of NPS you are taking.

Smoking legal highs can lead to serious lung problems while snorting NPS powders can cause substantial damage to your nose and throat. Many legal highs can also push your heart into overdrive, causing high blood pressure, irregular heartbeats or even heart failure.

But the risks aren’t just physical. Legal highs can leave your mind in chaos, with paranoia, anxiety and hallucinations that disconnect you from reality. And because legal highs are unregulated and made from unknown chemicals, you are playing Russian roulette with every use. Legal high overdose is a medical emergency and before you even realise you are in trouble, your life could be in danger.

On a personal level, legal high abuse and addiction can ruin your important relationships, cost you money that you can’t afford and affect your career and education. They can also put you in trouble with the law as, despite their name, these drugs are usually illegal, with fines and prison time both possibilities.