Mephedrone Addiction | Signs, Symptoms and Effects

Mephedrone, often called “MCAT” or “meow meow”, is a synthetic stimulant that is usually snorted as a powder. It is part of the cathinone class of drugs that are based on a natural compound found in the khat plant. This is traditionally chewed in East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula for its mild stimulating effects, much like the coca plant is chewed in South America.

Mephedrone became a favourite among young people looking to party in the late 2000s, promising the euphoria of MDMA and the buzz of amphetamines, all wrapped up in a package that was cheap, accessible, and, for a brief time at least, legal. However, following reports of dangerous side effects and even fatal overdoses, mephedrone was banned in the UK in 2011 and named a Class B drug.

Common mephedrone effects include a quick hit of energy, confidence and sociability, but it also brings troubling side effects like teeth grinding, memory lapses, hallucinations and erratic behaviour.

Before its ban, mephedrone was widely available, particularly online where it was sold as “plant food”. While its illegality has seen a major reduction in mephedrone abuse, the drug is still circulating with the same enormous risks.

Mephedrone addiction is when what seemed like harmless fun turns into something you can’t control. At first, mephedrone might look like an easy way to de-stress or boost your night out, but it can quickly reveal its darker side.
The descent to legal high addiction often starts with tolerance as your body adapts and demands more mephedrone to give you the same high. This tolerance can develop incredibly quickly, and soon, people may find themselves staying up multiple days in a row taking mephedrone.

Soon, physical dependence sets in, where withdrawal symptoms like cravings, anxiety and restlessness cause you to keep using mephedrone even though you are starting to notice the issues it is causing.
As well as this physical hold, mephedrone abuse can soon become your way to deal with stress, sadness or even boredom. The result is a life increasingly dominated by the pursuit of the next dose, with your health, relationships and happiness all paying the price.

On a chemical level, mephedrone abuse elevates the brain’s dopamine and serotonin levels, turning up the pleasure dial and making it hard to resist taking it again. But mephedrone addiction risks are not the same for everyone, and there are a few reasons for that:

Mephedrone addiction treatment begins with detox, a vital first step where your body learns to function without needing it anymore. Withdrawal symptoms can make this stage challenging, but Recovery Lighthouse will plan and supervise your detox to ensure everything goes smoothly and safely.
After that, rehab is where you take the next big leap. Through therapy, you will learn to spot and solve the challenges that have kept you tied to mephedrone. During this vital stage of legal high addiction treatment, you will rebuild your confidence, relationships and ability to enjoy life without mephedrone.
Aftercare will then ensure your recovery stays strong. With free group therapy each week for a full year and our supportive Alumni resources and events, you will have everything you need to keep moving forward.