Mephedrone Addiction

Colloquially known as ‘MCAT’ or ‘Meow Meow,’ mephedrone is considered to be a high-risk drug close in mechanism to substances like LSD, cocaine and speed. In 2010, the UK Home Office amended the 1971 Misuse of Drugs Act. The amendment classified mephedrone as a Class B drug. This change highlights the significant risk posed by mephedrone, with the Crime Prevention Minister at the time stating: ‘“I am very concerned with the harm being caused to young people by these substances.”’ But what makes mephedrone so risky? How does mephedrone abuse turn to dependency, and what type of support is available for individuals dealing with mephedrone addiction?

What is mephedrone?

Mephedrone is a stimulant drug. Its main mechanism of action includes affecting the functioning of the central nervous system. As a stimulant, mephedrone acts in a mode similar to other psychoactive substances such as ecstasy and cocaine.

It is known as (4-methylmethcathinone) in the chemistry world, but on the street and on the drug market, mephedrone is also known by a long list of other names, such as:

• 4-MMC
• Bounce
• Bubble
• Charge
• Drone
• M-CAT
• M-Smack
• MC
• Meow Meow
• Meph
• Miow
• White Magic

Mephedrone is classed as a synthetic cathinone. This means that it is manufactured and taken for its stimulant properties. It is sometimes referred to as a ‘legal high.’

A pleasant mephedrone high may include the following sensations:

• Euphoria
• Excitement
• Increased confidence
• Feeling amiable and connected to others
• An increased sensitivity in the skin
• Increased libido

Many users also report more negative sensations, such as:

• Anxiety
• Panic attacks
• Dehydration
• Overheating
• Irritability
• Aggression
• Disorientation
• Palpitations
• Tachycardia
• Needing to use the toilet frequently

Like with other psychoactives, (especially hallucinogens) mephedrone highs can be very unpredictable. This means that they can vary from person to person, or even from use to use. You may experience a pleasant high consistently and then suddenly experience a ‘bad trip.’ This can increase the risk of using the drug due to its unpredictable effect on behaviour.

Mephedrone addiction

A study indicated that despite the drug’s classification as a Class B substance, mephedrone use was rising in London. The drug seems to be more common in the UK compared to the USA or Europe as a whole. Reports have shown a growing number of deaths linked to mephedrone, reflecting an increase in use and a higher prevalence of addiction to the substance.

Mephedrone addiction can often be psychological, with individuals becoming dependent on the drug. This leads to repeat and rapid use that can elevate associated health risks and deepen addiction.

Mephedrone addiction signs

There are some key side effects of mephedrone addiction. These include:

• Gurning (grinding teeth or moving jaw)
• Unpredictable boots in confidence
• Unpredictable boosts in libido
• High energy
• Temporary changes in sensory perception
• Blue fingers
• Damage to heart health
• Nosebleeds
• Sudden experiencing of hallucinations
• Difficulty sleeping
• Changes in memory

Other, more general signs of a substance addiction can manifest as:

• Very changeable moods
• Changes in sleep pattern
• Changes in eating pattern
• Changes in weight
• Aches or pains
• Lethargy
• Feeling (or being) sick
• Gastrointestinal issues
• Social withdrawal or avoiding being alone
• Aggression or irritability
• Paranoia
• Defensiveness
• Lying or hiding behaviours or whereabouts
• Financial difficulties
• Issues with work or school
• Strain in relationships
• Reduced attention to personal appearance

Why is it addictive?

Mephedrone impacts three key neurotransmitters:

1. Serotonin
2. Dopamine
3. Norepinephrine

This stimulation leads to a perceived increase in these neurotransmitters. As these all have a key role in our functioning, this alteration does two key things: firstly, it causes a high. Secondly, it can lead to the desire for repeat use, which can subsequently solidify addiction through a cycle of use that leads to physiological dependency.

Serotonin primarily regulates mood and digestion. The changes in serotonin levels can account for the euphoria of the high and the urgent need to use the toilet. The drop in serotonin associated with coming down can be very unpleasant for some, leading them to crave mephedrone consistently to combat this.

Dopamine regulates our feelings of pleasure- when we perceive an increase in dopamine, we can feel a rush of ‘good vibes.’ The issue with this is that we can begin to associate problematic behaviours with this, creating a sense of misplaced reward. This feeling of reward can establish a functioning cycle that starts to establish cycles of addiction.

Norepinephrine (or noradrenaline) is linked to our ‘arousal, attention, cognitive function and stress reactions.’ By stimulating this hormone, mephedrone risks catalysing significant feelings of anxiety and disordered response to stress. This can lead to individuals seeking mephedrone as a method for coping with distress tolerance.

Help for mephedrone addiction

If you are dealing with mephedrone addiction, therapeutic support often takes two forms:

1. Mephedrone detox
2. Mephedrone rehab

Together, these elements can form a multidimensional intervention when it is needed the most. Clinically informed rehab support is the best way of minimising the risk of mephedrone addiction. Appropriate and well-timed treatment can significantly decrease the risk of medical harm and potential of overdose. Besides this increase of physical safety, rehab for mephedrone can offer a life-changing package of psychological support designed to tackle underlying difficulties that may have led to addiction with the ultimate goal of relapse prevention and long-term sobriety.

Seek support

Here at Banbury Lodge, we can help you take the steps to move towards an addiction-free future.  Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation with a member of our team. We are here to lend a listening, non-judgemental ear and guide you through potential options for your next steps towards sobriety. Addiction is a heavy weight to carry, but you do not need to bear it alone. We are available to talk you through the bespoke rehab packages we offer to help you find the most appropriate treatment for your current needs.

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