Last Updated:

May 16th, 2025

Mephedrone Addiction | Symptoms, Effects and Causes

Around 2009-2010, mephedrone made a dramatic entry into the UK’s drug market, becoming an instant hit among party-goers due to its low cost and easy accessibility. For a few short years, mephedrone skirted legal restrictions and could be bought online by anybody who wanted to try it. However, the party didn’t last long as the darker side of mephedrone came to light, marked by serious health dangers and mephedrone addiction. Although now banned, mephedrone continues to circulate on the black market, with mephedrone addiction and abuse still huge risks to users.

Mephedrone-Addiction-Man-Having-Panic-Attack

What is mephedrone?

Nicknamed “meow meow” and “MCAT”, mephedrone is a powerful synthetic stimulant usually snorted in its powder form. It is a cathinone which is a group of drugs based on compounds found in the khat plant. This plant is chewed for its stimulating effects in regions of East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, much like coca leaves are in South America.

However, as with cocaine and coca leaves, mephedrone is far more potent than the khat plant. It produces a powerful high that is like a combination of the effects of ecstasy and cocaine. Users feel super confident, chatty and outgoing and can stay up for days without sleep.

These effects made mephedrone hugely popular when it first emerged in Britain at the end of the 2000s, especially as it could be bought legally at the time. As with many so-called “legal highs”, however, the UK government soon became aware of its dangers, and following a spate of deaths and hospitalisations, mephedrone was named a Class-B drug in 2011.

Some of the side effects of mephedrone include:

  • Insomnia
  • Memory loss
  • Teeth grinding
  • Hallucinations
  • Erratic mood swings and behaviour
  • Heightened arousal – this is why mephedrone chemsex (sex while under the influence of drugs)  is very common among mephedrone users
  • Mephedrone addiction

What is mephedrone addiction?

Mephedrone addiction means that you are unable to stop using mephedrone even though it is damaging your health or well-being. At a molecular level, mephedrone significantly boosts dopamine and serotonin in the brain. This intensifies feelings of pleasure, making it highly tempting to use mephedrone repeatedly.

The problem is that mephedrone effects on the brain are short-lived, and tolerance is developed very quickly. This means you quickly start taking mephedrone in larger and larger amounts to try to keep the high going and prevent a crash.

Before you know it, you are physically dependent on mephedrone, with cravings and other withdrawal symptoms gnawing away at you until you use it again. But the grip of mephedrone addiction extends beyond physical dependency, embedding itself as a remedy for emotional struggles like stress or boredom. This habit can overwhelm your life, leading you to chase the next high while your health, relationships and overall happiness crumble.

How to spot the early signs of mephedrone addiction

Legal highs such as mephedrone don’t always trigger immediate concern due to their low profile but spotting addiction signs and symptoms early is vital for recovery. Here are some of the first symptoms to be aware of:

  • Being unable to think about or prioritise anything other than mephedrone.
  • Feeling that parties, gatherings or nights out are boring without mephedrone.
  • Early withdrawal symptoms like restlessness or anxiety kicking in between doses.
  • Financial struggles from spending too much on mephedrone.
  • Placing less or no importance on hobbies and social life anymore.
  • Falling out with your loved ones because of your mephedrone use or behaviour.
  • Using mephedrone even though deep down you know there is a growing problem.

Mephedrone-Addiction-Women-Feeling-Depression

It can be scary when you first notice these issues. The important thing is not to panic and to seek professional help for mephedrone addiction right away.

What causes a mephedrone addiction?

While its habit-forming potential stems from mephedrone effects on the brain, not everyone who takes mephedrone is equally at risk. Here are some of the factors that can affect your susceptibility:

Genetic makeup
Genetics can set the stage for addiction, making you more likely to fall into mephedrone’s grip if there is a history of substance abuse in your family. This is why children who have parents with addiction issues, often develop similar problems.
Mental health and self-medication
On top of this, existing mental health challenges like anxiety or depression can make you more vulnerable. This is because you might use mephedrone to self-medicate, only to find that it aggravates your symptoms over time, leading to increased use.
Environment and availability
Your immediate environment also has a strong impact on drug use behaviours. For example, if mephedrone is easy to obtain or commonly used among your friends, it can affect your decisions which was seen a lot during mephedrone’s rampant abuse at the end of the 2000s.
Misunderstanding mephedrone risks
On top of all that, the misunderstanding of mephedrone’s legality and effects can further mislead people, increasing the risk of addiction. This was also seen during mephedrone’s rise as a popular yet misleadingly termed “legal high.”

The mental and physical dangers of a mephedrone addiction

When mephedrone first appeared, its risks were not immediately recognised by users or authorities. However, as incidents of harm and addiction rose, the understanding of its dangers grew clearer. Some of the most scary and potentially serious include:

Mephedrone overdose
The unpredictability of mephedrone’s strength and contents makes overdosing a major hazard. Users can unexpectedly consume potent doses leading to critical health crises like severe chest pain, seizures, comas and fatal increases in blood pressure.
Enduring physical health damage
The physical toll from abusing mephedrone includes serious cardiovascular risks, possibly causing irreversible damage to your heart. How you take mephedrone also contributes to these health problems. For example, snorting can lead to nasal tissues being damaged while injecting mephedrone can cause vascular injuries, abscesses and a heightened risk of contracting diseases.
Psychological harm
The psychological toll of mephedrone addiction is also profound. Users often struggle with heightened anxiety, unpredictable paranoia and debilitating depression. Mephedrone abuse can also make it hard to focus or remember things, making daily life increasingly difficult.

How to help someone with a mephedrone addiction

The first step in overcoming addiction involves a medically planned mephedrone detox. This process provides a safe environment to handle mephedrone withdrawal symptoms, avoiding the dangers and discomfort of attempting to quit “cold turkey” at home by yourself.

After completing detox, the journey continues in legal high rehab, where the focus shifts to uncovering the deeper reasons behind your addiction to mephedrone. This can be done at a private centre or an NHS facility, with both offering advantages and disadvantages.

However, most addiction experts believe inpatient programmes are the most effective because they shield you from external pressures, saving all your energy and focus for recovery.

Where to get help for mephedrone addiction

If mephedrone addiction has taken hold of you, Addiction Helper is ready to assist. We provide insights into effective treatment strategies and help you make the best informed decision on what is right for you. Whether you are located, we can help you secure a recovery programme that addresses your personal needs. Reach out to us today to learn more about your options and choose a recovery path with confidence.

Reclaim Your Life Today

Our compassionate team are ready and available to take your call, and guide you towards lasting the lasting addiction recovery you deserve.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can mephedrone addiction lead to compulsive skin-picking?
Yes, mephedrone addiction can cause compulsive skin picking, often due to a mix of psychological and neurological effects. The drug overstimulates the brain, leading to intense restlessness and anxiety which can make you pick at yourself unconsciously. Some users also experience tactile hallucinations, which can make it feel like bugs are crawling under the skin, leading them to scratch or pick obsessively. Over time, this can cause open sores, scarring and infections.
Does mephedrone addiction cause grinding teeth?
Yes, mephedrone addiction can cause grinding of teeth, known medically as bruxism. This usually happens because mephedrone stimulates the nervous system which can lead to involuntary actions like teeth grinding both during mephedrone use and comedown. Bruxism doesn’t carry any serious health risks but it can be a good way to spot mephedrone abuse.
Can addiction to mephedrone cause chronic nosebleeds?
Yes, chronic nosebleeds can be a consequence of mephedrone addiction, particularly if the drug is frequently snorted. The habit can damage the delicate tissues inside the nose, leading to persistent nosebleeds. In the most serious cases, mephedrone abuse could permanently damage your nose.

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