Mephedrone Rehab
Mephedrone rehab treatment enquires have dramatically increased over the course of the year as more information becomes available and the addictive nature of the drug becomes more apparant. Mephedrone (otherwise called “M-cat” or “meow meow”) is one of the new wave of “designer drugs,” and was sold openly for some time under the guise of “fertiliser” or “bath salts.” The colour of mephedrone can be anything from white to yellow, and the drug is a crystalline powder. There hasn’t been much formal study into the drug’s effects, but first-hand reports have provided drug rehab centres with a basic understanding of it.Mephedrone is usually snorted in the same way as cocaine, but it can also be swallowed, smoked, and even injected. When snorted, the drug seeps in through the nasal tissue and rushes into the bloodstream. This results the effects taking hold faster, but not as quickly as when it’s injected. Some users swallow mephedrone in small wraps (called “bombs”), and it can also be bought in pill-form. If the drug is swallowed, it has to be digested and therefore won’t take hold as quickly. The most dangerous method of administration is injecting, because it opens users up to infectious diseases and can damage the veins.
The effects of mephedrone are commonly compared to those of MDMA, amphetamines and cocaine. The user feels euphoria, accompanied by talkativeness, confidence and a deeper feeling of “connection” with others. The drug can also cause physical symptoms, such as reduced hunger, nausea, changes in body temperature and vertigo. Psychologically, users can sometimes feel anxious, agitated or paranoid. Users also frequently report increased heartbeat or palpitations when on mephedrone, and this is an area of concern for drug rehab centres.
People with heart problems may be particularly at risk from mephedrone use. Reports of racing or irregular heartbeat and palpitations are common, and indicate that the drug puts stress on the heart. Many users have also reported cold or blue fingers, which is a sign of reduced circulation to the extremities. These symptoms can also be accompanied with hot flushes, muscle tension and blurred vision. The complete mechanism of action for mephedone is unknown, and consequently more research is needed on its risks and effects.
Most of the fully verifiable risks of mephedrone relate to the specific methods of taking the drug. For example, severe nosebleeds have often been reported by users who snort the drug. HIV and hepatitis can be contracted through contaminates needles, and drug rehab centres routinely test for these infections in at-risk patients. Combining mephedrone with other drugs, such as MDMA, can result in overheating, which is a prevalent cause of death amongst the reports.
Although more research needs to be conducted, anecdotal evidence from drug rehab centres indicates that frequent mephedrone use causes psychological dependence and cravings during abstinence. Users build up a tolerance to the drug over time, and their brain simultaneously becomes more dependent on it. Eventually, users graduate to larger and larger doses and thereby compound the addictive effects. “Fiending” is commonly reported, which is when an individual keeps taking mephedrone in one session until they’ve exhausted their supply. Drug rehab programs tackle this addictive behaviour through counselling, which aims to address the root cause of the person’s problem.
If you or a loved one is having trouble with mephedrone addiction, we can help you find the right drug rehab program for your needs. We have a thorough knowledge of the different facilities available and the different treatments offered by each. We can explain the therapeutic models to you and help you decide which is best for your circumstances. Our advice is completely free, so pick up the phone and see what we can do for you! We know addiction affects more than just the individual, and we’re here to help.