Mephedrone Addiction Treatment

Quick info

Mephedrone is a synthetic stimulant belonging to a class of drugs known as cathinones. It is designed to mimic the effects of substances such as cocaine and MDMA and has often been associated with party, dance and rave culture.

Mephedrone is also commonly referred to as MCAT, so searches for MCAT detox, MCAT rehab or MCAT withdrawal relate directly to mephedrone addiction treatment. In reality, use is not limited to any one demographic and the drug may be taken recreationally by people of all ages.

Although it has sometimes been grouped with “legal highs,” mephedrone is illegal in the UK. It is classified as a Class B drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act. Possession can result in up to 5 years’ imprisonment or an unlimited fine, while supply and production can carry sentences of up to 14 years in prison or an unlimited fine.

Addiction risk

During periods of heightened popularity in the early 2010s, mephedrone use was widely reported among club and party scenes, with users often describing intense, short-lived effects that encouraged repeated dosing. Its stimulant properties led some to compare its effects favourably to cocaine, which may have contributed to patterns of frequent use.

This cycle of short duration and repeated redosing increases the likelihood of problematic use developing over time, raising the risk of mephedrone addiction in some individuals.

When mephedrone use begins to spiral, there may be a need for rehabilitative intervention. Treatment for mephedrone dependency often takes place in two stages:

1. Detox
2. Rehab

A structured mephedrone addiction treatment programme supports both physical detox and long-term psychological recovery.

This two-pronged approach consolidates both the physical and psychological health effects related to mephedrone use. The aim of this treatment is to:

• Reduce cravings
• End the cycle of addiction
• Address underlying factors contributing to drug use
• Address dual diagnosis where present
• Increase distress tolerance
• Implement safer coping strategies
• Building resilience and self-awareness
• Learning relapse prevention strategies [9]

The beginning of mephedrone addiction treatment involves the process of mephedrone withdrawal. This is known as a detox. This phase addresses the physiological impact that heavy drug use can have on an individual. Mephedrone detox (also referred to as MCAT detox) helps manage withdrawal symptoms safely under professional support. By ceasing the use of mephedrone, the body will begin to react. This is because the body begins to adapt to functioning with the drug in the system, meaning that without it, it can experience difficult withdrawal symptoms.

These symptoms can include:

• Anxiety
• Lethargy
• Difficulty sleeping
• Cravings
• Shaking
• Sweating
• Low mood

Withdrawals from mephedrone can appear within the first day (or even hours) after your last use. These can then last for several weeks.

Day 1-2

After coming down from your first use, you may experience cravings as the drug is metabolised and leaves the body. This could leave you thinking about mephedrone, feeling anxious or itching to get another dose. You may also start feeling low or irritable at this stage. Physical symptoms such as nausea, sweating, or shakiness may begin.

Day 3-7

This is the peak of withdrawal. Day 3-5 is often the most difficult to weather. At this stage, you may find yourself questioning your choice to detox. This is normal, and pushing through this conflict can lead you towards completing detox successfully.

Week 1 -2

Symptoms will start to tailor off at this stage. They may be present but will not feel as all-encompassing as they were in the earlier stages of detoxing.

It is possible to detox at home rather than in a rehab clinic. However, due to the various mephedrone withdrawal symptoms that can be experienced, it is always best practice that you seek support and advice from a medical practitioner before beginning a detox. This reduces the risk of medical complications such as dehydration, seizure or severe psychological distress.

Detox addresses the effects of mephedrone on our bodies. When it is safe to do so, therapy can be implemented to begin targeting the psychological elements of addiction. Mephedrone rehab (or MCAT rehab) focuses on long-term recovery, relapse prevention and behavioural change. We know that addiction can be caused by psychological pressures (such as a mental health condition or a traumatic event), but we also know that addiction can cause additional psychological pressures. This could include secondary emotions such as guilt, shame, or anger. Working through the psychological elements that both underpin and accompany addiction is essential for moving towards an addiction-free future. Doing so can help us to:

• Accept the presence of an addiction
• Establish contributing factors
• Address trauma
• Confront difficult emotions
• Establish responsibility for our wellbeing
• Challenge deep-set thought and behavioural patterns

Often, achieving this means engaging in a range of therapeutic interventions. This is because each type of therapy has specific strengths. By targeting areas that you may need support in, it is possible to design a bespoke treatment programme that weaves several types of therapy together. This is referred to as a multidimensional approach.

It means that you could engage with several of the following types of therapy:

• 12- Step Therapy
• Art Therapy
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• Dialectical Behavioural Therapy
• Group Therapy
• Individual Therapy
• Family Therapy
• Trauma Therapy
• Sound Therapy
• Meditation
• Mindfulness

Each type of therapy follows its own set of principles. For example, cognitive behavioural therapy focuses on the link between thoughts, feelings and behaviours, emphasising how altering one or more of these can begin to affect the others. This could help unpick the catalyst that led you to mephedrone initially.

On the other hand, sound therapy may be used to integrate a holistic treatment that considers our well-being as comprising body, mind and soul. This can be a useful way of rebalancing our sense of self after being influenced by stimulants for a prolonged period.

Group therapy can provide healthy connections and peer support. This can lead to strong relationships in a safe and non-drug-centric environment.

Here at Banbury Lodge, we can help you take the steps to move towards an addiction-free future.  Our mephedrone addiction treatment programmes include detox, rehab and aftercare support for long-term recovery. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation with a member of our team. We are here to lend a listening, non-judgmental 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.