Legal High Addiction

If you go back far enough, most drugs, even ones we now recognise to be incredibly dangerous, were legal at one point. Cocaine was found in Coca-Cola and cough syrups; heroin was used as a painkiller, and methamphetamine was prescribed for everything from ADHD to obesity. However, there are a new group of “legal highs” which have emerged more recently and which can be incredibly addictive. Anyone who is using these drugs must understand the risks of legal high addiction and the harm it can cause to users, their families and entire communities.

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What are legal highs?

Legal highs, also known as New Psychoactive Substances (NPS), are designed to produce the same effects as traditional illegal drugs. They are called legal highs because they usually start out as drugs that haven’t been banned yet. This is often because drug manufacturers tweak the chemical formulas just enough to stay ahead of the law, making them technically legal – at least for a while.

But just because they might not be illegal at first doesn’t mean legal highs are safe. In fact, legal high drugs can be incredibly dangerous, especially because they are often made with unknown, untested chemicals. Legal high effects can be unpredictable, leading to serious health risks, including drug addiction, overdose and even death.

What are some examples of legal high addiction?

New forms of legal high drugs are popping up all the time. Some are completely new substances while others are slight adaptations of existing drugs designed to get around bans on specific chemical formulas. Not all of these go on to become widely used substances, but some of the most commonly found legal high addictions in the UK include:

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Benzo-fury addiction

Benzo-fury is a synthetic stimulant that was once sold as a “legal” alternative to drugs like MDMA as it produces similar effects. However, it was made illegal in 2013 due to its addictiveness and potentially dangerous reactions in many users.

Benzo-fury addiction →

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Mephedrone addiction

Mephedrone, often known as “meow meow” or “MCAT,” is another synthetic stimulant that gained massive popularity in the UK around 2010-2011. It creates an intense rush, a little like cocaine or methamphetamine, but addiction can develop quickly alongside nasty side effects like anxiety, paranoia and physical health issues.

Mephedrone addiction →

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Spice addiction

Spice is a synthetic cannabis and is one of the most dangerous legal highs out there. It is a mix of herbs sprayed with chemicals that mimic the effects of THC but are often far more unpredictable and potent, often leading to severe addiction. People addicted to Spice can experience extreme mood swings, hallucinations and even life-threatening health problems.

Spice addiction →

What is legal high addiction?

Legal high addiction is like getting caught in quicksand – you start off thinking it’s just a bit of fun or a way to relax but before you know it, you are stuck and sinking fast.

Legal high addiction usually begins with experimenting, trying to chase a certain high or escape from reality for a while. This can work at first but as you take more legal highs, they stop producing the same effects unless you begin to up your dose.

This increased use can then make you physically dependent on the drug. This is not exactly the same as addiction, but it is usually the first major step towards it. Physical dependency means your body starts to believe it needs legal highs in your system at all times, so if you stop taking them, it reacts in protest. Even reducing how much you are taking can make you feel shaky, anxious or even sick, so you keep using.

As your body’s need grows, so does your mind’s, and what started as just a physical dependence transitions into a psychological one. This means you are not just using legal highs to avoid feeling bad but because you convince yourself that you need them.

This cycle of dependency is what makes legal high addiction so dangerous, pulling you further and further away from the life you once knew. But just like quicksand, the harder you try to escape on your own, the deeper you might sink, making it crucial to get help before you can’t get out.

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How can you recognise legal high addiction?

Some people may not even realise that legal highs can be addictive because “legal” drugs are surely safe. This misconception, both on the legality and safety of legal highs, can provide a backdoor for legal high addiction to sneak in and start causing chaos. Here are some of the signs you need to be aware of:

  • You’re constantly thinking about your next hit, planning your day around when you can use legal highs
  • Work, school and family commitments are falling by the wayside as legal highs take over
  • You are doing things you never thought you would, like taking risks or breaking the law to get more legal highs
  • You are keeping your legal high use a secret, lying to loved ones and pulling away from people who care
  • Your finances are in a mess because all your money seems to be disappearing on legal highs
  • You are making excuses to use legal highs, even though you promised yourself you would cut back
  • You are having health problems, but you are ignoring them, blaming everything but the drugs

Recognising these signs early on can make a huge difference, allowing you to seek help before legal high addiction takes an even stronger hold on your life.

What are the health dangers of legal highs?

Different legal highs can pose a range of different health and personal dangers. Legal highs which are smoked can cause serious respiratory issues, while powders that are snorted can damage your nose and throat. Some legal highs can create major heart issues like palpitations, high blood pressure and even heart attacks, especially when taken in large doses or mixed with other substances.

The psychological effects of legal high addiction can be just as severe, leading to paranoia, hallucinations and severe anxiety. You might start to feel disconnected from reality, unable to trust your own thoughts and feelings as legal highs create a thick mental fog.

One of the most terrifying dangers is the risk of overdose. Because legal highs are often unregulated, you never really know what you’re taking or how strong it is. This unpredictability can easily lead to taking too much, with potentially fatal consequences.

How is legal high addiction treated?

Treating legal high addiction starts with getting the body clean through drug detox. This can be tricky because of withdrawal, but Oasis Runcorn has an experienced medical and therapy team who can plan your detox and guide you through it.

The next step is drug rehab, which will unveil the reasons you started using legal highs in the first place and teach you to live without them. This involves various types of therapy to help you rebuild your life without the crutch of legal highs.

Aftercare then keeps you connected to support once you’re back in the real world through outpatient group therapy. This will help you stay on track and avoid slipping back into legal high use.

Get help for legal high addiction today

If you are caught in the talons of legal high addiction, Oasis Runcorn can help break its grip. We have guided many people out of addiction, and our expert team is dedicated to finding the best path for you. Take that first step towards a brighter, drug-free future—reach out to us today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is most at risk of legal high addiction?
People who are most at risk of legal high addiction are those who might already be struggling with stress, anxiety or mental health issues and are looking for a quick escape. Young people, especially with friends who use a lot of drugs, can also be particularly vulnerable. People with family who have substance abuse issues may also have a genetic risk of developing addiction.
What personal problems can legal high addiction cause?
Legal high addiction can create a whirlwind of personal problems. You might find yourself spending less and less time with friends and family, struggling to keep up at work or school, and constantly worrying about where you are going to get legal highs from. Your relationships can be hurt as trust breaks down, and you might start feeling isolated and alone. On top of that, you could have financial and legal difficulties that can ruin your life.
What is the UK legislation regarding legal highs?
In the UK, legal highs were banned under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016. This law made it illegal to produce, supply or import any psychoactive substances that weren’t already controlled by other drug laws. The idea was to crack down on the sale and distribution of these dangerous substances, which were often sold as “safe” alternatives to illegal drugs.

(Click here to see works cited)

  • UK Rehab. “Legal-High Addiction | Causes, Symptoms and Diagnosis.” UK Rehab, https://www.uk-rehab.com/legal-high-addiction/. Accessed 21 August 2024
  • UK Rehab. “Spice Addiction | Causes, Symptoms and Diagnosis.” UK Rehab, https://www.uk-rehab.com/legal-high-addiction/spice/. Accessed 21 August 2024.
  • GOV.UK. “Legal Highs.” GOV.UK, https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a79849d40f0b63d72fc679a/legal-highs-postcard.pdf. Accessed 21 August 2024.
  • Office for National Statistics. “Deaths related to drug poisoning in England and Wales: 2022 registrations.” Office for National Statistics, 19 December 2023, https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/bulletins/deathsrelatedtodrugpoisoninginenglandandwales/2022registrations. Accessed 21 August 2024.
  • Garus-Pakowska, Anna et al. “The Scale of Intoxications with New Psychoactive Substances over the Period 2014-2020-Characteristics of the Trends and Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Example of Łódź Province, Poland.” International journal of environmental research and public health vol. 19,8 4427. 7 Apr. 2022, doi:10.3390/ijerph19084427. Accessed 21 August 2024.