The effects of the drug Cat

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The effects of the drug Cat

26 November, 2021Articles, News

Cat is one of the most commonly abused drugs in South Africa. Due to its highly addictive composition and its popularity as a drug used in tandem with downers, at Crossroads Recovery Centres we have a vast amount of experience with facilitating the detox process from this potent substance. This brief guide will familiarise you with what the drug cat is and how addicts are detoxed from it.

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Methcathinone (also known as mephedrone) is an addictive psychoactive substance, and abuse of this drug is rapidly increasing in South Africa. A common street name for Methcathinone is ‘CAT’, and its use is mostly associated with the club and rave scenes. There is no medical or pharmaceutical use for this substance and it is mainly produced in illicit ‘Cat labs’, for recreational purposes. According to reports there has been an increase in the use of the drug cat since 2010.

It is often used as a substitute for other stimulants such as cocaine and ecstasy. Cat is not to be confused with the Khat plant, the leaves of which are chewed as a central nervous system stimulant.

The effects of Cat have been described as being very similar to that of cocaine. Unlike cocaine, the ‘high’ effect can last up to six hours, making this a very popular recreational drug. Overdose can occur with any quantity of drug used, and the user is always at risk. Overdose may cause seizures, an increase in body temperature, respiratory failure, coma, and/or death.

Common side-effects include :

Intense feelings of euphoria
Increased energy
Increased confidence
Loss of appetite
Dilated pupils
Feelings of love or empathy towards others
Sociability and talkativeness

Adverse effects of Cat include:

Nausea
Damage to the nasal cavities
Nosebleeds
Involuntary teeth grinding
Hallucinations
Blurred vision
Loss of appetite
Mental confusion
Muddled speech
Liver, kidney, lung and cardiovascular damage with prolonged use
The loss of the ability to make rational decisions
Depression
Anxiety
Memory loss
Insomnia
Amphetamine psychosis
Paranoid delusions
Suspicion
Violent behaviour
Symptoms similar to those of Parkinson’s disease from injecting the drug
Greater risk of stroke, coma or death resulting from a blood pressure increase and an irregular cardiac rate

If you or a loved one needs assistance an addiction to Cat – know that help is readily available. The road to recovery is not always an easy one but getting yourself or your loved one the best possible care from the team at Crossroads Recovery Centre, provides you with a map to sober, healthy living. No matter how bad things seem, there is hope and it’s only a phone call away. If you or anyone close to you needs help with an addiction to sex, gambling, substances, alcohol or food, please contact us for a free assessment.

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Book a No Obligation Confidential Assessment at your nearest Treatment Centre Today.

Johannesburg Admissions: +27 74 895 1043

Pretoria Admissions: +27 82 653 3311

Stories of Recovery

The encouragement, love and support from the team at Crossroads allowed me to eventually see that I was worth something - that my life could be turned around and that I could accomplish the things that had long been a forgotten dream.
Oliver VG
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On the last day of my stint at Crossroads I could only express gratitude towards all who works there. A wise councillor once commented on my question when one is ready for rehab by explaining that when one is ready for rehab, rehab is ready for you.
Johan B
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I was lost and my soul was broken until I ended up at Crossroads and was introduced to the Twelve Steps. With the help of their excellent staff and amazing support I have recently been clean for 18 months, I could not have done it without them!
Carla S
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"Just for today I am more than three years in recovery. I have Cross Roads to thank for this wonderful gift. Cross Roads helped me to set a firm foundation in my recovery on which I can continue to build."
Angelique J
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What you need to know about Crystal Meth A.K.A Tik

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Home / Posts tagged "#Narcotics"

What you need to know about Crystal Meth A.K.A Tik

17 January, 2020Articles, News

What is Crystal Meth?

Crystal meth is short for crystal methamphetamine and comes in a crystalized form that may look a lot like course salt and has a brownish tint to it. The drug can be used either by crushing it and snorting it through a note or straw, smoking it in a bulb or injecting it directly into the bloodstream.

Methamphetamine is placed in the same class as cocaine and other street drugs and is considered to be an upper. It has many popular street names in South Africa, the most common of which is “Tik”. Tik is specifically popular within the Cape Flats. It can be considered a popular party or “rave” drug as it is commonly used to keep the user awake for long periods and provides them with lots of energy.

It is usually made from a mixture of amphetamine and common chemicals that can be found in your everyday household. Common cold tablets can often be used. These are mixed in laboratories and can lead to dangerous consequences such as explosions whilst being made.

How does it work?

Crystal methamphetamine effects the central nervous system when used. It is highly addictive and often gets users hooked from the first try. Crystal meth creates a rush to the brain by filling it rapidly with high levels of dopamine. This creates an immense feeling of pleasure. Long-term use can cause the user to become dependent and effects the brains ability to produce and use dopamine naturally. The result of this, is that the user can experience high amounts of depression due to low dopamine levels which causes the user to want more of the drug. Meth can cause an increased heart rate, excessive sweating and fast breathing. It also causes the user to have high amounts of energy and allows them to stay awake for hours on end. Users are also believed to have an increased concentration span.

The signs of crystal meth misuse

The following signs and symptoms can be an indication of crystal meth usage :

Increased physical activity
Increased blood pressure and breathing rate
Elevated body temperature and heavy sweating
Dilated pupils
Loss of appetite and sleeplessness
Paranoia
Euphoria
Unpredictable behaviour
Restlessness
Nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea
Tremors
Dry mouth and bad breath
Uncontrollable jaw clenching

If any of these symptoms are present in your loved one, there may be a possibility that they may be addicted to crystal meth and they should be advised to seek out help if possible.

The side effects of crystal meth

Side effects of crystal meth can become quite serious to the user themselves. Side effects may also include anxiety and depression, violent behaviour, seizures and even an overdose and death. It can also have psychological effects such as drug-induced psychosis.

Treatment for Crystal Meth Addiction

If you or a loved one finds themselves addicted to crystal meth, it is important to seek out help sooner rather than later as the drug is highly addictive. Intervention should be done immediately and the reason for the drug being taken established as soon as possible a this can help with the recovery process. It is important for the individual to be placed under a detox programme which can be done through the nearest treatment facility and a programme of recovery such as a 12-step programme can help the addict get through their addiction.

Dominique Le Claire Rossouw