Legal high Addiction

The term “legal highs” is incredibly misleading as it suggests that these drugs are both legal and safe. The reality is far different, and many legal highs are just as dangerous and addictive as more “traditional” illegal drugs. Unfortunately, misconceptions about legal highs have seen many otherwise successful and well-informed individuals fall into the trap of legal high addiction. When this happens, the consequences can be immediate and destructive, with professional treatment and support required to rebuild lives, careers and relationships.

What are legal highs?

Legal highs, also commonly known as New Psychoactive Substances (NPS), are synthetic drugs designed to mimic the effects of illegal drugs like cocaine, cannabis and ecstasy. These substances often include a wide range of chemicals, many of which have never been tested on humans and which have both short- and long-term health risks.

The appeal of legal highs often lies in their availability and the misconception that legality equates to safety. These substances are frequently sold online or in head shops, often under innocuous names like “bath salts,” “plant food,” or “herbal incense.” However, their chemical compositions constantly change to evade legal restrictions, meaning users can only be partially sure what they are consuming.

Many drugs, which are still called “legal highs”, have long been banned by the UK government due to their dangerous effects and potential for addiction.

Some of the most commonly abused legal highs include:

Spice and other synthetic cannabinoids like salvia and K2
Mephedrone (commonly known as “Meow Meow”)
Bath salts and other synthetic cathinones
Nitrous oxide (laughing gas)
Benzo fury

Legal high addiction explained

Legal high addiction refers to physical and psychological dependency reaching a point where all control over use is lost. This dependency comes at the expense of regard for personal health, relationships and careers.

Legal high addiction develops similarly to other forms of drug addiction, driven by their powerful psychoactive effects and the user’s desire to replicate or sustain the high. Many individuals, including successful professionals, may start using legal highs out of curiosity, believing that these substances are safer because they are legally available. The initial use often occurs at parties or other social settings, and only experimental doses are used.

After only a few occasions of experimental use, the body can build a tolerance, where the person now requires larger doses to achieve the same effects. The resulting high concentrations of drugs in their system then create:

Physical dependency – where they experience withdrawal symptoms without the substance.
Psychological dependency – where they believe they need the drug to function or cope with daily stress

These two dependencies together are the foundations of a full-blown legal high addiction.

Why are legal highs addictive?

Various factors make legal highs particularly addictive, even among individuals who have never taken drugs before. These include:

Misconception of safety

The term “legal” can create a false sense of security, leading users to underestimate the potential risks and addictive nature of these drugs. This misconception is particularly dangerous as it may encourage more frequent and higher doses, particularly as tolerance and physical dependence develop.

Chemical composition

Legal highs often have rapidly changing chemical compositions to evade legal restrictions. This unpredictability can make these substances more potent and dangerous, increasing the risk of legal high addiction even with short-term use.

Escapism and stress relief

High-achieving individuals may turn to legal highs to cope with the high stress and pressure associated with their careers. While the pleasurable and dissociative effects of these substances can provide a temporary escape, addiction ultimately entrenches the cycle of dependency and legal high abuse.

Social and professional environments

In some professional circles, the use of substances for recreational purposes might be more socially accepted, leading to increased exposure and normalisation of drug use, including legal highs.

Legal high addiction signs and symptoms

Spotting legal high addiction signs is not always easy, especially if the user is under the false impression that they are not addictive drugs. If you spot any of these legal high addiction symptoms in yourself or others, seeking professional help could potentially save a life:

You need more of the substance to feel the same effects, showing your body is building a tolerance
When you stop using, you feel anxious, irritable or even physically ill, which are clear signs of withdrawal
You are skipping work, missing social events and neglecting responsibilities due to legal high abuse
You have become secretive or moody due to the effects of legal highs or the stress of addiction
You have persistent health issues, like unexplained weight loss or frequent illnesses
You spend most of your money on legal highs, even when it is causing you financial issues
You recognise these issues but still can’t quit, even when they are pointed out to you by trusted loved ones or colleagues

Legal high addiction in the UK

Legal high abuse and addiction have blighted the UK for years despite efforts to curb their availability. In the year ending March 2023, 290,635 people were in contact with drug and alcohol services, highlighting the widespread nature of the problem. Among these, a significant proportion were dealing with issues related to legal highs.

There has been a particular rise in the use of Spice, a synthetic cannabinoid which has become notorious for its severe and unpredictable effects. Spice can cause extreme agitation, hallucinations and violent behaviour, and its potency can lead to rapid addiction and severe withdrawal symptoms.

The increasing prevalence of Spice and other synthetic cannabinoids is particularly concerning in urban areas like London, with the ONS reporting a significant number of drug-related deaths involving these substances.

Dangerous side effects of legal high addiction

Legal high addiction can erode the very fabric of your life in a frighteningly short space of time. You can lose your job, ruin your most valued relationships, and leave your career in tatters. Despite their name, many legal highs carry heavy penalties for use, supply and distribution, and you could face major fines and even imprisonment.

Depending on the specific drug, the vast majority of legal highs also present severe dangers to health and well-being. These include:

Increased or decreased heart rate
High blood pressure
Paranoia
Hallucinations
Severe anxiety
Panic attacks
Seizures
Psychosis
Aggressive behaviour
Depression and self-harming thoughts
Memory loss
Cognitive impairments
Respiratory issues
Gastrointestinal problems
Chronic fatigue
Kidney damage
Liver damage
Cardiovascular problems
Muscle breakdown
Immune system suppression
Neurological damage
Legal high overdose
Death

Legal High Addiction Treatment at UKAT London Clinic

UKAT London Clinic delivers exceptional legal high-addiction treatment tailored for individuals seeking discretion and advanced care. Our process begins with a meticulously planned detox, overseen by our experienced medical team, to manage withdrawal and ensure client safety.

Post-detox, our clients engage in personalised rehab treatment, including individual counselling, cutting-edge CBT and holistic therapies like stress management and bespoke mindfulness sessions.

Our subsequent aftercare and relapse prevention programmes are robust, providing continuous support, therapy and access to exclusive support groups, ensuring a sustained and healthy recovery.

Seek help for legal high addiction today

If you need professional help for legal high addiction, UKAT London Clinic can help you get back on the road to health and happiness. Our bespoke treatment plans can help you overcome an addiction to various types of legal highs and give you the foundations you need to live a successful life. Contact us today to find out more about our exclusive centre and expert-led treatment programmes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most dangerous legal highs?

The most dangerous legal highs include synthetic cannabinoids (often sold as “Spice” or “K2”), synthetic cathinones (commonly known as “bath salts”) and synthetic stimulants like mephedrone. These substances can cause severe health issues such as heart palpitations, hallucinations, seizures and even death. Synthetic cannabinoids, for example, can be up to 100 times more potent than THC, leading to extreme anxiety, psychosis and cardiovascular problems.

What are the most addictive legal highs?

Among the most addictive legal highs are synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic cathinones. Synthetic cannabinoids can create a powerful dependency as users quickly develop a tolerance, leading to increased consumption and legal high addiction. Synthetic cathinones, such as mephedrone, act similarly to amphetamines and cocaine, stimulating the brain’s reward system and fostering a high potential for legal high addiction.

Are legal highs really legal?

Despite the name, many so-called “legal highs” are not legal as many of these substances have been banned due to their dangerous effects and potential for abuse. This was done under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 in the UK, which made it illegal to produce, supply or import these substances for human consumption. The ongoing issue is that manufacturers frequently alter the chemical composition of these drugs to attempt to evade legal restrictions, creating new substances that may temporarily escape regulation but are still dangerous.

(Click here to see works cited)

GOV.UK. “Legal Highs.” GOV.UK, https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a79849d40f0b63d72fc679a/legal-highs-postcard.pdf. Accessed 5 August 2024.
Office for National Statistics. “Deaths from ‘legal highs.’” Office for National Statistics, 28 April 2016, https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/articles/deathsfromlegalhighs/2016-04-28. Accessed 5 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 5 August 2024.
UK Rehab. “Legal-High Addiction | Causes, Symptoms and Diagnosis.” UK Rehab, https://www.uk-rehab.com/legal-high-addiction/. Accessed 5 August 2024.
UK Rehab. “Spice Addiction | Causes, Symptoms and Diagnosis.” UK Rehab, https://www.uk-rehab.com/legal-high-addiction/spice/. Accessed 5 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 5 August 2024.