Mephedrone aka m-cat aka meow- meow

A drug that has taken the Mumbai streets by storm due to lacunae created by poor quality cocaine and is cheaper than it, is Mephedrone also known as M-CAT/ meow-meow/plant food etc.

Mephedrone [4-methyl methcathinone (4-MMC) or 4-methyl ephedrone,] is a synthetic stimulant akin to amphetamines and is a cathinone similar to those found in the psychostimulant plant Khath used in Africa. It is sold across the world as plant food and research chemicals online in order to by pass legal bans and routes.

History 

It was first discovered in 1929 but went into obscurity till it was re synthesized by an underground chemist in Israel in about 2003 .

Mode of use– snorting, rectally, orally in tablets, intravenously.

Even today  the complete and long term effects of the drug on the brain and body have not been researched .  Hence what is known is from short term studies and effects observed in users and shared by them.

Effects

Users have described its effects to be akin to the effects of MDMA and cocaine.

Its effects set in within 15minutes to half an hour of snorting it and lasts for 3-4 hours.

It  creates a sense of euphoria, elation, sleeplessness, a sharpness and mental acuity that makes one feel very productive and able to focus better . It also creates a markedly heightened sexual desire with intercourse lasting for hours. This increases the chance of risky sexual behavior increasing the propensity to sexually transmitted diseases like HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C etc.

Currently mephedrone is used in many places in the world for what are called as ““chemsex” parties .

Body and brain-

-It creates a complete lack of appetite wherein users do not eat at all while in the phase of using and consequently loose weight and fall ill.

-The pupils  are dilated,

there is an increase in heart rate of the drug user/ person addicted to the drug. Since the effect lasts only for a few hours the frequency of usage and quantity of usage gradually increase thus making abuse of the drug very easy.

-There is no low feeling or depression following the stoppage of use.

-Short term memory is grossly affected.

-Anxiety and paranoia are seen in some.

-Heightened nervous stimulation is seen in some resulting seizures.

-It also creates in some a feeling of affection towards people around.

-Teeth grinding , jaw clenching , cold fingers and toes are some other effects.

Withdrawals

Physical- Body ache, headache, heart palpitations, constipation, increased appetite,  excessive sleepiness, lachrymation, watering of the nose.

Mental- irritability , restlessness

Solution

The solution for someone addicted to the drug is a residential treatment program in a voluntary drug rehabilitation facility wherein the treatment program is voluntary, non medical and incorporating counseling , meditation and other therapies are incorporated . We at Anatta offer such a program wherein the individual is treated with understanding and acceptance and his/her confidentiality and anonymity is maintained.

HOW TO TALK TO YOUR CHILD ABOUT A PARENT’S ADDICTION

Growing up in a family in which a member is addicted to alcohol or drugs , can be chaotic and scary to a child. Witnessing the fights and the tears between the parents and the displaced anger they are inflicted upon many times makes them believe that they are responsible for the drinking or using of their addicted parent.  It is confusing. They can get reactive, aggressive angry. The academic studies are affected. They can become under achievers or over achievers to compensate for the helplessness and anger they feel. Many a time they too begin using addictive substances. They can be more mature for their age.

They are faced with repeated promises of giving up and being lied to and lied about by their addicted loved one. Taking care of ones needs in such situations seems not right to them.
How to speak to your child depends on their age. the primary premise being the child should be told the truth in an age appropriate manner.
The following general guidelines can be followed:
The affection on the child and its impact has to be acknowledged and the child has to be encouraged to express its feelings.
The shame associated is to addressed. Many times the parent blames the chid for their usage causing them to take on responsibility for their using. They need to be explained that the parent under influence is very different and they are also helpless about their use.
It takes time for a child of an addict to process their emotions to identify and express them without fear. An environment where they can do so should be created
Below 10years- Children can identify with feeling  an intense desire to want a toy and want it when they want it and throwing a tantrum when they are unable to get it and many times their mind tells them “no” but they cannot help themselves. It can be explained that their  parent behaves in the same manner when they want to drink alcohol or use drugs. And even when they know they are making the wrong choice they still choose it.
Very young children can be told that their parent /loved one is ill  from an addiction.
Early teens-They find it difficult to listen to long winding explanations. It is better to ask their understanding of the situation at home and answer their questions honestly.
Older teens : today are already seeing substance use and addiction around them in their friends so identifying the same in their parents is not difficult. Hence ,  trying to minimize their loved ones usage is not right. An opening to the conversation can be that “ you had seen your dad trip down the stairs and I had to help him get to bed. “ they will share similar experience and from there it can be explained that the parent  is afflicted by addiction , what it is, and how the effort is to motivate them to go for treatment to a alcohol/drug rehab.
One person of the family preferably a parent or a counselor of the family trained in addiction and co dependency treatment speaks to the child and passes on the facts. This prevents confusion and gossip to the kids.
The National Association for Children of Alcoholics,say ,Annata Drug Alcohol Rehab centre Indiachildren need to know the “Seven Cs of Addiction”:
I didn’t Cause it.
I can’t Cure it.
I can’t Control it.
I can Care for myself
By Communicating my feelings,
Making healthy Choices, and
By Celebrating myself.
Every day a child lives with an addicted parent it is becoming damaged psychologically. Other sources of help need to be also taken- such as Al a Teen the self help group for children of those addicted to substances. Also regular Counseling by an experiential Co dependency counselor or one who has worked in the field for long needs to be done as when they see non judgmental acceptance with love being imparted they feel safe to emote , trust and express and receive help.
We provide this facility in AH to all children of our clients and have seen them blossom with self love and care.

MDMA [3,4,methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine]

The rave and party drug that has taken the party scene by a storm for several decades .

it is available in Pill form – Ecstasy – which can however be adulterated by bath salts[cathionines]  or any other chemicals. It is called Molly for “molecular” available in capsule form but which can be mixed with bath salts again. It is also available in crystal form which is swallowed or dissolved in water and drunk . Powdered versions are also available  which are snorted.

it is a psychedelic drug with stimulant effects.

It affects three chemicals in the brain-

Dopamine- causes euphoria and increased energy.

Norepinephrine- causes increase in heart rate and in blood pressure which can result even in a heart attack or a stroke.

Serotonin- MDMA causes the brain to secrete enormous amounts of serotonin and eventually this depletes the serotonin sources and reduces it considerably. Initially it causes one to feel all loving and caring , alters perceptions, heightens the senses. However,  soon it causes a very low dip or even depression and anxiety in the individual.

The effect of MDMA sets in within 30 to 60 minutes. In 3.5 to 4 hours it peaks followed by a plateau and then a depressive phase to stave off which a dose is popped again.

At times to enhance the psychedelic effects it is combined with LSD, Psilocybin mushrooms or Ketamine called as “flipping”. Also with marijuana and alcohol.

Effects. The person under influence becomes physically very active alert and hence it is used in rave parties where people dance non stop for the entire night and day . The music has a synergistic effect in enhancing the psychedelic effects. The mind becomes hyperactive. Thoughts run at a high speed.

After effects-  dry mouth, lack of appetite, bruxism [ lockjaw] repeated involuntary  clenching of teeth  , blurred vision, chills, sweating, fatigue, anxiety, paranoea, feelings of excessive love, increased sexual desire, this can result in high risk sexual behaviors too , insomnia, lack of focus .

In people who have myopia, with a high number , MDMA causes expansion of the eyeball which puts pressure on the retina . the small retinal capillaries might leak resulting in floaters in the line of vision. Retinal tears also might happen increasing the risk of loss of vision.

In people who have traits of ADHD , the use of this drug magnifies the effects.

In people with underlying anxiety and dependency issues , these symptoms get highlighted and last longer.

Thus depending on the frequency , duration, quantity of usage  and the underlying personality traits, the duration of the effects also vary.

Over the course of the week following moderate use of the drug, a person may experience: irritability, impulsiveness and aggression, depression,sleep problems, anxiety, memory and attention problems, decreased appetite, decreased interest in and pleasure from sex

Chronic use results in depression anxiety and paranoea.

Other physical adverse effects

MDMA can cause increased body temperatures to abnormal levels so much so that it can lead to multi organ failure , heart failure and can prove fatal.

Withdrawals seen –  fatigue , anxiety, depression, lack of appetite , difficulty in focus.

Treatment-

Residential care in an alternate life therapy center/drug rehab in an environment that is non judgmental, loving and accepting with counseling, meditation, yoga, writing and other alternate therapies is the path to a  resolution.

We provide the same at AH

http://anatta.in/mdma-34methylenedioxy-n-methylamphetamine/ 

Theories-On-Causes-of-Addiction

There are many factors that can cause addiction-

The Disease Concept

The direct relationship between neurotransmitters and drug abuse was discovered in 1970 that some neurotransmitters have molecular similarity to those of plant opioids –opium, morphine and heroin.

The normal human brain has a certain set level of release, increase and stabilization of dopamine –the pleasure neurotransmitter. However, in an addict brain the level of pleasure achieved is higher than normal and there is no plateau or stabilization phase, on the contrary the levels dip down to below baseline. This simulates the effect of consumption of substance in an addictive brain. Eventually, with each succeeding drug or alcohol event, the addicted person must use more and more to get less and less of an effect (tolerance) — the levels continues falling further and further until they are using not to get high but just to get normal

The Genetic & Inheritance Concept

Children born of Alcoholic parents have 4% more chances to be alcoholics.

Staying with Biological parents or Foster parents has not made any difference

Theory of inheritance of alcoholism, suicidal depression and epilepsy is known in female children of alcoholic parents.Some inherit anger, some inherit depression but more often so; it is the self-destructive attitude.

The Dysfunctional family Concept

Dysfunctional family members have common symptoms and behavior patterns as a result of their experiences within the family structure. This tends to reinforce the dysfunctional behavior, either through enabling or perpetuation. The family unit can be affected by a variety of factors

The following symptoms occur in most dysfunctional families:

Lack of empathy, understanding, and sensitivity toward certain family members; while, on the other hand, expressing extreme empathy toward one or more family members who have (real or perceived) “special needs”

Denial (a refusal to acknowledge abusive behaviour; also known as the “elephant in the room”) Extremes in conflict (either too much fighting or insufficient arguing between family members)

Inadequate or missing boundaries for self (e.g., tolerating inappropriate treatment from others, failing to express what is acceptable and unacceptable treatment, tolerance of physical, emotional or sexual abuse)

Unequal or unfair treatment of one or more family members due to their gender, age (e.g., seniors, children), abilities, race, economic status, etc. (may include frequent appeasement of one member at the expense of others, or an uneven enforcement of rules).

Abnormal sexual behavior such as incest

Abuse in childhood in any form emotional or physical.

Divorced or separated parents in continuous conflict, or parents who should separate, but do not (to the detriment of their children)

People living in such an environment can easily fall prey to addictions as a relief from stifling family circumstances.

Behavioral Concept

A Maladaptive Personality who cannot adjust to his surroundings and to his internal milieu can be more prone to addictions.

Whatever may be the cause and theories related to the same..if a fracture has to heal it has to be plastered. Likewise , the addiction has to be treated first and in the process the envelope of one’s life is turned inside out, and issues dealt with in a most compassionate, loving, confidential manner. We at Anatta provide the right mileu for the same.

Get started

Contact us today and we will get back to you immediately.

website : http://www.anatta.in

Synthetic drugs

Synthetic drugs are taking the world of drug usage by a storm. Theseare chemically altered or laced substances mimicking marijuana, cocaine and methamphetamines and sold over the counters in shops.

The packaging of the drugs always indicate “Not fit for human consumption” but are blatantly sold.
Every 2-3 weeks a new altered synthetic drug hits the market even

before the authorities can test them to know their effects and danger or even legislate to decide their illegality . The loopholes are first figured out in the regulations by replacing a banned chemical compound in a synthetic cannabinoid or cathinones as some are called with a new formulation unknown to authorities . So consumers are totally unaware of the reactions of some of these chemicals .. Thus they are very dangerous as they contain chemicals that can be several times more stronger than the original chemical compound they are mimicking. There have been several fatalities linked to use and abuse of synthetic drugs.

Some of the Synthetic drugs and their effects:

Synthetic Marijuana-
Sold as incense, products like Spice, G-Four, K2 ,Yucatan fire, Skunk, Moon rocks, Mojo etc.These are chemicals mimicking as cannabinoids sprayed on random herbs/ leaves and sold . Effects- extreme anxiety, nausea, paranoea, confusion, hallucinations. It has also been associated with elevated blood pressure, reduced blood supply to the heart.
Long term effects- affects short term memory, motivation, emotional instability, reasoning, learning and stamina are adversely affected.

5 –MeO-DMT
Is made synthetically and also derived from the venom sac and skin of a type of toad Bufo alvarius. It is vaporized, insufflated or injected. The experiences are immersive, like a rushing sensation , a shifting of perspective, of short duration , there is an experience of a void, dissociation . Excessive usage can also result in death.

LSZ Lysergic acide 2,4 dimethylazetidide
It is an ergoloid or synthetic form of LSD Effects –can result in severe paranoea.

MXE
MXE is a “replacement dissociative” that mimics the effects of drugs like Ketamine and PCP. Dissociatives disrupt the actions of the brain chemical glutamate at certain types of receptors on nerve cells
throughout the brain causing the distortion of perceptions of sight and sound and producing a feeling of detachment from the environment and one’s self. Dissociatives can impair vision and the hearing, cause anxiety, memory loss, impaired motor skills, numbness, and many other
unpredictable symptoms that can last for hours and sometimes days.

Flakka and bath salts
Flakka and bath salts also called cathinones are”replacement euphoric stimulants and empathogens” and are meant to mimic the effects of both amphetamines and hallucinogens. It can also contain mephedrone.. -Bath salts are sold as crystalline powder in a small bag with names such as Ivory Wave, Blow, Red Dove, Vanilla Sky Aura, Zeus 2, Zoom, Bliss, Blue Silk, White Lightning, Ocean, Charge,White Dove and others. Flakka contains alpha-PVP, a
of cathinone, the amphetamine-like drug found in bath salts which was banned in 2011. These drugs cause a surge in two chemicals: the feel-good chemical dopamine (responsible for the euphoric sensations) and norepineprhine (which raises heart rate and blood pressure and can make us more alert).
-Excessive use has been linked with feelings of extreme anxiety, paranoia, hallucinations, and violent behavior., seizures, insomnia, chest pain, self mutilation.

- Users frequently describe the high as “horrible” and report seeing demons, monsters, foreign soldiers or aliens. Some have symptoms for 2-3 days. Some require long term psychiatric care because their symptoms don’t improve.

Long term physical effects- Kidney failure, Liver failure, Increased risk of suicide , long term mental illness etc.

In India as in other countries ,these drugs are available through mail order sites where they are sold as research chemicals. As a result they are not marked as scheduled drugs in India nor covered in the NDPS act due to which they get cleared at customs . Thus they enter the country
legally ready for consumption.

Awareness about the solution to addiction is as important as awarenessof the problem- ie treatment in a voluntary, confidential, conducive,
compassionate environment.

ACCEPTING HELP

The need to  “fit in” is an universal human trait - most youth do several things-dress alike keep up with the trends etc some of them being  drinking and smoking cigarettes- like a “rite of passage” and lo! It is an entry into the world of parties –being part of, etc.. the shy gangly adolescent turns into a sauve happening kid popular amongst the guys and girls alike.  The intake begins in a small manner as that is enough to give a high, loosen the tongue and the inhibitions. In the flush of youth, studies are managed and the drinks increase to 6-7-8 . from weekends to two or three times a week.
The increase is noted by friends, warnings are issued but ridiculed by the young man - “ be a man-drink like me !”  Is help accepted? Life is going great guns, the studies are done, the girls are there one or many .. more often one too many than one.  The new job is gotten, a fat pay packet to boot.  The alcohol flows, the money too flows generously “friends “ benefit.
Slowly the hangovers take over... waking up with heavy heads become a norm…  the drinks are tried to be controlled now, the hangover hidden with coffee and soon enough through a drink to get over the hangover as the body and mind is in shambles ... focus is lost.. meetings are missed, absenteeism sets in... one tries to “ cut down to two or three drinks” succeeds for a few days then one fight at the office or home front, the three becomes 10 in no time and without any inkling as to how it reached there... the intention had been just have the three drinks and pacify the girlfriend/wife [This is the compulsive nature of an addictive mind taking over]  After three all intentions get drowned in the bottle... the next morning one wakes up with absolutely no memory of what transpired the night before- a blackout . The blackout starts becoming frequent. [Is help accepted here?] The mind remains more befuddled...The thinking changes… It becomes more grandiose, emotions are exaggerated, mountains are made out of molehills- though alcohol s temporarily not there because it is untreated the mental habits do not change.  Everything triggers an emotional reaction either expressed or in expressed. Life revolves around planning to get the next drink or start drinking.  [The obsession takes over]
Friends start avoiding as Dr. Jekyll turns to Mr. Hyde post a few drinks.. Friendships are lost.. guilt and remorse sets in.. and to forget it , guess what- more drinks are drowned.. but does one forget? No- cause the drink only magnifies the hurt existent real or imagined. [is help accepted now]
Again the decision to stop drinks.. but in the next one day, one hour or next five minutes the man finds a glass in his hand and a half a bottle down. It is baffling! How did that happen? [it is a cunning baffling disease- and the time from a thought of a drink to an intense thought to craving to obsession and compulsive drinking can take a few seconds to minutes to hours or days ] Help accepted?
The family intervenes. The hands are unsteady the body tremors cannot hold a glass; yet the thought” I can handle it” The liver is fired – on the verge of cirrhosis on the hospital bed- and yet the thought “I can handle the bottle” the struggle goes on; the life revolves around controlling the drink and going back to “social drinking” of 2-3pegs, a futile illusionary dream! [ this is the denial of dependency] The family tries to control the drink- drink wine- drink at home- I will drink with you- you are taking advantage of us! Another futile illusionary dream! [ the denial of the co dependent] Is help accepted?  For, now it has reached the stage of Addiction – “first the man drinks the drink, then the drink drinks the drink, then the drink drinks the man. “
 The drinking that was fun at a point  and solution at times now has become a problem!
But one is unable to stop for long on one’s own... people around “society” at large think that the man is a drunk ..he can stop on his own but he is selfish and wants to enjoy life at the cost of his family. However, the person addicted drinks now to keep away pain- physical and psychological and there is no more “fun” in it. [ is help asked for and accepted?]He/she is sick and tired  of feeling sick and tired
 The family approaches psychiatrists or an experiential addiction counselor for help ... the person who is chemically dependent now meets the counselor. An experiential counselor is one who has lived a life of addiction to drugs or alcohol and has accepted treatment and gone beyond the need to use alcohol or drugs for a substantial length of time. The light is seen at the end of the tunnel... identification is established... he understands my story, as my story has been his story... and if he can do it then I too have hopes of reaching where he has reached today and he will guide me into doing the things he did to arrive at where he is.
Help is finally looked for in the right place and accepted. Thus it is seen that one cannot predict when a person can ask for and accept help.
This is half the battle won.
We at Anatta are here to help those who accept help and to enable those who resist to arrive at a decision to accept help. We have our rehabilitation centers scattered in most parts of India like rehabilitation Center in Pune, rehabilitation center in Nagpur and drugs and alcohol rehabilitation centers in Delhi. Come to us and we will help you see life in a new way without alcohol and drugs.