Legal Highs Addiction
If you or someone you know is suffering with an addiction to ‘legal high’ drugs, read our in-depth guide on the addiction and find out how to get the help you need.
What Are Legal Highs?
Legal highs, also known as New Psychoactive Substances (NPS), are substances designed to mimic the effects of illegal drugs such as cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy, or stimulants.
Although often marketed as “legal”, many of these substances are now controlled under UK law due to the serious health risks they can cause.
Legal highs can come in many forms, including powders, pills, liquids, herbal mixtures, and vaping products.
The effects of legal highs can be unpredictable and dangerous because the ingredients and chemical compounds often vary between products.
Legal High Addiction Can Be Treated
With the right detox support, counselling, therapy, and ongoing recovery planning, individuals can recover from legal high addiction and regain control of their wellbeing.
Are Legal Highs Addictive?
Yes. Many legal highs can be addictive due to the way they affect the brain’s reward system and central nervous system.
Some substances can cause strong psychological cravings, compulsive behaviour, and physical dependence.
Repeated use of legal highs may lead individuals to:
- Experience cravings for the substance
- Develop tolerance and require larger doses
- Continue using despite harmful consequences
- Struggle to stop without professional support
- Experience withdrawal symptoms when stopping
- Use substances compulsively or impulsively
Because many legal highs contain unknown or changing chemical ingredients, the risks associated with addiction and overdose can be difficult to predict.
Symptoms Of Legal High Addiction
Legal high addiction can affect physical health, emotional wellbeing, behaviour, and daily functioning.
Common signs and symptoms may include:
- Strong cravings for legal highs
- Mood swings and emotional instability
- Anxiety, paranoia, or panic attacks
- Depression and low mood
- Sleep disturbances and insomnia
- Confusion or hallucinations
- Withdrawal from social activities and relationships
- Financial or personal problems caused by drug use
- Risk-taking or impulsive behaviour
- Failed attempts to stop using substances
- Changes in appetite or weight
Some legal highs may also contribute to psychosis, severe mental health symptoms, or dangerous physical reactions.
Health Risks Of Legal Highs
The effects of legal highs can be unpredictable because products often contain unknown substances or changing chemical formulas.
Potential health risks may include:
- Heart problems and increased blood pressure
- Respiratory difficulties
- Anxiety, paranoia, or psychosis
- Hallucinations and confusion
- Depression and emotional instability
- Seizures and neurological complications
- Overdose and loss of consciousness
- Long-term mental health difficulties
Combining legal highs with alcohol or other drugs can significantly increase the risk of overdose and serious medical complications.
Withdrawal Symptoms From Legal Highs
Withdrawal symptoms can occur when someone dependent on legal highs reduces or stops using the substances.
Common withdrawal symptoms may include:
- Anxiety and agitation
- Depression and low mood
- Sleep disturbances
- Strong cravings
- Irritability and mood swings
- Fatigue and exhaustion
- Difficulty concentrating
- Sweating and nausea
Professional detox and therapeutic support can help individuals safely manage withdrawal symptoms and reduce the risk of relapse.
Treatment Options For Legal High Addiction
Professional treatment can help individuals safely stop using legal highs while addressing the emotional and psychological causes of addiction.
Treatment programmes may include detox support, rehab treatment, counselling, therapy, and ongoing aftercare support.
Detox Support
Detox support can help individuals safely withdraw from legal highs while managing withdrawal symptoms in a supportive environment.
Residential Rehab
Residential rehab programmes provide structured treatment and support away from triggers and environments associated with substance misuse.
Counselling And Therapy
Therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), one-to-one counselling, and group therapy can help individuals understand triggers and develop healthier coping strategies.
Therapy may also help address anxiety, depression, trauma, or co-existing mental health conditions.
Aftercare Support
Aftercare, relapse prevention planning, and recovery support can help individuals maintain long-term recovery and reduce relapse risk.
Facts About Legal High Addiction
Getting Help For Legal High Addiction
Legal high addiction can feel overwhelming, but professional support and treatment are available.
Whether you are looking for detox support, rehab treatment, counselling, or ongoing recovery guidance, help is available throughout every stage of recovery.
Recovery from legal high addiction is possible with the right treatment, support network, and long-term recovery plan.