{"id":35,"date":"2013-10-03T12:23:03","date_gmt":"2013-10-03T12:23:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/?page_id=35"},"modified":"2025-11-02T16:09:31","modified_gmt":"2025-11-02T16:09:31","slug":"cat-addiction","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/drug-addiction\/cat-addiction\/","title":{"rendered":"CAT Addiction"},"content":{"rendered":"<header><div class=\"contained\"><div><div><\/div><div class=\"content\"><h1>CAT Addiction<\/h1><a href=\"#recoveryModal\" class=\"btn submit\" data-toggle=\"modal\">Reach out now, we can help<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/header><div id=\"crumbs\" class=\"contained\" data-is-podcasts=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\">Home<\/a>  \/  <span class=\"current\">Page<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide has-2-columns main-page is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"accordion wp-block-list\">\n<li>What is CAT addiction?\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>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 &lsquo;CAT&rsquo;, and its use is mostly associated with the club and rave scenes. There is no medical or pharmaceutical use for this substance&rsquo; and it is mainly produced in illicit &lsquo;CAT labs&rsquo;, for recreational purposes. According to  reports there has been an increase in the use of CAT since 2010.<br><br>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.<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Methods of use\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Methcathinone is taken into the body by snorting or inhaling it. It is water-soluble, and can be taken orally when mixed with a liquid, or can also be injected into the veins. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Effects of CAT use\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The effects of CAT have been described as being very similar to that of cocaine. Unlike cocaine, the &lsquo;high&rsquo; effect can last up to six hours, making this a very popular recreational drug.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Intense feelings of euphoria<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Increased energy<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Increased confidence<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Loss of appetite<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dilated pupils<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Feelings of love or empathy towards others<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sociability and talkativeness<p><b>Adverse effects of CAT include:<\/b><\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Nausea<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Damage to the nasal cavities<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Nosebleeds<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Involuntary teeth grinding<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hallucinations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Blurred vision<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Loss of appetite<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mental confusion<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Muddled speech<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Liver, kidney, lung and cardiovascular damage with prolonged use<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The loss of the ability to make rational decisions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Depression<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Anxiety<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Memory loss<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Insomnia<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Amphetamine psychosis<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Paranoid delusions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Suspicion<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Violent behaviour<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Symptoms similar to those of Parkinson&rsquo;s disease from injecting the drug<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Greater risk of stroke, coma or death resulting from a blood pressure increase and an irregular cardiac rate<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Withdrawal symptoms\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><p>Withdrawal symptoms are similar to those of cocaine, lasting from two to three weeks or longer depending on the extent of use. Symptoms include:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Fatigue<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Depression<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Anxiety<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Irritability<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Headaches<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Agitation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hypersomnia (excessive sleeping)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Increased appetite<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Agitation and aggression from extreme psychological cravings for the drug<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Overdose potential\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><p><b> <\/b>Overdose can occur with any quantity of drug used, and the user is always at risk. Overdose causes seizures, an increase in body temperature, respiratory failure, coma, and\/or death.<br><\/p><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<span style=\"margin-top:40px;\" class=\"btn-we-can-help ugb-highlight\">If drugs are controlling your life, we can help.<\/span>\n<a class=\"link-green\" href=\"#recoveryModal\" data-toggle=\"modal\">TALK TO US NOW<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column treatment is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img width=\"636\" height=\"336\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7832\" data-src=\"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/CRRC_PageTreatment_Image_02.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/CRRC_PageTreatment_Image_02.jpg 636w, https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/CRRC_PageTreatment_Image_02-300x158.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 636px) 100vw, 636px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">12 Steps<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Drug Rehabilitation &amp; Recovery<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"> The idea of overcoming drug addiction may seem overwhelming, but recovery is possible at Crossroads Recovery Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"text-align:center\"><a href=\"\/drug-rehabilitation\">View our treatment program<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"a-call-away\"><div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<h2>Addiction Rehabilitation &amp;<br>Treatment is <strong>a Phone Call Away<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The road to recovery is not always an easy one but getting yourself or your loved one the best care from the team at Crossroads Recovery Centres provides you with a map to sober, healthy living. No matter how bad things seem, there is hope and it&rsquo;s just a phone call away. <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"contact-details inline\"><div class=\"icon tel\"><div><div>Johannesburg Admissions: <a style=\"color:#A2D23F;font-size: 1.2em;text-decoration: none;\" href=\"tel:+27748951043\">+27 74 895 1043<\/a><\/div><div>Outpatients Admissions: <a style=\"color:#A2D23F;font-size: 1.2em;text-decoration: none;\" href=\"tel:+27824589408\">+27 82 458 9408<\/a><\/div><div>Pretoria Admissions: <a style=\"color:#A2D23F;font-size: 1.2em;text-decoration: none;\" href=\"tel:+27826533311\">+27 82 653 3311<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n    <div class=\"testimonials\">\n      <div>\n        <h3>Stories of Recovery<\/h3>\n        <div>\n          <ul>\n                <li data-id=\"1\">\n              <div>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.<\/div>\n              <div><span>Oliver VG<\/span><\/div>\n              <a style=\"display: inline-block; margin-top: 24px;\" class=\"btn hollow\" href=\"\/testimonials\/oliver-vg\">Read more<\/a>\n            <\/li>\n                <li data-id=\"2\">\n              <div>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.<\/div>\n              <div><span>Johan B<\/span><\/div>\n              <a style=\"display: inline-block; margin-top: 24px;\" class=\"btn hollow\" href=\"\/testimonials\/johan-b\">Read more<\/a>\n            <\/li>\n                <li data-id=\"3\">\n              <div>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!<\/div>\n              <div><span>Carla S<\/span><\/div>\n              <a style=\"display: inline-block; margin-top: 24px;\" class=\"btn hollow\" href=\"\/testimonials\/carla-s\">Read more<\/a>\n            <\/li>\n                <li data-id=\"4\">\n              <div>\"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.\"<\/div>\n              <div><span>Angelique J<\/span><\/div>\n              <a style=\"display: inline-block; margin-top: 24px;\" class=\"btn hollow\" href=\"\/testimonials\/angelique-j\">Read more<\/a>\n            <\/li>\n              <\/ul>\n          <div style=\"display: none\">\n            <a href=\"\/testimonials\" class=\"btn hollow\">Read more<\/a>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n      <div data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/testimonials-bg.jpg\"><\/div>\n        <div class=\"controls\" data-section=\"stories\">\n            <span class=\"left\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/crossroads2019\/img\/arrow-left-circle.svg\" alt=\"Left Arrow\"><\/span>\n            <span class=\"right\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/crossroads2019\/img\/arrow-right-circle.svg\" alt=\"Right Arrow\"><\/span>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    \n\n\n\n<div class=\"medical-aids\">\n<h3>Approved Medical Aids<\/h3>\n<div>\n<div class=\"contained\">\n<div>\n<img itemprop=\"contentURL\" width=\"100\" height=\"45\" alt=\"Bestmed Logo\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Bestmed-1.jpg\"><img itemprop=\"contentURL\" width=\"100\" height=\"45\" alt=\"Bonitas Logo\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Bonitas-2.jpg\"><img itemprop=\"contentURL\" width=\"100\" height=\"45\" alt=\"CAMAF Logo\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/CAMAF-1.jpg\"><img itemprop=\"contentURL\" width=\"100\" height=\"45\" alt=\"Discovery Health Logo\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/DiscoveryHealth-1.jpg\"><img itemprop=\"contentURL\" width=\"100\" height=\"45\" alt=\"Fedhealth Logo\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Fedhealth-1.jpg\"><img itemprop=\"contentURL\" width=\"100\" height=\"45\" alt=\"Government Employees Medical Scheme\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/GEMS-1.jpg\"><img itemprop=\"contentURL\" width=\"100\" height=\"45\" alt=\"Liberty Corporate\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Liberty-1.jpg\"><img itemprop=\"contentURL\" width=\"100\" height=\"45\" alt=\"Medihelp Medical Scheme\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Medihelp-1.jpg\"><img itemprop=\"contentURL\" width=\"100\" height=\"45\" alt=\"\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Medshield-1.jpg\"><img itemprop=\"contentURL\" width=\"100\" height=\"45\" alt=\"\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Momentum-1.jpg\"><img itemprop=\"contentURL\" width=\"100\" height=\"45\" alt=\"\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Netcare-1.jpg\"><img itemprop=\"contentURL\" width=\"100\" height=\"45\" alt=\"\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/PnP-1.jpg\"><img itemprop=\"contentURL\" width=\"100\" height=\"45\" alt=\"\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Polmed-1.jpg\"><img itemprop=\"contentURL\" width=\"100\" height=\"45\" alt=\"\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/ResolutionHealth-1.jpg\"><img itemprop=\"contentURL\" width=\"100\" height=\"45\" alt=\"\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/SasolMed-1.jpg\"><img itemprop=\"contentURL\" width=\"100\" height=\"45\" alt=\"\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Sizwe-1.jpg\"><img itemprop=\"contentURL\" width=\"100\" height=\"45\" alt=\"\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Topmed-1.jpg\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"addiction-types\"><div><div class=\"contained\"><h3>Types of Addictions<\/h3><div class=\"wp-block-columns has-5-columns\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<h4>Drug Addiction<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Is drug addiction controlling your life? <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"button\"><a href=\"\/drug-addiction\/\">More info<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<h4>Alcohol Addiction<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Do you have a problem with alcohol? <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"button\"><a href=\"\/alcohol-addiction\/\">More info<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<h4>Sex Addiction<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Is sex addiction controlling your life? <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"button\"><a href=\"\/sex-addiction\/\">More info<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<h4>Gambling Addiction<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Is your urge to gamble controlling your life? <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"button\"><a href=\"\/gambling-addiction\/\">More info<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<h4>Food Addiction<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Is food your crutch?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"button\"><a href=\"\/food-addiction\/\">More info<\/a>  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><p class=\"button-form\"><a href=\"#recoveryModal\" data-toggle=\"modal\">Reach out now, we can help<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>CAT Addiction Reach out now, we can help Home \/ Page If drugs are controlling your life, we can help. TALK TO US NOW Drug Rehabilitation &amp; Recovery The idea of overcoming drug addiction may seem overwhelming, but recovery is possible at Crossroads Recovery Centre.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":12011,"parent":31,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-35","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","entry"],"featured_image_urls_v2":{"full":["https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Cat.jpg",800,600,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Cat-80x80.jpg",80,80,true],"medium":["https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Cat-300x225.jpg",300,225,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Cat-768x576.jpg",640,480,true],"large":["https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Cat.jpg",640,480,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Cat.jpg",800,600,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Cat.jpg",800,600,false],"alm-thumbnail":["https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Cat-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"post-thumbnail":["https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Cat.jpg",800,600,false]},"post_excerpt_stackable_v2":"<p>CAT AddictionReach out now, we can helpHome \/ Page What is CAT addiction? 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 &lsquo;CAT&rsquo;, and its use is mostly associated with the club and rave scenes. There is no medical or pharmaceutical use for this substance&rsquo; and it is mainly produced in illicit &lsquo;CAT labs&rsquo;, for recreational purposes. According to reports there has been an increase in the use of CAT since 2010.It is often used as a substitute for other stimulants&hellip;<\/p>\n","category_list_v2":"","author_info_v2":{"name":"admin","url":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/author\/admin\/"},"comments_num_v2":"0 comments","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/35","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=35"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/35\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/31"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12011"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}