title: Mephedrone: use, subjective effects and health risks.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the patterns of use, subjective effect profile and dependence liability of mephedrone, supported by corroborative urine toxicology.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional structured telephone interview.
  
  
  METHODS
  UK-based drug users associated with the dance music scene.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 100 mephedrone users, recruited through their involvement with the dance music scene.
  
  
  METHODS
  Assessment of pattern of use, acute and after effects, DSM dependence criteria and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry urinalysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mephedrone consumption results in typical stimulant-related subjective effects: euphoria, increased concentration, talkativeness, urge to move, empathy, jaw clenching, reduced appetite and insomnia. Thirty per cent of the sample potentially met criteria for DSM-IV dependence and there was evidence of a strong compulsion to use the drug (47% had used the drug for 2 or more consecutive days). Self-reported recent consumption of mephedrone was confirmed by toxicological analysis in all of the 14 participants who submitted a urine sample.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mephedrone has a high abuse and health risk liability, with increased tolerance, impaired control and a compulsion to use, the predominant reported dependence symptoms.
authors: Addictions Department, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, and St George's Hospital Medical School, London, UK. adam.winstock@kcl.ac.uk
authors: Adam
authors: A
authors: Winstock
authors: Luke
authors: L
authors: Mitcheson
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Ramsey
authors: Susannah
authors: S
authors: Davies
authors: Malgorzata
authors: M
authors: Puchnarewicz
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Marsden