Khat Addiction and Rehabilitation

   Dec. 7, 2014
   25 minute read
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Last Edited: March 17, 2020
Author
Patricia Howard, LMFT, CADC
Clinically Reviewed
Mark Frey, LPCC, LICDC, NCC
All of the information on this page has been reviewed and certified by an addiction professional.

Dangers of Khat Abuse

Khat is a plant that grows naturally in East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula; Yemen, Kenya, and Ethiopia. This plant contains two stimulants called cathinone and cathine that are similar to Amphetamine. Like Amphetamines this drug stimulates the central nervous system and has similar effects and risks.

This drug is most potent in its fresh cut form and is chewed like tobacco. Khat produces Amphetamine-like effects giving the user a sense of euphoria, false sense of well-being, and an increased energy. Users claim to have a heightened hyperactive mania with repeated use, which leads to psychotic episodes and more life threaten.

Some rare cases of Khat abuse, resulting from heavy use are: effects are psychotic episodes of grandiose delusions, believing that one holds qualities of superiority such as power, wealth and fame, as well as reactions of serve anxiety and fear. Khat abuse is also known to lead to paranoia and hallucinations. Just because Khat is a plant, it does not make it safe, it is just as addictive as Cocaine and Methamphetamine.

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Street Names for Khat

There are a number of street names associated with Khat. Some of the street names for the drug include; Chat, Oat, Bushman’s Tea, African Salad, Qat, Abyssinian Tea, Tohai, Kat.

Khat Effects

In the region where this plant originated, Khat users gather in a social setting and chew raw Khat while socializing and drinking tea. Khat is addictive and repetitive use can have negative effect on the body. Signs that a person is using Khat can be observed as elevated blood pressure, dilated pupils, arrhythmia, increased aggression and mania. The effects of Khat usually last between 1 to 3 hours and take 30 minutes before the stimulant in Khat takes effect. These effects include euphoria, increased alertness, talkative, suppressed appetite and false pride. Khat is addictive and easy to develop a dependency to. Chronic Khat abuse will result in behavioral changes and impairment of mental health, such as manic behavior, suicidal depression, schizophreniform psychosis and parodied delusions.

Warning signs of Khat abuse in a loved one

Most people abuse Khat to be alert and to enhance performance. These people will commonly justify using Khat because it is a plant and they don’t look at it as a dangerous substance. Because they don’t see it as dangerous, they are not aware it is extremely dangerous. In fact, Khat is just as addictive as Methamphetamine and Cocaine. If you feel a loved one is abusing Khat but not sure, here are some signs and symptoms of Khat abuse:

Khat is a stimulant drug that produces the same effects as drugs like Cocaine and Methamphetamine. If your loved one is abusing Khat, he or she may seem more alert than normal. It may be hard for him or her to settle down and relax.

Your loved one might be paranoid. If this is the case, your loved ones are going to whole heartily believe things that are not true. These things may be a harm to their life or others from their point of view. Be patient and supportive in times like this.

If your loved one is abusing Khat, he or she is probably not motivated to do anything else like hang out with family or go to work. All his or her energy is going to using and abusing Khat. Because of this, he or she may lose their job or drop out of school.

Factual Dangers: Khat

When your loved one is addicted to Khat, you may feel your life has taken a turn for the worst. It feels like you have lost him or her to the drug lifestyle and there is no getting him or her back. However, this is not true. You may have lost him or her for the moment but you can get your loved one back. You will want to know the signs and symptoms of Khat abuse before you try to comfort your loved one so you know how to act and stay calm. The signs and symptoms of Khat abuse include:

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