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October 13th, 2025
Monkey dust addiction
Monkey Dust is a drug that rarely makes headlines until something shocking happens, yet for many communities, its presence has been felt for years. Known for its unpredictable effects and strong addictive grip, it has devastated lives in areas where it has taken hold. For those caught up in its cycle, the drug can feel impossible to escape.
At UKAT, we understand that behind every addiction is a person who deserves care and the chance to recover. If Monkey Dust has affected your life, we are here to help you find a way forward.
What is Monkey Dust?
Monkey dust is a street name most often used for synthetic cathinones, a group of man-made stimulant drugs related to cathinone, a naturally occurring substance found in the khat plant.
Chemically, the most common form is MDPV (3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone), although street samples can vary and sometimes contain similar compounds such as MDPHP. These drugs are designed to mimic the effects of established stimulants like cocaine, amphetamines or MDMA, which explains why they appeared on the market in the first place.
Monkey dust and other synthetic cathinones were created in laboratories with the idea of producing drugs that act like popular stimulants but avoid existing drug laws. For users, the attraction was a substance that promised euphoria or alertness, often at a much lower price.
This situation changed in 2010 when the UK government classified cathinones under Class B of the Misuse of Drugs Act. Since then, possession has been illegal and supply carries the risk of prison. Yet, despite the law, monkey dust remains present in some communities because its cheap price keeps it accessible to vulnerable people.
Why do people use monkey dust?
It is tempting to think monkey dust use is simply about chasing a cheap high, yet the reasons are often more layered. For many, cost plays a central role. Compared with cocaine or crack, monkey dust is far less expensive, with street doses available for only a few pounds. Because its effects also tend to last longer than other stimulants, the appeal is clear for those who have little money but want something powerful.
Some people may also turn to monkey dust as a form of coping, using it to manage the weight of mental health struggles or ongoing abuse. Among people who are homeless or vulnerably housed, it can be a way to stay awake through the night, with the belief that remaining alert makes them safer from crime or exploitation.
Reports have also linked monkey dust to heightened libido and reduced inhibition, which can make it particularly difficult to stop using once it becomes a part of relationships.
Although these reasons differ, the pattern is often the same. What begins as a perceived solution gradually reveals itself as a deeper problem, with addiction taking hold before people even realise it.
Is Monkey Dust addictive?
If you’ve been around anyone who uses Monkey Dust regularly or even if you’ve used it yourself, you’ll know how quickly it can feel addictive. Yet when it comes to science, the evidence is patchy.
Controlled human trials aren’t usually allowed to study the addictive pull of MDPV, which leaves a gap in direct clinical knowledge.
What we do have are case reports and surveys, and these paint a picture of people feeling an overwhelming psychological urge to keep using monkey dust. What is less commonly described are clear physical withdrawal symptoms, which suggest the main grip comes through compulsion rather than the body reacting in obvious ways. This makes human evidence limited, yet it creates space to look at animal research for stronger insights.
This chemical action translated into behaviour, as rats were faster to start self-administering MDPV and pushed for more of it once they began. Their responses also came with vocal signs of pleasure that lasted longer than those triggered by cocaine, showing how the drug’s effects continued to reinforce themselves.
Even after the first heavy doses, MDPV held its grip while cocaine’s reward faded quickly, leading researchers to conclude that its potency and abuse potential were significantly higher.
The evidence was clear that MDPV drove a stronger and more persistent demand than methamphetamine, suggesting that its potential for abuse may be even greater.
When we set the lab findings alongside real-world reports, a clearer picture emerges of just how addictive monkey dust can be. Building on this, the next section looks more closely at how the drug has been reshaping lives, particularly in certain areas of the UK.
Stoke-on-Trent’s worrying relationship with monkey dust
Stoke-on-Trent and the surrounding area of North Staffordshire have become the epicentre of monkey dust use in the UK. Reports and research consistently show that the prevalence and harms are focused in this part of Staffordshire.
When monkey dust use first peaked in 2018, police were recording around ten incidents linked to the drug every day. Inter-agency work has tried to reduce these numbers since then, yet the problem continues to show itself. A Freedom of Information release from Staffordshire Police revealed that between 2021 and 2024, there were 455 drug crime cases where monkey dust was mentioned. These incidents were mostly possession or supply of cathinone-type substances, but they highlight the depth of the issue.
That total works out to well over one hundred offences each year in a single county, which underlines the ongoing strain.
The concentration is so marked that local threat assessments rank monkey dust above some Class A drugs because of the impact on communities, even though it remains officially classified as Class B.
Paranoia caused by the drug makes many users mistrustful of professionals, which research shows reduces willingness to seek help. As a result, people often wait until their health breaks down completely, which places greater pressure on emergency services.
While monkey dust may seem like an isolated issue in Stoke-on-Trent, it would be a mistake to think the risks stop at the city’s boundaries. If a drug can devastate one community so completely, it carries the potential to harm others wherever it appears. This is why it’s so important to understand the signs of Monkey Dust addiction, especially if you or a loved one has been using the drug.
What are the signs of Monkey Dust addiction?
Spotting the signs of Monkey Dust addiction is vital, particularly if you or someone you care about is taking the drug on a regular basis. Because Monkey Dust has been linked with unpredictable behaviour and serious health consequences, recognising the warning signals early can make a real difference. By educating yourself on these signs, you give yourself the chance to act quickly if a problem begins to surface.
- Rapid weight loss and loss of appetite
- Intense sweating and overheating
- Noticeable teeth grinding or jaw clenching
- Frequent nosebleeds or breathing problems if snorted
- Insomnia or long periods of wakefulness
- Extreme paranoia or believing people are out to cause harm
- Hallucinations that blur the line between reality and imagination
- Severe anxiety or agitation during and after use
- Mood swings that escalate into aggression or violence
- Ongoing confusion or memory gaps after intoxication
- Using Monkey Dust in dangerous environments or at inappropriate times
- Exhibiting erratic or unpredictable actions, often described as “out of control”
- Withdrawing from family, friends or responsibilities in favour of drug use
- Spending increasing amounts of money despite financial strain
- Risk-taking behaviour that puts personal safety or others at risk
If you have noticed even a handful of these signs, it is important to take them seriously and address them without delay. The longer Monkey Dust use continues, the harder it becomes to step away. In the next section, we will provide a self-questionnaire to help you look more closely at your relationship with the drug and decide if urgent support is needed.
Do I have a Monkey Dust addiction?
If you have recognised some of the warning signs above, now is the time to pause and be honest with yourself. Checking in with your own situation can be uncomfortable, but it may prevent things from spiralling further. Use the following questions as a guide and answer them as truthfully as you can.
- Do you find yourself craving Monkey Dust or struggling to go without it?
- Has your use led to paranoia, hallucinations or aggressive behaviour that worried others?
- Do you continue to take Monkey Dust even though it has damaged relationships or caused trouble with the law?
- Have you tried to stop but found it too difficult to do so?
- Do you spend money on Monkey Dust even when it leaves you short for essentials?
- Have you put yourself or others at risk because of erratic behaviour while using it?
If you answered “yes” to one or two of these questions, it is a clear signal that professional help is needed sooner rather than later. Reaching out now could prevent the situation from escalating, and there are services available that can provide immediate support.
Is there help available for a Monkey Dust addiction?
Monkey Dust’s unpredictable effects and the speed at which problems can spiral mean that waiting to get help can put you or your loved one at serious risk. If you are struggling with Monkey Dust use, the time to act is now.
At UKAT, we understand the dangers that come with this substance and provide tailored support for those caught in its grip. From the first assessment through detox, therapy and aftercare, our focus is on breaking the cycle before it causes further harm.
Do not delay in reaching out. Speaking to our team today could be the difference between ongoing chaos and a path toward stability. The sooner help begins, the stronger the chance of lasting recovery.
Frequently asked questions
(Click here to see works cited)
- “Synthetic Cathinones: An Updated Harms Assessment (Accessible).” GOV.UK, 2025, www.gov.uk/government/publications/synthetic-cathinones-an-updated-harms-assessment/synthetic-cathinones-an-updated-harms-assessment-accessible Accessed 29 Sept. 2025.
- Horsley, Rachel R., et al. “Behavioural, Pharmacokinetic, Metabolic and Hyperthermic Profile of 3,4-Methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) in the Wistar Rat.” Frontiers in Psychiatry, vol. 9, Apr. 2018, https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00144
- Simmons, Steven J., et al. “Comparing Rewarding and Reinforcing Properties between ‘Bath Salt’ 3,4-Methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) and Cocaine Using Ultrasonic Vocalizations in Rats.” Addiction Biology, vol. 23, no. 1, Dec. 2016, pp. 102–10, https://doi.org/10.1111/adb 12479. Accessed 12 Sept. 2019.
- Aarde, S. M., et al. “The Novel Recreational Drug 3,4-Methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) Is a Potent Psychomotor Stimulant: Self-Administration and Locomotor Activity in Rats.” Neuropharmacology, vol. 71, Aug. 2013, pp. 130–40, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropharm.2013.04.003 Accessed 12 Sept. 2019.
- Council, Advisory. “Cover Letter from ACMD with Advice on Synthetic Cathinones (Accessible).” GOV.UK, 12 Feb. 2025, www.gov.uk/government/publications/synthetic-cathinones-an-updated-harms-assessment/cover-letter-from-acmd-with-advice-on-synthetic-cathinones-accessible Accessed 29 Sept. 2025.
- Marsh, Sarah. “Surge in Monkey Dust Drug Use Linked to Social Media, Police Say.” The Guardian, The Guardian, 17 Aug. 2018, www.theguardian.com/society/2018/aug/17/surge-in-monkey-dust-drug-use-linked-to-social-media-police-say Accessed 29 Sept. 2025.
- “July 2023 FOI 1710860-23 Arrests for Monkey Dust | West Yorkshire Police.” West Yorkshire Police, 2023, www.westyorkshire.police.uk/freedom-of-information/july-2023-foi-1710860-23-arrests-monkey-dust Accessed 29 Sept. 2025.
- Mccormack, Fiona, et al. Executive Summary Research into the Use of the Psychoactive Substance Known as “Monkey Dust” in Stoke-On- Trent. 2023, www.chadresearch.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Research-into-the-use-of-the-psychoactive-substance-known-as-Monkey-dust-in-Stoke-on-Trent-Exec-Summary-July-2023.pdf
- Parmenter, Tom. “Hooked on Monkey Dust: Warning of City-Wide ‘Epidemic.’” Sky News, Sky, 9 Aug. 2018, news.sky.com/story/hooked-on-monkey-dust-warning-of-city-wide-epidemic-11468071 Accessed 29 Sept. 2025.
It’s being reported as an epidemic in Stoke – a synthetic drug called monkey dust is causing significant health,… More