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Khat Addiction

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Textbook of Addiction Treatment: International Perspectives

Abstract

Khat refers to the young and tender leaves and shoots of the khat tree (Catha edulis). It is an evergreen tree that can be found in the Abyssinian highlands, the Horn of Africa, Eastern and Southern Africa, the Arab peninsula, and Afghanistan. The alkaloid cathinone (S-(-)-a-aminopropiophenone) is considered to be the main psychoactive compound. The leaves and tender stems are usually chewed and kept in a tight wad in the cheek pocket. Within about 15–30 min, the user experiences physiological excitability, euphoria, talkativeness, and flow of ideas. Today, cathinone is listed in Schedule I and cathine in Schedule III of the international Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971, but the khat leaves are not internationally controlled. A problem with diagnosis of khat addiction is that established dependence criteria are not easily applicable as is the case for other traditional substances. More research information is needed about the prevalence of a khat dependence, its consequences, and its treatment.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Klinische Psychologie, Zentrum für Psychiatrie Reichenau, Universität Konstanz, Feursteinstr. 55, Reichenau, 78479, Germany

    Michael Odenwald

  2. Centre for Health Service Studies, University of Kent, Canterbury, CT27PD, Kent, UK

    Axel Klein

  3. Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Centre for Psychiatry, Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, Old Anatomy Building, EC1M 6BQ, London, UK

    Nasir Warfa

Authors
  1. Michael Odenwald
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  2. Axel Klein
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  3. Nasir Warfa
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michael Odenwald .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, Alberta Gambling Research Institute University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

    Nady el-Guebaly

  2. Faculty of Brain Sciences UCL Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, United Kingdom

    Giuseppe Carrà

  3. Division of Alcoholism & Drug Abuse, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA

    Marc Galanter

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Odenwald, M., Klein, A., Warfa, N. (2015). Khat Addiction. In: el-Guebaly, N., Carrà, G., Galanter, M. (eds) Textbook of Addiction Treatment: International Perspectives. Springer, Milano. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-5322-9_19

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-5322-9_19

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Milano

  • Print ISBN: 978-88-470-5321-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-88-470-5322-9

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