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Drug addiction is a serious public health problem, and methamphetamine, also known as meth, is one of the most addictive and destructive substances out there. It can quickly spiral into dependence, causing severe consequences for individuals and their families.
Meth addiction can cause serious health issues and can even cause death. Thousands of people in the United States struggle with meth addiction each year. But it’s important to remember that addiction is a treatable disease, and recovery is possible.
If you or someone you love is using meth, it’s crucial to recognize the symptoms of meth use early on. This article will help you identify potential signs of addiction and offer guidance on finding support and treatment.
Let’s break down the stigma surrounding addiction and ensure that those struggling get the help they deserve.
What Are the Side Effects & Symptoms of Meth Use?
Meth is a synthetically made stimulant drug that is highly addictive. It can be injected, smoked, taken orally, or snorted and is frequently used along with other substances or drugs.
Because meth is a stimulant, the user will experience a temporary feeling of extreme euphoria, increased energy, and heightened alertness. That is because the stimulant behavior of the drug increases the amount of dopamine in the body. Dopamine is a naturally occurring chemical released by the brain from the reward center and helps create the feeling of happiness.
Dopamine is released in many ways, including through physical activity and some drugs. It increases motivation to repeat the behavior that triggered the dopamine release and reinforces conditions of reward behaviors. This means that if you do something when your brain releases dopamine, you will become addicted to it because you know that behavior will bring about the release of dopamine and make you feel good. This is the cause of many addictions, not just drug addictions.
Some of the side effects of using meth are quite extreme. Meth changes how your brain functions on a chemical level, so your personality, mental clarity, and mental health can change quite drastically over time while using the drug.
Symptoms of using meth can range from unpleasant to life-threatening. Because meth is a stimulant, it increases the speed at which the body functions. This means that the user’s blood pressure will increase, their heart rate will speed up, and their breathing will quicken. This can trigger panic attacks, anxiety attacks, and serious cardiovascular issues.
Over time, people addicted to meth may experience:
- Severe cases of paranoia
- Increased irritability and aggression
- Extreme mood swings
- Anxiety
- Hallucinations
It’s important to remember that these side effects can occur even in people who have no history of mental health issues. Meth’s powerful effects on the brain can cause significant and lasting damage.
Short-Term and Long-Term Effects of Meth Use
Even short-term meth use can have a significant impact on the body and mind. Some common short-term signs of meth use include:
- Issues with sleep
- Little or no appetite
- Nausea
- Aggressive behavior
- Irritability
- High blood pressure
- Quickened or irregular heart rate
- Fast breathing
- Violent behavior
These short-term effects can happen even with a single, small dose of meth.
The long-term effects of meth usage are more severe. Chronic meth use can lead to:
- Permanent brain damage
- Cardiovascular problems
- Respiratory issues
- Organ damage
- Mental health disorders
- Premature aging
- Skin sores from intense itching
- And death
The psychotic symptoms associated with meth can last for years after meth usage ends. The psychotic symptoms include hallucinations, disruptions in a person’s mood, experiencing delusions and paranoia, or expressing extremely violent or aggressive behavior towards other people. These psychotic symptoms are the results of meth usage and are not a result of other mental health issues.
Addicted to Using Meth: Recognizing the Signs
There are a various signs and symptoms of meth use, affecting both physical appearance and behavior. It’s essential to be aware of these red flags to identify potential addiction and intervene early.
One of the most common symptoms of Meth addiction is a sudden lack of interest in things that were once very important to the person. Suddenly, relationships, their career, hobbies, family, and friends, take a back seat so the user can get meth.
People will often try to hide their meth addiction and drug use in the beginning. However, the longer somebody uses meth, the easier it is to see that there is an issue. It will turn from a recreational activity to a priority in their life, which is hard to hide.
Here are some key indicators to watch for:
Physical Signs
- Increase energy or hyperactivity while they are high
- Moving sporadically or twitching
- Facial tics
- Visible skin sores
- Extreme and sudden weight loss
- Dental problems
- Dilated pupils
- Burns on the lips or the fingers
Behavioral and Psychological Signs
- Insomnia or disturbed sleep patterns
- Paranoia
- Decreased appetite
- Sudden and extreme dental Issues
- Violent outbursts
- Irritability and mood swings
- Tweaking
Tweaking is a symptom of meth use that can last 3 to 15 days. It is a period of extreme anxiety and insomnia. It occurs after a drug binge when the user cannot get the high anymore.
Tweaking can cause psychological issues such as irritability, paranoia, and confusion because of the desperation and addiction to get high again. People can also hallucinate and become extremely violent when they are tweaking.
Another symptom of meth usage and addiction is the meth crash. The crash is when the body cannot get the surge of dopamine that meth was giving it, and it causes extreme depression and exhaustion. A meth crash can last up to 3 days and is often identifiable by the user sleeping for a long time, having strong drug cravings, and intense depression.
If you notice several of these signs in someone you care about, it’s important to share your concerns and encourage them to get professional help.
Meth Withdrawal: Symptoms & Timeline
Withdrawal from meth is a challenging process with both physical and mental effects. However, it’s a crucial step towards recovery and a healthier life. Understanding the symptoms of meth use in adults during withdrawal can help individuals and their loved ones navigate this difficult period.
The initial stage of withdrawal typically begins after the “tweaking” and “crash” phases, when the body starts to adjust to the absence of meth. This phase can be intense, with symptoms including:
- Dehydration
- Appetite changes
- Psychosis
- Exhaustion and fatigue
- Anxiety
- Muscle aches
- Intense cravings for meth
- Headaches
After the beginning, the withdrawal symptoms taper off, and the longer-term symptoms kick in. Long-term meth withdrawal symptoms can cause depression, anxiety, disturbed sleep schedule, intense drug cravings, and cognitive issues.
Withdrawal Timeline
The initial withdrawal phase can last up to two weeks, while the longer-term symptoms can persist for several months. It’s important to remember that everyone’s experience with withdrawal is unique.
Detoxing from meth can be incredibly difficult, and most healthcare professionals will advise that a person undergo the experience of detoxing from meth with medical supervision. This is extremely important if an addict has been addicted for a long time because it is very easy to slip back into using the drug again.
Treatment Meth Addiction: Finding Support & Managing Withdrawal
Since withdrawal from meth is an extremely intense experience, most doctors and healthcare professionals recommend that a person goes through withdrawal and detox under supervision. It is further recommended that the supervision by a person in the medical field who understands meth addiction.
Some medications can be given to users undergoing detox to help mitigate their reactions and discomfort during the process, but that relies on communicating with healthcare professionals about your addiction.
There is also the risk that a user relapses and accidentally overdoses on meth. Fatal accidents like these can be avoided with medical care and supervision.
One of the biggest concerns of the withdrawal and detoxification process is dehydration. Dehydration can quickly kill a person, and because people experiencing withdrawal and detox can become extremely paranoid, have severe anxiety, or hallucinate, they may forget to drink water and take care of themselves.
If you or a loved one is suffering from meth addiction, please know that there are better days ahead and help is available. You deserve care, treatment, and healthy and happy life free from drugs. Please reach out to us now to start your journey to a safer and more fulfilling life.
