Meth Sores on Face and Body

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meth sores

The effects of using meth can be quite extreme. One such effect is getting meth sores on the skin—mostly on the arms, chest, face, and lips.

Skin sores are just one overt sign of how toxic the substance meth is. It can have a devastating affect on a person’s life. Because it impacts the brain so profoundly, it can cause psychotic symptoms, such as paranoia and hallucinations, and decreased mental abilities. It also causes violent behavior and impulsive risk-taking. Learn more about methamphetamine and its risks.

About Methamphetamine

Meth is a manmade stimulant drug composed of amphetamine and hallucinogenic ingredients. These are often derived from household products like drain cleaner, lighter fluid, brake cleaner, batteries, paint-thinner, or battery acid.

The drug is manufactured mostly in Mexico. Meth use has risen during the pandemic, and seizures of the drug along the border have doubled in the last two years.

Meth is a white powered substance. A more potent version, crystal meth, has a glass-like look and is referred to as ice. Meth can be taken in many ways, such as being smoked, swallowed in pill form, snorted, or injected.

The effects of meth produce a powerful rush, causing the person to feel more confident, energetic, hyperactive, and in need of little sleep. Meth can also cause agitation, irritability, and aggressive behavior. It is referred to as the “meth crash” when the drug wears off. The crash features lethargy, anxiety, confusion, insomnia, cravings, and thoughts of self-harm or suicide.

What Are Meth Sores?

The skin is where meth can really reveal itself, in the form of sores on the body and the face. Sores can take on different appearances. Some may look like scabs, while others may look like burns, and still others as acne or open wounds. When someone presents with sores on their body, face, or lips, there is a good chance they have a meth problem.

What Causes Meth Sores?

There are many reasons why someone may acquire meth sores. These include:

  • Meth mites. The user hallucinates that there are tiny mites crawling on or under their skin. This prompts the person to pick at the skin in an effort to get rid of the imagined bugs.
  • Crystal meth pipe. Someone who smokes crystal meth may develop meth sores around their mouth, caused by burns from the pipe.
  • Meth sweat. Because meth is water-soluble, it can sweat out through the pores. This irritates the skin, causing sores.
  • Restricted blood flow. Meth causes the blood vessels to restrict, which can cause dry, scaly patches on the face or arms.
  • Weakened immune system. Meth use causes the immune system to become compromised. This makes it harder to fight off infection, so the sores that are there will not heal in a timely manner.

Because the meth sores cause irritation, the person may continue to pick at or itch their skin. This only makes the sores worse, even leading to infections. Once an infection enters the bloodstream it increases the risk of sepsis, which is often life threatening.

Signs of Meth Addiction

Meth abuse and addiction are very hard on the body and the brain. There are some distinct features of meth addiction that cannot be missed. These include:

  • Psychological signs of meth addiction:
    • Insomnia
    • Paranoia
    • Psychosis
    • Mood swings.
  • Physical signs of meth addiction:
    • Droopy skin.
    • Severe tooth decay.
    • Skin sores on face and body.
    • Weight loss.
    • Contracting HIV or hepatitis from IV meth use.
  • Behavioral signs of meth addiction:
    • Risky behaviors.
    • Hyperactivity
  • Legal problems:
    • Incarceration
    • Child custody battles.
    • DUI arrest.

Struggling with meth addiction?

Meth addiction can feel impossible to break alone. Bodhi can help you take the next step.

Explore meth treatment options

Treatment for Meth Addiction

When someone has developed a meth addiction, they should seek treatment at a residential or inpatient program. Meth addiction is a more challenging substance use disorder to treat and often requires a longer treatment window. Also, the erratic behaviors that are associated with meth are better managed in this higher level of care setting.

The recovery process begins with a detox. It takes about a week for a meth detox to be completed. During the detox and withdrawal, there is some discomfort. The detox team is tasked with providing meds to help manage the withdrawal symptoms.

Benefits of Meth Addiction Rehab

To assist someone in overcoming a meth addiction, the rehab provides a series of ongoing therapies. Each of these works in a specific way to help the person change their behaviors:

  • One-on-one therapy. These private sessions with a therapist help the person in recovery identify any underlying issues that may be factors. CBT can assist the person in taking a hard look at thought/behavior patterns that are fueling drug-seeking actions.
  • Group therapy. Group therapy is a very important treatment element. A trained clinician leads small peer group sessions during which the group chats about a given topic. These sessions are sources of support and foster bonding among peers.
  • Medication. In some cases, the person may have a co-occurring mental health challenge. If so, meds can help manage the symptoms, which allows treatment to proceed in a productive way.
  • 12-step program. The A.A. or N.A. The 12-step program is often part of the rehab programming.
  • Classes. Classes teach the addict how meth addiction develops and how this dangerous drug impacts the central nervous system and brain. The classes also focus on relapse prevention planning as well as teaching practical coping skills.
  • Holistic. Recovering from meth is very hard. It helps to have some holistic techniques that can help promote relaxation and reduce stress. These include yoga, meditation, journaling, and art therapy.

Meth sores are just one of many adverse effects caused by this harmful drug. If you are finding meth sores on your body, it is time to reach out for help. Enroll in a treatment program and change your life for the better.

Bodhi Addiction Treatment Provides Treatment for Meth Addiction

Bodhi Addiction Treatment Center is a full-spectrum addiction and dual diagnosis treatment program. If you or a loved one is showing the signs of meth addiction, including the sores, please reach out today. Call us at (877) 328-1968.

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How Long Does Methadone Withdrawal Last

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how long does methadone withdrawal last

Maybe you’ve been on MAT with methadone after treatment for heroin addiction, or maybe methadone was your drug of choice. Either way, you want off this drug and may wonder, “how long does methadone withdrawal last?”

Methadone is an opioid that is mostly used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs. These are drugs that replace heroin or other opioids. Methadone is prescribed for a minimum of one year, although some people may remain on the drug for years.

Even though you have replaced heroin with methadone, the problem is that you become dependent on this drug as well. At some point, you may decide to attempt total sobriety or to replace methadone with another drug.

When the time comes that you wish to stop the MAT program and quit methadone you will need expert support. How long methadone withdrawal lasts, and how severe the symptoms will be, is unique to each person. Keep reading to learn more about methadone and going through methadone withdrawal.

What is Methadone?

Methadone is a synthetic opioid that is prescribed for people in recovery from a heroin or opioid use disorder. Methadone is a Schedule II controlled substance, requiring that maintenance therapy be tightly regulated. Methadone is dispensed from clinics using strict controls in order to reduce the risk of misuse.

As a drug that will replace heroin, methadone satisfies the brain’s reliance on an opioid. It, therefore, thwarts withdrawal symptoms as the body adjusts to it. Unlike other opioids, methadone does not produce a euphoric effect. The treatment goal is that, over time, the person no longer exhibits drug-seeking behavior. This allows them to be more stable in recovery.

What is MAT?

Heroin addiction treatment now involves MAT. The treatment provides opioid antagonists and agonists to help control cravings and slowly reduce the desire for the drug. These drugs are prescribed for the purpose of helping someone in recovery have a better shot at a successful recovery. In most cases, the drugs are prescribed for a limited time, such as 3-12 months, before starting a taper. However, in some cases, long-term use of these drugs is warranted.

MAT is always closely monitored, as these drugs themselves are prone to abuse. Some people may begin to use them illicitly. They may crush the drug and snort it or liquefy the drug and inject it. These drugs are always prescribed as one part of an aftercare program. It should include outpatient therapy and support groups.

Methadone is the most strictly controlled drug of all the MAT options. By replacing heroin, it tricks the brain into thinking it is getting the heroin. Methadone is only to be obtained through a special clinic.

Long-Term Effects of Methadone

While methadone is used for at least a one-year period, there are risks involved with the long-term use of methadone. Some of the adverse events that can occur when this drug is used for a protracted time period may include:

  • Becoming dependent or addicted to methadone.
  • Damage to sexual function.
  • Lasting changes in menstrual cycles of women.
  • Memory impairment.
  • Cognitive changes.
  • Lung damage.
  • Problems related to neglect of personal hygiene, such as tooth decay.

What to Expect in Methadone Detox and Withdrawal?

When you decide to stop taking daily methadone and wish to achieve total sobriety it is important to have medical support. Withdrawal symptoms may be anywhere from mild to severe.

There are some factors that will influence how severe the methadone withdrawal symptoms will be. These include:

  • How long you have been on methadone.
  • Your age.
  • The dose of methadone you were on.
  • BMI
  • Genetics

Before stopping this drug you will need a tapering plan in place. This allows you to slowly adjust to lower and lower doses of methadone. By doing a taper you greatly reduce cravings, the pain of the symptoms, as well as the risk of relapse.

The onset of withdrawal symptoms is slower than with other drugs. This is due to the long half-life of this drug. It means that the symptoms emerge later and last longer. During detox, a doctor provides meds for the symptoms, such as diarrhea, nausea, high blood pressure, pain, and anxiety.

The detox process will progress in three stages:

Stage 1. The withdrawal symptoms start off mild. Expect to feel light flu-like symptoms, such as chills, fever, or muscle aches. It is common to feel a little fuzzy-headed on the first day, as well as have excess yawning. Anxiety is also present in many people.

Stage 2. During this stage, days 2-3 of detox, the symptoms become more intense. The flu-like symptoms will become more pronounced, along with irritability and insomnia. There are strong drug cravings present during this phase of withdrawal. Many have psychological symptoms like hallucinations and paranoia.

Stage 3. The final stage, days 4-10 of detox, sees the symptoms starting to subside. When wondering how long methadone withdrawal last, most symptoms will resolve by day 7, but those with a longer history of methadone use or higher doses take longer. During this stage, depression is quite common, as are cravings.

During stages 2 and 3 of detox, there is a high risk of relapse. Without expert support, the symptoms and cravings can overpower your desire for sobriety and you just give up. This is why it is so important to have detox support throughout the process.

For some people, methadone addiction is due to misuse and not the effects of a MAT program. If so, you will follow up the detox phase with a treatment program. Treatment will involve a multi-pronged approach of many types of therapy, classes, and 12-step programming.

How long methadone withdrawal lasts depends on several factors. Knowing what to expect during detox can help you get in the right frame of mind before starting the withdrawal process.

Bodhi Addiction Provides Safe Methadone Detox Services

Bodhi Addiction Treatment offers on-site medical detox support for those wishing to stop the methadone MAT program. At Bodhi we strive to provide the utmost in comfort as you progress through the detox process. If you have questions about methadone detox, please give our team a call today at (877) 328-1968.

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