Meth Addiction Symptoms

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Meth Addiction Symptoms

Methamphetamine (crystal meth or meth) is a highly addictive and harmful substance that stimulates the central nervous system. Meth is associated with about 25% of emergency room visits, mostly within the 26 to 44-age bracket of users. To learn more meth addiction symptoms and its effects on the mind and body, please read on.

Learn About Meth

Meth is an illicit substance that is used in a variety of ways for recreational use. These include smoking, orally using pill form, snorting, and injecting the drug. Meth may be purchased in a white powder form, which can be fine or coarse in appearance. Meth can take on hues of pink or yellow when cut with various additives. The drug is also distributed in rock or crystal form.

Meth is a Schedule II controlled substance, meaning it has a high potential for abuse and addiction. Meth is produced using the stimulants ephedrine and pseudoephedrine and combined with common household products to enhance the psychoactive effects. These products might include antifreeze, lithium, hydrogen peroxide, drain cleaner, and Freon.

Effects of Meth

Someone who ingests meth will experience a short-lived high that includes increased euphoria, heightened energy, increased alertness, and wellbeing. However, there are also some common adverse effects, such as:

  • Hyperactivity, mania
  • Tremors
  • Shortness of breath
  • Vomiting
  • Irritability
  • Decreased appetite and weight loss
  • Diarrhea
  • Weigh loss
  • Insomnia

How Meth Impacts Your Life

Individuals who become addicted to meth suffer many terrible consequences. Due to the toxic substances contained in meth, there can be harsh effects on the body. Equally severe are the various other effects this drug can have on someone’s life. These negative effects may include:

  • Loss of bone density
  • Severe dental decay
  • Abscesses and skin infections
  • Weaken immune system
  • HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B or C
  • Cognitive impairment
  • Memory loss
  • Isolation
  • Strained relationships
  • Job instability
  • Academic failure
  • Finance problems
  • Legal problems
  • Mental health problems
  • Suicidal thoughts or actions

Why is Meth so Dangerous?

There is good reason to be very concerned about someone who is engaging in meth use. This is a dangerous compound that can have many life threatening or life altering effects. Consider these:

  • Addiction. Meth is highly addictive because it releases a flood of dopamine in the brain, which results in drug seeking behaviors. This sets in motion the meth addiction symptoms that follow. A person can get addicted after just one use.
  • Brain damage. The toxic chemicals in meth have the potential to cause permanent brain damage.
  • Psychosis. Long-term use of meth may result in severe mental health crisis including delusions, paranoid thoughts, and hallucinations.
  • Parkinson’s disease. A recent study showed that meth addicts were at an increase risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.
  • High-risk behaviors. Meth reduces a person’s ability to control their impulses, which can result in them engaging in dangerous activities.
  • Explosions and fires. The process of making meth in a makeshift lab or home is very dangerous due to the ingredients being heated. These can cause explosions.
  • Overdose. Meth overdose may result in heart attack, stroke, or by organ failure caused by overheating.

Meth Addiction Signs and Symptoms

So, how do you know if someone is using meth or is addicted to the drug? What are the red flags to look out for?

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Regular use of the drug leads to increased tolerance. This leads the person to use higher doses of meth in an attempt to achieve the desired effects. In time, the common signs of a meth problem begin to surface. Meth addiction symptoms cover a broad gamut and include:

  • Trying to stop using meth but cannot
  • Stealing money to buy the drug
  • Continuing to use meth despite the negative effects
  • Social withdrawal
  • Impulsive behaviors
  • Obsessed with obtaining and using meth
  • Unusual bursts of energy
  • Lack of sleep
  • Weight loss
  • Agitation
  • Severe mood swings
  • Frequent absences from work
  • Mental confusion
  • Tooth decay
  • Poor hygiene
  • Signs of psychosis
  • How Meth Affects the Mind

Studies have shown that because meth affects the central nervous system, ongoing use can cause the destruction of brain cells or neurons. The death of neurons then causes brain damage in a number of areas in the brain that can be permanent.

Meth also has an outsized effect on mental health. Some of the ways meth addiction symptoms can include mental health are:

  • Insomnia
  • Violent tendencies
  • Homicidal or suicidal thoughts
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Paranoia
  • Feeling that bugs are crawling under the skin
  • Reduced concentration
  • Memory impairment
  • Psychosis

How to Break Free from a Meth Addiction

Meth addiction is very difficult to overcome, although definitely possible. To be successful, it is critical that you or the loved one enroll in detox and then a treatment program. Here are the steps for meth addiction recovery:

  • Meth detox. Detox and withdrawal is the first step in recovery. Detox is the process of ridding the body of any meth still in the system. Withdrawal symptoms are difficult to endure without professional oversight, especially the mental health effects of withdrawal. The detox team provides both medical and emotional support.Symptoms may include:
    • Nausea and vomiting
    • Diarrhea
    • Extreme fatigue
    • Intense cravings
    • Dry mouth
    • Shaking
    • Lethargy and sleepiness
    • Insomnia or hypersomnia
    • Nightmares
    • Increased appetite
    • Agitation
    • Mood swings
    • Confusion
    • Anxiety
    • Depression
    • Paranoia
  • Therapy. Individual and group therapy sessions involve working with licensed therapists to examine any underlying factors that drive the addictive behaviors.
  • Psycho-social education. You will engage in classes that teach new coping skills to help you navigate recovery and avoid meth relapse.
  • 12-step. Recovery programs like A.A., N.A., or SMART Recovery are often woven into the treatment milieu.
  • Dual diagnosis. Many times someone with a meth addiction also has a co-occurring mental health disorder which will also be treated during rehab.
  • Holistic methods. A whole person focus allows you to explore holistic activities that provide healing of both mind and body.

Bodhi Addiction Treatment & Wellness Offers Guidance for Meth Addiction

Bodhi Addiction Treatment is an outpatient program that also provides interventions and referrals to high quality residential treatment centers. If you recognize the meth addiction symptoms in a loved one, please reach out to us today for support and guidance at (877) 328-1968.

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