Methamphetamine Meth Addiction & Abuse: Signs, Symptoms, & Dangers

If this means putting an added focus on addressing the physical side effects of meth use, your team will help construct your recovery plan around that. Any type of substance use disorder, meth included, leads to behavioral changes related to the innate nature of substance use. People who seek out substances have an understanding of what the general population thinks about this act. That’s why substance use, as a whole, can lead to an array of behavioral changes regardless of the substance of choice. Methamphetamine, commonly referred to as meth, is a form of stimulant.

  • After the initial rush, the crash following methamphetamine use is characterized by extreme fatigue, depression, and intense cravings, which lead to the cycle of repeated use and eventual dependence.
  • REBT for addiction helps people recognize and change negative thoughts that cause emotional instability and harmful behaviors.
  • Each of these treatment options plays a vital role in overcoming meth addiction, and often, a combination of these approaches is most effective.
  • Long-term meth use can damage blood vessels in the brain, and cause stroke and other fatal events such as heart attacks.

How to Stop Using (Meth Addiction Treatment)

  • Once the drug wore off, many soldiers reported feeling anxious, angry and aggressive.
  • These changes are accompanied by excessive sweating, dilated pupils, and dry mouth.
  • Thankfully, evidence-based treatment programs offered by healthcare professionals can help individuals overcome meth addiction and rebuild a healthy life.
  • Though it’s not impossible to stop using meth on your own, it is often more challenging.
  • As mentioned above, severe dental complications are a typical sign, characterized by decaying teeth and inflamed gums.

Appetite and sleep patterns usually return to normal after a few months without meth. The withdrawal symptoms of crystal meth addiction are listed below. The effects of crystal meth addiction are classified into two categories, short-term and long-term effects. The causes of crystal meth addiction are changes in brain chemistry and genetic, psychological, and environmental factors. Crystal meth is made through a chemical process that starts with pseudoephedrine, a common ingredient in cold medications.

At Pinnacle, we understand that recovery is about treating the whole person – mind, body, and spirit.

  • The substance is similar in chemical composition to amphetamine, which is a drug doctors prescribe to treat conditions including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and narcolepsy.
  • You might wonder if it’s drug use or something else, such as stressful job or time in their life.
  • Treatment support can be vital in preventing meth addiction relapse.
  • Snorting meth takes slightly to give a high but still leads to addiction.
  • Aftercare programs may include continued counseling, therapy sessions, and community support activities to help individuals avoid relapse and continue their recovery journey.
  • Group counseling is another key part of treatment for meth addiction and PTSD.

Narcotics Anonymous and Crystal Meth Anonymous are good places to start. You probably feel scared, worried, sad, even angry — or quite possibly all of the above. Maybe they deny it and get angry, or brush you off and make light of things. Even if they feel ready to accept help, they might have lingering worries about judgement from others or legal penalties. But sometimes letting them know you’re willing to listen without judgment can help them feel safe enough to talk.

State Rehab Guides

meth addiction symptoms

That’s why it’s so important to detox under professional care, and follow detox with comprehensive addiction treatment to address the underlying causes of meth use. Depression affects almost 48% of those who struggle with meth addiction. Meth use can alter the natural balance of brain chemicals responsible for controlling one’s mood, and can lead to depression, bipolar disorder, and other mental health disorders. Options is a mental health and addiction treatment center for adolescents, adults, and seniors. Located in Indianapolis, IN, meth addiction Options provides specialized care for each unique individual.

meth addiction symptoms

meth addiction symptoms

Drug rehabilitation inpatient programs may offer assistance through the withdrawal process, helping a person to recover from SUD. According to a 2018 review of studies, people who have had adverse childhood experiences are more likely to develop methamphetamine-related psychiatric symptoms (MAP). Meth releases high levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine into the brain’s “reward circuitry” very quickly.

  • Choose a time when it’s just the two of you and they seem like they’re in a decent mood.
  • Physical symptoms include meth mouth, extreme weight loss, and skin sores.
  • If a drug is so dangerous, so addictive, and so debilitating, why do people use it?
  • For those who have asthma, the continued smoke added to their lungs can also trigger asthma attacks.

Methamphetamine Addiction Treatment & Rehab Options

Abscesses appear around injection sites, often on the arms and legs. Prolonged methamphetamine consumption also weakens the immune system, increasing the susceptibility to infections. Malnutrition is another concern, as meth suppresses appetite, leading to extreme weight loss and nutritional deficiencies. Organ damage, particularly to the liver and kidneys, is common due to the toxic nature of the substance and the body’s prolonged efforts to metabolize it. Our state-specific resource guides offer a comprehensive overview of drug and alcohol addiction treatment options available in your area.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top