Crystal meth may appear dazzling, but it is anything but harmless. The glass-like fragments or bluish-white rocks are a dangerous form of amphetamine – the same drug used to treat severe medical conditions like ADHD and narcolepsy in limited cases.
Methamphetamine, or “meth,” is among the most widely abused substances worldwide. It is a powerful stimulant drug that produces short-term euphoria and poses health risks and addiction.
Meth abuse has both short- and long-term negative physical and psychological consequences. It also causes serious health problems, including meth mouth and damage to internal organs. It’s essential to be aware of the warning signs of meth abuse so you can help someone with an addiction.
Methamphetamine Substance Abuse & Its Effects
Methamphetamine is notorious for its ability to give users an intense, fleeting high. Many turn to a ” binge and crash pattern,” taking multiple doses over days known as “runs” – often sacrificing food and sleep to pursue this illicit pleasure.
People can take it through smoking, swallowing pills, snorting, or injecting dissolved powder into their system. Methamphetamine use wreaks havoc on the brain, altering areas involved with emotion and memory.
Short-term effects of methamphetamine abuse include decreased appetite, increased heart rate, breathing difficulties, intense sweating, insomnia, confusion, paranoia, and a feeling of euphoria. However, these effects are often followed by a crash that can leave the user feeling irritable, anxious, and paranoid.
Longer-term use can cause severe weight loss due to anorexia, dental problems due to teeth grinding and jaw clenching, liver damage from ingestion of toxic chemicals, and severe skin problems due to poor hygiene. Some other long-term use of meth can have serious consequences, including:
- Meth mouth: Methamphetamine use can cause severe damage to the teeth and gums, resulting in tooth decay, loss of teeth, and other dental problems.
- Brain damage: Meth use can damage the brain, affecting memory, mood, and cognitive abilities.
- Cardiovascular damage: Methamphetamine use can cause high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke.
- Skin problems: Meth use can lead to skin sores, infections, and abscesses due to the user picking at their skin.
- Psychological problems: Meth use can cause anxiety, depression, and paranoia. It can also lead to psychosis and other mental health disorders.
- Addiction: Methamphetamine is highly addictive and can lead to dependence and addiction.
In addition, psychological effects such as mood swings, depression, anxiety, aggression, and psychotic behavior can arise from prolonged use.
Even after long periods of abstinence from the drug, some changes may remain permanent. This highlights why it’s so important to get help for those struggling with methamphetamine addiction before any further damage is done.
How to Tell if Someone is Using Meth
When someone is using meth, it can be difficult to tell. However, some telltale signs include:
- Sudden changes in behavior or mood
- Increased energy and talkativeness
- Weight loss
- Dilated pupils
- Decreased appetite
- Insomnia
- Skin sores
- Dental problems
People using meth may also show signs of compulsive activities like repetitive motions or intense focus on seemingly meaningless tasks.
How to Help a Meth Addict
If you suspect someone you know is using meth, you must approach the situation with compassion and understanding. The best way to help meth addicts is by admitting them through 60-day treatment centers that provide comprehensive care, including medical detox, therapy, and support groups like The Blanchard Institute.
Finding a way out for those trapped in the never-ending cycle of substance abuse can seem impossible. Fortunately, help is available! Substance Abuse Treatment – or drug rehab – provides an invaluable resource for individuals who lost control over their addiction and are desperate to regain a meaningful life without dependency on drugs. It’s also essential that the addicted individual abstains from drug use during treatment for these treatments to be successful.
If you’re having difficulty navigating conversations about meth addiction, there are resources available, like The Blanchard Institute, to help guide you. In addition to professional help, support from family and friends is vital for anyone recovering from substance abuse. Offer your time and attention, listen without judgment, and provide love and understanding during this difficult time.
Why Choose The Blanchard Institute
Blanchard’s programs provide personalized, comprehensive care to people who overcome addiction. From initial detox through management for sobriety to recovery management programs, we provide the tools you need for a healthy future.
You can move past substance abuse and get your life together with the proper support. Contact us today and take the first step toward recovery!