Meth Addiction Signs and Treatment
Crystal methamphetamine (meth) is a potent stimulant that looks like shiny, bluish-white rocks. Meth can be smoked, snorted, or injected. Meth will cause increased wakefulness and sex drive, and strong sensations of euphoria. The effects happen quickly and the comedown happens after a few hours, but it leads to a devastating crash in energy. This can lead some users to binge on meth, frequently taking the substance over several days.
Meth is a dangerous and highly-addictive drug. Using meth for a long period can result in severe physical and mental health issues, including paranoia, hallucinations, severe weight loss, and changes to your brain structure. Meth can cause users to act violently and dangerously, themselves and those around in danger.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the misuse of meth is seen as a serious issue in the United States. This drug contributes to the most drug-related violent crimes. If you know someone who is, or maybe, struggling with meth addiction, find them help immediately. Preferred Med Supply has drug testing kits that can help you spot meth usage in friends, family, workers, or anyone else you may suspect is using meth. If you’re uncertain if someone you know is using meth, these signs can help you know if someone should get tested or not.
How Does Meth Affect The Brain?
Meth increases the amount of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is a natural chemical found in the brain that helps influence mood, body movement, motivation, and reward-seeking behavior. When you take meth, it rewires the part of the brain that is responsible for reinforcing behaviors that make us feel good.
Your brain will naturally release dopamine after certain activities such as exercise, sex, and eating. Dopamine is meant to register activities as pleasurable making you want to do them again. Using meth associates dopamine release with taking in more and more of the drug, making it harder to resist.
Short-Term Effects of Meth
Meth is a stimulant and even a small dose can make someone experience the effects.
Short-term effects include:
- Increased attention and decreased tiredness
- Increased energy and wakefulness
- Decreased appetite
- Feelings of euphoria
- Convulsions
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- High body temperature
Some of these side effects, such as convulsions and high body temperature, can be hazardous and lead to death if left untreated.
Long-Term Dangers of Meth Usage
If someone uses meth constantly, it can lead to severe physical, mental, and social issues.
Long-Term effects may include:
- Extreme weight loss
- Dental problems (meth mouth)
- Itching
- Anxiety
- Modifications to brain function and structure
- Confusion
- Memory problems
- Sleeping issues
- Violent behavior
- Paranoia
- Hallucinations
Constant usage of meth can alter areas of the brain that are responsible for the coordination and verbal learning. Long-term usage can alter parts of the brain that relate to emotion and memory. Some changes are reversible while others are permanent.
Signs of Meth Usage and Symptoms
It can be difficult to spot early signs of meth usage or addiction. If you’re worried that someone you know or love is using meth, order an at-home drug testing kit to get the answers you need.
Signs and symptoms of meth addiction:
- Pinching of hair or skin
- Reduced appetite
- Weight loss
- Dilated pupils
- Lack of sleep
- Rapid eye movement
- Wild swings in mood and behavior
- Paranoia
- Outbursts and irritability
Treatment for Meth Addiction
The most effective drug rehab program will mix various treatments together to suit an individual’s needs. Many people will turn to detox centers. Most treatment centers will start with detox which helps remove the various toxins from your body.
Overcoming meth addiction may be difficult, but it can be done. Users that have overcome meth addiction have done so with the help of rehab, family therapy, support groups, behavioral therapy, and dual diagnosis.
The best way to treat meth addiction is to recognize the signs early. Doing so will prevent the addiction from becoming something even worse. If you know someone that is possibly using meth, visit our shop page today and get an at-home drug testing kit. These kits will give you the answers you need to ensure that someone you love doesn’t go down the wrong path.