Author: Charles Frank

Look Out For These 20 Meth Addiction Symptoms

Initially, many people will attempt to hide their drug use, but the longer someone uses meth, the more prominent it becomes in their lives. Methamphetamine chemically alters how a user thinks and feels, which can make what was once a recreational drug activity a major life priority. If you or someone you love is acting uncharacteristically violent when using meth, it may be time to seek help for meth addiction. You can’t take medication specifically approved to treat meth. But substance use treatment with medical detox and behavioral therapies for addiction can help you recover from meth use disorder. Usually, people who use crystal meth smoke it with a small glass pipe, but they may also swallow it, snort it, or inject it into a vein.

Saliva contains antibacterial properties that naturally help maintain your oral hygiene, but dry mouth leads to less saliva, and heightened exposure to harmful bacteria. Meth use can lead to what’s known as “meth mouth,” and cause inflammation, gum disease, tooth decay, and tooth loss. Aftercare services or ongoing treatment provides the best chances of avoiding future relapse. Aftercare may include community-based and family-based support systems, mutual-help groups, alumni events, and more. You can have a toxic or deadly reaction when you take too much meth. The risks of overdose are higher when you mix the drug with opioids or other stimulants such as cocaine, ecstasy, or amphetamines.

The effects of meth addiction are some of the most dangerous of all addictions. The symptoms of abuse are quick to manifest and easy to spot. You can find local treatment providers with a therapist directory like Psychology Today, or just searching Google for addiction therapists in your area.

What to do if you think a loved one has an addiction

This, in turn, can raise the risk of serious health complications and an overdose. Meth labs are an environmental hazard; the byproducts of cooking meth contaminate their surroundings with harmful fumes that could combust at any time. Many people that cook meth suffer from severe health problems, including asthma, insomnia, tremor, and delusions. Even living in a residence that was once a former meth lab can be detrimental to an individual’s health, as residual chemicals can remain on surfaces in the home for months to years after.

Meth and Mental Health Disorders

Talking about substance use isn’t easy, especially when you’re not totally sure whether someone needs help. You want to offer support, but maybe you worry you’ve misread some signs and don’t want to offend them. Or maybe you’re not even sure it’s your place to broach the subject. Use our rehab directory to find nearby meth treatment centers in your city and state. Xerostomia, also known as dry mouth, is a common side effect of meth use.

How to reduce your risk of relapse

But over the past decade, rates have gone up among Black people and younger folks aged 18-23. Crystal meth is often made with a common cold medicine ingredient called pseudoephedrine, which helps ease congestion. Because it’s used to make meth, the federal government closely regulates products with pseudoephedrine.

Understand they may not feel ready to admit substance use right away

Powdered meth is often cut, or combined, with other substances. This can either dilute the amount of meth to increase the profit to the dealer or combine the intended effects of meth with other substances. Behavioral therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and motivational incentives are cited among the most effective therapies for meth addiction. Meth patients who are also diagnosed with depression and anxiety disorders may be prescribed medications to manage and relieve their symptoms. Meth is highly addictive and can be difficult to stop using without professional help and support. The longer a person uses meth, the more serious their health problems will become as the drug continues damaging major organs.

1. People begin using substances for any number of complex reasons, including trauma and other emotional distress.
2. Since meth stimulates the central nervous system to boost alertness and energy, those addicted to meth often suffer insomnia and sleep disturbances.
3. In the most severe cases, a person can die or become strongly handicapped because of the damage caused by meth.
4. You might wonder if it’s drug use or something else, such as stressful job or time in their life.
5. Treatment may also address other underlying conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or anxiety.

Thankfully, evidence-based treatment programs offered by healthcare professionals can help individuals overcome meth addiction and rebuild a healthy life. A person addicted to meth will experience a wide range of withdrawal symptoms upon quitting meth abruptly, or reducing use. Common meth withdrawal symptoms include night sweats, weight gain, fatigue, suicidal ideation, and drug cravings. The majority of meth withdrawal symptoms are psychological, and can be safely and effectively treated at a meth addiction treatment center. If someone you know is exhibiting signs of meth abuse, it’s essential that you communicate the importance of getting professional help. Inpatient rehabs, therapy, and support groups can all help individuals struggling with a methamphetamine addiction achieve and maintain sobriety.

Our state-specific resource guides offer a comprehensive overview of drug and alcohol addiction treatment options available in your area. Some neurobiological effects could be partially reversible, but it’s important to address meth use as early as possible to prevent any long-term effects and increase the chances of successful treatment. Headaches are themost common meth withdrawal symptom, occurring in 63% of people who use meth, followed by fatigue in 57%, sleep problems in 52%, and depression and anxiety in 41%. Another sign someone is using crystal meth is the crash phase. During this period, the person’s body collapses after the constant stimulation from meth, usually ending in long periods of sleep. A crash can last anywhere fromone to three days, and it can be an outward sign of meth use that’s apparent to people around the user.

Your doctor can assess your overall health by performing a physical exam. They can also refer you to a treatment center and answer any questions you may have. If you recognize the signs of meth use, you should seek help from a medical professional orprofessional rehab treatment program. Someone who is using meth can not only harm themselves but can be a danger to people around them.

If you’re wondering how to tell if someone is using meth, symptoms can include being energized or physically active, and a reduced appetite. Powered methcan vary in appearance, but is normally a white or yellowish powder. It is usually impossible to tell powdered meth apart from other drugs that are in powdered form.

If you’re concerned about a loved one, it’s understandable to panic and want to jump to help right away. Methamphetamine abuse can have devastating physical consequences. American Addiction Centers (AAC) is committed to delivering original, truthful, accurate, unbiased, and medically current information. We strive to create content that is clear, concise, and easy to understand. You may have similar symptoms, but they’re usually less intense and chaotic. In the past, middle-aged white people used this cheap drug most often.