Meth Addiction and Treatment Options

More commonly known as meth, methamphetamine is a powerful and addictive stimulant. Addiction to methamphetamine can lead to serious health consequences including overdose and death. Learning more about its effects on the mind and body can help you decide if methamphetamine addiction treatment is right for you.

What is Methamphetamine?

Methamphetamine is a nervous system stimulant, which means it increases the level of activity in the central nervous system. It is chemically and functionally similar to amphetamine, and it can be used clinically to treat a variety of disorders including ADHD and narcolepsy. Methamphetamine is synthesized from amphetamines, and it was originally intended to treat respiratory illness.

However, the compound is used illicitly to create a pleasurable high that provides energy and a sense of well-being. It is considered a Schedule II drug by the US DEA, which means it has limited medical use and has a high potential for abuse and dependence.

Street Names for Meth

Methamphetamine has a glass-like structure that may look similar to rocks that are heated up and injected or smoked. Many of its street names are derived from its characteristic physical qualities. It is commonly known as crystal meth or just crystal. It may also be referred to as ice, glass, shards, crank, speed, or chalk.

Why is Methamphetamine Addictive?

As a stimulant, meth gives users a rush of energy and well-being, sometimes enhancing sociability. Its effects may come on very quickly depending on how it is ingested, providing a sudden stimulating rush. When injected or smoked, the effects can be felt almost immediately though they are relatively brief. This leads to more meth use in an attempt to maintain or re-experience the euphoric rush.

In the nervous system, meth increases the level of dopamine in the brain. This neurotransmitter is associated with the sensation of pleasure, often creating a system of reinforcement whereby meth use is rewarded chemically, so it is continued. Its action in the brain makes it more powerful than amphetamines, which is part of the reason why it is especially addictive.

Short-Term Effects of Meth Addiction

Meth addiction and abuse can have several short-term effects on basic physiological functions. Though the rush of euphoria doesn’t last very long, the overall state of alertness and its associated side effects may persist for up to 12 hours after use. These include:

Dilated pupils
Suppressed appetite
Excessive sweating
Elevated blood pressure
Increased temperature
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea
Dizziness
Sleep disturbances
Dry mouth
Dry or itchy skin
Aggressiveness
Abnormal or increased heart rate
Compulsive behaviors or tics
Odd, hostile, or erratic behavior

Long-Term Effects of Meth Addiction

Long-term effects of meth addiction can be damaging and irreversible. These dangerous effects may include:

Tooth decay
Organ failure
Weight loss
Malnutrition
Memory loss
Cardiovascular irregularities like arrhythmias and cardiac arrest
Seizures
Sores on skin from compulsive skin picking
Nasal irritation or perforated septum due to habitual snorting
Track marks due to habitual injecting
Drug-induced psychosis
Stroke
Hyperthermia
Death Severe withdrawal symptoms when methamphetamine use is discontinued

Signs of Crystal Meth Addiction

As a stimulant, addiction to methamphetamines falls under the umbrella category of stimulant use disorder. A diagnosis of stimulant use disorder for meth requires the presence of two out of the following diagnostic symptoms over the course of a 12-month period. These symptoms include:

Taking more of the drug than intended or for longer periods than intended
Increased time spent trying to obtain, use, or recover from using meth
A powerful and persistent craving for meth
Trying to cut back and being unable to
Neglect of social or professional responsibilities due to crystal meth use
Inability to quit using meth despite its detrimental effects on physical or mental health
Loss of interest in hobbies and interests outside of meth use
Using meth even in situations where it is personally hazardous to do so like while driving
Continued use despite interpersonal problems caused by meth use
Tolerance, requiring higher doses of the drug to achieve the same effects
Withdrawal symptoms when meth use is reduced or stopped

Methamphetamine Use Signs And Symptoms

In addition to diagnostic criteria for meth addiction, several behavioral issues may be helpful warning signs that someone is struggling with the drug. These include:

Aggressive or erratic behavior
Excessive energy that cannot be attributed to natural causes
Rambling speech that is fast and may be incoherent or disorganized
Isolation from friends and family
Sudden significant weight loss that cannot be explained by other conditions
Excessive scratching or skin-picking that may lead to skin sores
Burns on lips or fingers
Track marks on arms or other parts of the body from injecting
Sudden changes in sleep habits
Mood swings
Irregular patterns of speech or movement

Methamphetamine Use Risks And Dangers

Prolonged meth use can have severe impacts on an individual’s health. Issues such as heart problems and organ failure may be common. Stimulants such as methamphetamines can put a major strain on the heart, which may struggle to rebound from continuous meth use. Kidney and liver damage are also common long-term dangers of meth use.

Due to the severe effects of meth on the brain, memory and learning problems may develop over time. The degenerative nature of the chemical may eventually lead to impaired cognitive abilities, memory loss, hallucinations and delusions, and loss of emotional control which may cause long-term anxiety or psychotic symptoms. These may persist for years after use and may resemble severe illnesses like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s.

In addition to direct risks and dangers associated with meth use, it can also have indirect effects. As with any drug that is commonly used intravenously, meth comes with added risks of contracting blood-borne diseases like HIV or Hepatitis if needles are shared. Paranoia is a common side effect of meth use, which may lead users to become violent or even homicidal.

Methamphetamine Overdose Signs And Symptoms

Meth is implicated in up to 15% of all overdose deaths in the US according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. As it can be life-threatening, meth overdose should be taken seriously. If you or someone you know is exhibiting symptoms of overdose, you should call for emergency medical care. Some signs and symptoms of methamphetamine overdose include:

Fever
Confusion
Hallucinations
Nausea
Vomiting
Intense anxiety or panic
Rapid breathing
Stomach cramps
Tremors
Increased heart rate

Methamphetamine Overdose Risks And Dangers

Meth overdose can be dangerous because of the stimulant effects of the drug on the body. If body temperature rises to a dangerous level, it can cause hyperthermia. This condition may lead to stroke, organ failure, or convulsions. If the body isn’t returned to a stable state, this can be life-threatening.

What Is Meth Withdrawal?

Withdrawal occurs when a person stops taking meth and the body has to adjust to this sudden chemical change. Withdrawal typically occurs hand in hand with tolerance, wherein a person’s system has grown accustomed to having meth and cannot function without it. Depriving the brain of meth and the associated neurochemical effects leads to unpleasant and potentially distressing side effects.

Methamphetamine Withdrawal Signs And Symptoms

Meth withdrawal symptoms may include:

Anxiety
Fatigue
Cravings
Depression
Psychosis

These symptoms make it difficult for habitual users to cut back, typically resuming drug use to avoid the distress caused by quitting.

Medical Detox for Meth Addiction

Some individuals are at high risk for severe withdrawal either because of the length of time used or because they may have co-occurring substance abuse. In cases of severe addiction, medical detox is recommended, allowing individuals to recover safely in the comfort and safety of a rehabilitation center where withdrawal symptoms can be managed and alleviated. Medical detox follows an established plan of withdrawal that is then supervised by healthcare professionals to reduce the impact and ensure that a person is able to safely eliminate the drug from his or her system. Detox is typically the first step in a lengthier addiction treatment program.

Meth Addiction FAQs

Meth Addiction Treatment at Riverwalk Ranch

A Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area Addiction Treatment Center

At Riverwalk Ranch, we can treat meth addiction as part of our comprehensive addiction treatment services. Located in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, our professionals use only scientifically-supported treatments to help you safely and comfortably begin your journey toward recovery. Our facilities provide an encouraging and safe haven to detox, surrounded by medical professionals, addiction specialists, and other like-minded individuals all working toward a healthier addiction-free life.

If you or a loved one is suffering from meth addiction, don’t hesitate to contact our addiction treatment center today at (877) 863-3869. Timely intervention could mean the difference between life and death. Whether you call Texas home or you’re looking to begin your recovery journey in a new environment, Riverwalk Ranch can provide a therapeutic and supportive home for you. Everyone deserves a happy and healthy life free from addiction, and we are committed to helping you overcome meth addiction in order to get you there.

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