Meth Addiction Symptoms 

Resilient Recovery is an addiction treatment center in Lancaster, California. This article explores meth addiction symptoms, the signs to look out for, and how to find help for drug use disorders.

Our drug and alcohol program boasts a high staff-to-patient ratio, and many of our staff are recovering addicts themselves, so they know the unique struggles that come with trying to overcome addiction. 

What is Methamphetamine and Its Impact?

Meth is a highly addictive stimulant that produces intense feelings of euphoria. The onset of this high can depend on the method of ingestion. On a chemical level, meth is similar to amphetamine, which is a drug used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy.

Crystal meth generally appears to be a bluish-white substance that resembles shards of glass, hence the name. There are different ways to ingest it. Some people snort it, some people ingest it orally, and some smoke it. But one of the most dangerous ways in which meth is used is through injection.

Injecting is not inherently dangerous. Rather, the danger comes from poor hygiene protocols. Many meth addicts share needles, which can lead to the spread of infectious diseases like HIV and various forms of hepatitis.

Meth is a Schedule II drug in the United States, which means that it has no recognized medical or therapeutic value. Possessing it is illegal all over the world.

Understanding the Effects of Meth Addiction

The reason that a lot of people become addicted to meth is because of the intense euphoria. It does this by increasing the release of dopamine in the brain. In addition to the intense euphoria, using meth can also make a person more alert and energetic.

Exploring the Physical Signs and Symptoms of Meth Abuse

Substance abuse is a disease that many people can hide. But, methamphetamine abuse is not so easily concealed. There are a number of physical changes that a person can look out for to see if someone they know may have become addicted to methamphetamine. These can include:

Loss of Appetite

Meth use can suppress the appetite, so many meth addicts can often lose a lot of weight. Using meth is also linked to malnutrition.

Meth mouth

Meth mouth is a variety of oral and dental problems that come with using meth. Meth users can often produce less saliva, which can lead to tooth decay as saliva helps protect the teeth from acid. This lack of saliva can also lead to dry mouth.

Meth use has also been linked to gum disease.

Sleep Disturbance

People who abuse meth can disturb their sleep patterns. Either they sleep more than usual or than needed, or they develop insomnia and become unable to sleep. 

Understanding the Behavioral Signs of Meth Addiction

Because of how it directly targets the brain, there can be a number of physical and behavioral effects of meth addiction. These can include:

Paranoia

People who become addicted to meth can often feel like they’re being persecuted and become suspicious that someone or something is out to get them. They can also have heightened levels of anxiety and become way more nervous than they normally would be.

Mood Swings and Changes in Behavior

Meth usage can alter how a person behaves. For example, they may become more impulsive than usual or become easier to agitate. Many meth users can also become hyperactive and talkative.

Apart from that, many addicts also become more isolated and withdraw from their social circles. They’ll turn down invitations to social functions, and they won’t be as active when it comes to things like hanging out or even communicating. 

Meth users don’t just withdraw from their social circles. They can also neglect their academic or professional responsibilities. Many meth users also begin having financial issues as a result of their addiction.

These symptoms above are not necessarily meth addiction signs. There could be legitimate reasons for changes in a person’s behavior or weight loss. But, if you observe multiple signs of meth use, then it may be time to observe them more closely and try helping them before it is too late.

How to Help a Loved One With Substance Abuse Issues

One of the hardest parts of helping someone who has a meth addiction is confronting them. Often, friends and family will stage an intervention in the hope that it gets an addict to help themselves.

Many people learn about meth and the effects it can have on a person. They look at the meth addiction statistics and realize that if they don’t do something, they’re going to lose a loved one.

But many addicts do not want to hear what their loved ones have to say. They may reject what the family has to say due to denial, or they become hostile. Many of them will feel like they’ve been tricked, powerless, and out of control. Many addicts, to get a sense of control back, will lash out and try to redirect. Some might even resort to personal attacks.

One thing needs to be made clear: that is not the person talking; it is their addiction. They are not in the right state of mind. Don’t forget that addiction causes people to behave in ways they normally wouldn’t.

Interventions can be emotionally difficult, but they are often the first step toward putting someone on the path to recovery, so they are necessary. 

However, because of how high tensions can run during an intervention, many people can lose their cool, and the whole thing can devolve into a shouting match when done incorrectly. This is why it is advisable to hire an interventionist who can guide loved ones through the intervention and keep things under control.

How is Meth Addiction Treated?

Meth addiction can be treated with inpatient rehab. Inside a rehab facility, addicts are prepared for managing withdrawal safely and put through various talking therapies. While the detox process is generally unpleasant, a good rehab will provide all the essentials to ensure the patient receives the utmost care.

Understanding the Withdrawal Process from Methamphetamine

One of the most difficult steps of inpatient treatment is detox. In drug rehab, this is when an addict goes through medically supervised withdrawal. The meth withdrawal symptoms can be varied, so detox is done under strict medical supervision.

Therapies

Inpatient treatment can employ a number of therapeutic modalities. One of the most important ones is family therapy. This type of therapy presents an opportunity for loved ones to learn the causes and risk factors that come with addiction so they’re better prepared not just to cope but also to support their loved ones in their recovery.

There’s also individual therapy to address the root cause of the addiction and group therapy so that addicts can see firsthand that they’re not alone in their struggle.

Recognizing the Mental Health Disorders Associated with Methamphetamine Use

Drug use and mental health disorders are often linked together. Sometimes, a person with a mental health disorder may turn to drugs to self-medicate. Often, an addict can abuse drugs so much that they alter their brain chemistry and develop a mental illness.

Either way, to properly treat an addiction, co-occurring disorders have to be treated as well. This is to minimize the chances of a relapse.

Get Help Now

It can be hard to see someone you care about suffer the effects of meth use. You might get angry and be tempted to blame them. If they could just say no or find the strength in them to make a different choice, then everything would be okay. That’s not the way that addiction works. There’s almost always an underlying issue that pushes someone to become addicted in the first place.

You’ll probably feel completely powerless or hopeless at seeing someone you care about suffer the long-term effects of meth use. You’ll feel like you can do nothing except wait for the worst to happen.

But it’s not hopeless. The situation can change. Resilient Recovery will be there to help you change it. Contact us now, and we’ll help you help your loved one get through the hard times that methamphetamine addiction has caused.