Meth Addiction Overview
Meth addiction is cause by Amphetamines which are stimulant drugs that are produced in the form of sulfate salt which is the crystalline powder that is meth. Once in salt form meth is inhaled.
“Meth is considered to to be a stimulant but when taken in high doses can make people hallucinate.”
Meth is highly addictive. Approximately 14 million Americans have used meth in their lifetime. When meth is abused users feel an elevation in mood similar to that of cocaine and have a strong attention to detail. It will reduce ones appetite and cause an increased heart rate.
Meth Effects
Meth addicts will experience heavy mood swings and often brain damage. If you or a loved one are using meth consistently you are addicted and should look to inpatient rehab to help recover from a meth addiction.
Meth users see an increase in neural activity in the brain from the stimulation of receptors. The neural systems that respond to amphetamine are widespread throughout the brain, and their stimulation produces euphoria and alertness while suppressing appetite and fatigue.
Short term effects include:
- Mood elevation with increased alertness
- Self confidence
- Attention to detail
- Dry mouth
- Sweating
- Insomnia
- Reduced appetite
Long term effects include:
- Extreme fatigue
- Weight loss
- Malnutrition
- Ulcers
- Depression
- Brain damage
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Meth Addiction Statistics
Meth is prevalent in low income areas and produced at home with chemicals purchased from a local hardware store. This makes it easy and cheap for people to buy. It is extremely addictive and causes a quick high that will fade unless the user continues to smoke regularly.
- 1 million Americans used meth last year
- Relative to other drugs a significant portion of users make the drug themselves
- Meth was the 4th leading drug related cause of emergency room visits in 2016
- There are 450,000 habitual meth users
- 1 in every 5 meth lab suffers an explosion
Meth Addiction Symptoms
Meth addiction symptoms should be easy for loved ones and families to spot as addiction to the drug will cause severe changes in personality and physical appearance. Be aware of their sleeping patterns and the social circles they frequent.
Habitual users will have spells of reclusion, prolonged irregular sleep, and depression between amphetamine- fueled runs of several days without sleep.
Additional signs of meth addiction are:
- Talkative, persistent and hyperactive
- Paranoia
- Overly aggressive and self-confident
- Relusion
- Several consecutive days of no sleep
Meth Addiction Withdrawal Symptoms
Meth withdrawal symptoms vary depending on the patient. Every addict has different levels of addiction and reactions to withdrawal. Symptoms start 24 hours after the last hit of meth. The meth addict will feel a strong urge and need to use meth again. When they don’t, they will feel exhaustion and depression.
Some additional symptoms of meth withdrawal are:
- Chest pain
- Nausea
- Shaking/tremors.
Meth addicts often require inpatient care because of the severity of the symptoms. Having a substance abuse professional at a rehab facility to help mitigate the symptoms is highly recommended.