Meth Symptoms And Warning Signs: Signs of Meth Use

Research looking at the effects of methamphetamine focus primarily on the effects that occur in the brain; however, some of these effects can also be expected to generalize to neurons located in the spinal cord. The nerves located in the CNS are referred to as neurons, whereas the nerves outside the CNS are simply referred to as nerves. There are some tell-tale signs of meth addiction that you may be able to spot right away or which may become more prevalent as time goes on. One of the largest and fastest growing epidemics in the nation that is crippling Americans at an alarmingly Sobriety fast rate is crystal meth addiction.

• To treat tooth decay or gum disease caused by meth use, it is important to visit a dentist as soon as possible.
• But you may not think clearly when you’re high or make the same decisions as when you’re sober.
• In terms of treatment admissions, methamphetamine use among heroin hospital admissions increased from one in 50 in 2008 to one in 8 in 2017.

The 4 Steps to Meth Addiction

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. Another telling symptom of meth use is “tweaking” – a period of anxiety and insomnia that can last for 3 to 15 days. Tweaking occurs at the end of a drug binge when a person using meth can’t achieve a rush or high any longer. Tweaking can cause psychological side effects, such as paranoia, irritability, and confusion due to the desperation to use again. Tweaking from meth can also cause people to experience hallucinations and become prone to violent behavior.

Symptoms And Warning Signs Of Meth Abuse

A study by Gan et al., published in Frontiers in Psychiatry (2018), reports that a higher dose and prolonged use of meth addiction methamphetamine significantly raise the likelihood of dependency​. Long-term meth use can damage blood vessels in the brain, and cause stroke and other fatal events such as heart attacks. Meth has also been shown to decrease gray brain matter, which increases the risk for memory problems and Alzheimer’s disease later in life.

• Methamphetamines are not metabolized out of the system quickly, so they remain in the brain longer, leading to intense and prolonged stimulant effects.
• This cycling or “run” can span from many hours to many days, and it may result in the person not eating or sleeping for an extended period.
• If you or someone you love is struggling with meth addiction, there is effective treatment that can help you reclaim your life and find hope and healing.
• Those in recovery can also improve oral health by avoiding sugary products such as soda or candy.
• This can lead to a repetitive cycle of use, in which you use more methamphetamine more often.

What Are the Signs Someone Is Using Meth?

• Those who cook meth at home may even have burn marks on their arms, face, and exposed parts of skin that may have come into contact with chemicals during the cooking process.
• Some of these effects will naturally subside on their own within a few hours while others could take days or more to go away even after the last dose of crystal meth was administered.
• Meth users have difficulty sleeping, and may lash out in aggression.
• If someone you love is abusing meth, and cannot or will not stop on their own, it may be time to seek professional help.

Harm can also be caused by contaminants and by-products of the manufacturing process. Addiction can harm your physical and mental health, as well as leading to losing your job, savings, home and relationships. You also risk overdose from a strong batch or large dose of methamphetamine, which can be fatal. Effective treatment is available to help you reclaim your life and find lasting recovery.

Risk of Meth Overdose

That means more than half of people who use meth go on to misuse the drug. Some of the negative effects of meth use, including hallucinations or movement issues, may go away in the weeks or months after you stop using the drug. But some changes may take years or longer to resolve or never get better. Professionals use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to determine if someone has a stimulant or methamphetamine https://ecosoberhouse.com/ use disorder.

• Methamphetamine is a man-made stimulant that’s been around for a long time.
• A person addicted to meth will experience a wide range of withdrawal symptoms upon quitting meth abruptly, or reducing use.
• Long-term meth users who become addicted to this drug are unable to see beyond getting their next fix.
• A crash can last anywhere from 1 to 3 days and is characterized by long periods of sleep, intense drug cravings, and depression.
• Meth use is widespread and devastates users, their loved ones, and society in general.