The Truth About Meth Addiction
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Glasner-Edwards, S., & Mooney, L. J. (2014). Methamphetamine psychosis: epidemiology and management. CNS drugs, 28(12), 1115–1126. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40263-014-0209-8
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Jan, R. K., Kydd, R. R., & Russell, B. R. (2012). Functional and structural brain changes associated with methamphetamine abuse. Brain sciences, 2(4), 434–482. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci2040434
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NIDA. 2021, April 13. What are the long-term effects of methamphetamine misuse?. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/methamphetamine/what-are-long-term-effects-methamphetamine-misuse on 2021, August 26
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NIDA. 2021, July 16. What is the scope of methamphetamine misuse in the United States?. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/methamphetamine/what-scope-methamphetamine-misuse-in-united-states on 2021, August 26
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Strategies to Support Parents with Methamphetamine Use Disorder and their Families. SAMHSA; National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare. Retrieved 8/25/21, from https://ncsacw.samhsa.gov/files/meth-tip-sheet-parent.pdf
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What is Meth Addiction?
Meth addiction is considered a chronic brain disease.
- Chronic – because there is risk of relapse after treatment.
- Brain – because meth addiction reduces brain activity in areas that regulate bad decisions and increases brain activity in areas that form habits.
- Disease – because brain tissues are impacted in a negative, which is the definition of a disease.
(See is addiction a disease or a choice article).
Normal activity in the stritum, an area important for memory & movement
Meth misuse greatly reduces activities in this area of the brain
With long-term sobriety, brain activity in this area can be restored
Meth addiction isn’t about how much or how often someone uses meth.
With meth periods of non-use are common following binges which can last for days. The latest DSM-5 criteria diagnoses meth addiction when patients use meth despite causing harm in their life like lack of job, family conflict or even legal issues.
- Nearly half of meth users are addicted.Fact Check
What is meth addiction like?
Meth abuse gives intense highs followed by extremely low depression. Thinking about using meth, using meth and crashing becomes your life in meth addiction.
As soon as the initial rush of energy and invisibility wears off, feelings of irritability and anxiety creep in.
Daily life feels like a rollercoaster that you cannot get off.
Things that were once enjoyable are no longer rewarding because of brain chemistry changes.
Meth Addict Behavior
- Meth Psychosis: When under the influence of meth, most people lose touch with reality. Meth addicts are often paranoid, feeling like someone is out to get them. Many people experience visual and tactile hallucinations, such as bugs crawling on their skin.
- Meth Run: It’s common for people on meth binges to stay up for days at a time taking meth, followed by a dramatic crash.
Meth Addiction Symptoms
The most common symptom is depression, followed by fatigue, sleep problems and anxiety. Relapse is common when these symptoms aren’t addressed, so quitting cold-turkey is unlikely.
Meth Use Symptoms
- Increased alertness
- Excessive talking
- Decreased appetite
- Mood swings
- Increased heart rate
- Sleep issues
Meth Addiction Symptoms
- Rotting Teeth
- Anxiety / Paranoia
- Facial Tics
- Depression
- Brain damage
- Problems with coordination and movement
- Loneliness and isolation
- Job loss and financial trouble
- Legal issues
Meth addiction can cause obvious changes to appearance quickly
Meth addiction also happens without physical signs like scabs
(See more Meth Before & After pictures)
How Addictive is Meth?
Meth is highly addictive, especially when snorted, smoked or injected. Almost half of meth users are addicted. The only other drug with a higher percentage of users addicted is heroin.
Why is meth so addictive?
When people first experience the energy that comes from meth, they usually want more. Wanting more and more of a drug is part of addiction.
Meth feels helpful at first
Unlike opioids or alcohol that slow down the body, meth stimulates energy. Early meth users may feel “productive” and happy. Plus, meth lasts longer than other stimulants like cocaine. Truck drivers, executives and students use meth to stay up long hours. People justify using more meth for these effects. The more you use any drug, the more likely addiction sets in.
Meth is available (and cheap)
Because meth is made out of household items like cold medicine, gasoline and ammonia, it’s produced by local home labs and drug cartels. A single hit of pure meth can cost just $5. Many people already addicted to drugs like cocaine switch to meth.
- 5.4% of Americans have tried meth.Fact Check
Meth changes the brain
Meth causes structural changes to the striatum, a part of the brain that is responsible for decision-making, particularly used for regulating bad decisions. Users can’t “just stop.” Meth also over-stimulates the brain, so without it life feels underwhelming.
Common Meth Co-Addictions
Meth can come mixed with other drugs or be deliberately taken with other drugs to enhance the high or counteract a negative effect of meth use.
Drug | Usage | Consequences |
---|---|---|
Xanax | To help anxiety caused by meth use | Leads to heart issues like arrhythmias or even heart failure |
Alcohol | To be social or increase the high | Leads to high blood pressure, increased psychosis, chronic liver damage, cancer and sudden death |
Opioids (Heroin, Morphine, etc.) | To get a greater high when used at the same time (known as speedball) or to be able to sleep after the meth high | Risk of overdose or drug-related injury is very high, increased risk of stroke or heart issues including heart failure |
Meth Addiction Treatment
Unlike alcohol and heroin, there are no medications approved to help meth addiction and usually limited physical withdrawal symptoms.
Treatment for meth addiction involves behavioral therapies that challenge destructive thoughts and behavior patterns. (It’s not as boring as it sounds, I promise).
The Top Meth Treatment Centers in the U.S.
(Both locations are in-network with health insurance companies, which means any cost to you is a low as possible).
Rutherford County Meth Rehab
- CARF Gold Seal – Earned by the top 20% of rehabs in the world
- A+ BBB Rating – The highest rating from the U.S. Better Business Bureau
- 16 Published Journals – Innovative research on the cutting-edge of addiction medicine.
Kentucky Meth Rehab
- CARF Gold Seal – Earned by the top 20% of rehabs in the world
- A+ BBB Rating – The highest rating from the U.S. Better Business Bureau
- 500+ News Articles – Experts here are referenced by The New Your Times, Newsweek and write for WebMD.
Florida Alcohol & Drug Rehab
Access the best treatment program in the country overlooking the ocean.
The Top 5 Meth Addiction Articles
- What are the signs that someone is using crystal meth?
- Is Adderall meth?
- Meth and alcohol addicted. With mental problems cant quit on my own without getting sick so i go back to using why cant i quit on my own
- Why do i have to go to treatment for meth
- How I look on about getting help meth and pain pills
Meth Forum
Follow New Meth Addiction Questions
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What are the signs that someone is using crystal meth?
When you picture meth addiction, you probably think of the late-stage symptoms like rotten teeth skin lesions, and extreme weight… -
Is Adderall meth?
While the two share some similarities, Adderall is not meth. Most people with ADHD benefit from mild stimulants like Adderall… -
Meth and alcohol addicted. With mental problems cant quit on my own without getting sick so i go back to using why cant i quit on my own
Quitting methamphetamine can be extremely challenging, and many people find it difficult to do so without support. There are several… -
Why do i have to go to treatment for meth
Thank you for reaching out and sharing your question about the importance of going to rehab for meth addiction. I… -
How I look on about getting help meth and pain pills
Combining methamphetamine (meth) and pain medication can be extremely dangerous and potentially life-threatening for several reasons: Increased risk of overdose… -
Why Do I Have Meth Sores?
What Causes Sores from Crystal Meth Use? If you’re using crystal meth and are noticing strange sores or ulcers on…
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