While on meth, people are hyper, feel invincible and don’t sleep. As the dependence on meth starts, expect mood swings and apathy. Physical signs (like meth sores, meth mouth and extreme weight loss) signal meth addiction and long-term meth use. Finding meth is also a clear sign of meth use.
Page Topics
Faces of Meth | Meth Mouth | Meth Sores | Signs of Meth High & Withdrawal | Identifying Meth | Drug Testing Meth
Signs of Meth Addiction
Anyone that uses meth even though they want to stop or cut back is diagnosable as Methamphetamine Use Disorder (the official name for crystal meth addiction).
Before changes in physical appearance are obvious, you may notice:
- Mood swings
- Disinterest in hobbies / social isolation
- Irritability and anger
- Sores from scratching
- Twitching
- Weight loss
- Life consequences (jail time, loss of parental rights, job loss, theft, damaged family relationships, divorce)
Nearly half of meth users become meth dependent.
Faces of Meth
Many meth addicts look like executives or truck drivers. It’s not always the shocking “faces of meth” we see in the media.
That said, meth addiction is associated with disturbing physical consequences like:
- Pale skin, skin sores from scratching
- Sunken eyes
- Rotting Teeth
- Low body weight
- Facial Tics
- Brain damage
- Paranoia
- Problems with coordination and movement
Meth Mouth
Meth is notorious for causing tooth and gum decay and other dental problems, known as meth mouth or meth teeth.
There are three ways in which doing meth can damage your mouth and teeth:
- Bruxism – Like other stimulants, meth causes bruxism or the grinding of the teeth. When people use meth long-term, they tend to grind their teeth to the point where they become flattened.
- Dry Mouth – Meth also causes a lack of saliva or dry mouth. Saliva is important for dental health because it creates a buffer that prevents teeth from decaying. Meth dry mouth removes this buffer and puts teeth at a greater risk for decay.
- Neglect – People who are caught up in any addiction neglect their personal hygiene, sometimes going for days without brushing their teeth. Plaque buildup and food particles can cause cavities to form.
Meth Mites / Meth Sores
Meth mites are a term to describe the hallucination of crawling on the skin.
The crawling sensation causes meth users to pick or scratch at their skin, resulting in sores and lesions, usually on the face and arms. Meth face sores are one of the more shocking signs of meth use. These sores often become infected and can be dangerous if left untreated.
Meth Eyes
When using meth or other stimulants, the pupils dilate or become larger.
The pupils remain dilated while the individual is feeling the effects of the meth, but return to normal as the meth effects wear off.
Meth Psychosis
Another common side effect of meth use is psychosis. Meth psychosis is characterized by hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, and delusions.
According to the medical journal CNS Drugs, up to 40% of meth users experience symptoms of meth psychosis.
Most of the time meth psychosis is temporary and goes away after a person stops using. However, long-term psychological damage is possible, especially at high doses.
Signs Someone is On Meth
The signs someone is high on meth include:
- Hyperactivity
- Feelings of invisibility
- Rapid breathing
- Dilated pupils
- Excessive itching
- Reduced appetite
- Talking faster or more than usual (speech also may not make sense)
- Argumentative, aggressive or obsessive-compulsive behavior
(This is the opposite of the signs of heroin addiction. Opioids slow down the body, while meth puts the brain and the functions of the body in overdrive).
How long does a meth high last?
The “high” from meth lasts 4-14 hours – much longer than drugs like heroin or cocaine.
- The extra rush from smoking or injecting meth lasts the first 5-30 minutes of the high.
- Those addicted to meth often use more meth before the high wears off to stay up for days at a time. (These binges are called runs or tweaking).
Whether the high lasts 4 or 14 hours depends on the tolerance that has been built up, the meth purity, other drugs taken at the same time, the dosage of meth and how quickly a specific body metabolizes stimulants.
What are the signs of meth withdrawal?
Meth withdrawal symptoms kick in around 24 hours after the last dose and can last up to three weeks. Symptoms are most intense in the first week People typically start to feel better during week two.
The signs of meth withdrawal:
- Depression
- Tiredness
- Anxiety and Irritability
- Sleep problems (insomnia and hypersomnia)
- Increased appetite
- Meth cravings
People who have built up a significant tolerance to meth usually have more intense withdrawal symptoms. The risk of relapse is high during withdrawal. (See What is relapse?).
Identifying Meth
Finding hidden meth is a way to know for sure that someone is using it.
What does meth look like?
Most meth is sold in crystal or powdered form, where it is smoked, snorted or dissolved and injected.
- Crystal Meth – looks like clear or white shards of ice. These shards are often smoked in a pipe
- Meth Powder – White or light gray powder
Sometimes, dealers press powdered meth into pills. In pill form, meth can take on many different colors and shapes.
Blue Meth
People who make meth sometimes add coloring during the production process to tint their meth a certain color. Blue is a popular color because of the myth that pure meth has a blue tint.
The idea of blue meth being pure was popularized by the show Breaking Bad, but in reality, the purest crystal meth is completely clear.
Meth Pills
Meth pills are methamphetamine powder put inside pill capsules or pressed into a tablet. This makes the product easier to sell and more appealing to people who don’t snort, smoke or inject.
Methamphetamine and prescription Adderall have similar effects, so many manufacturers mix meth powder with fillers and press it into a counterfeit Adderall tablet. In recent years, law enforcement has confiscated counterfeit Adderall pills made with methamphetamine.
Meth that is made into counterfeit pills is especially dangerous because someone could easily think they are taking Adderall, but are actually taking methamphetamine.
What does meth smell like?
In its powder, pill, and crystal forms, meth is odorless.
But, you can smell meth when it is being cooked or when it is smoked. It has an ammonia-like odor, similar to many cleaning products. Most people describe it as a “chemical” smell.
Does meth show up on a drug test?
Yes, most standard five- and ten-panel drug tests include a test for methamphetamine use. You can also buy meth tests over-the-counter that only look for methamphetamine, and do not screen for any other drugs.
A standard dose of meth is detectable in urine for about 24 hours. However, meth stays detectable for 2-4 days after the last use if the individual uses it consistently at high doses, such as in the case of meth addiction.
How can I get help for meth?
If you are noticing signs of meth abuse, find a treatment center. By the time symptoms are noticeable to others, it’s past occasional use.
Rehabs (like JourneyPure’s meth rehab centers in Tennessee and meth addiction rehab center in Kentucky) treat meth addiction. Plus, these centers treat anything that might have contributed to the meth use in the first place – like social anxiety, depression or trauma.
Whether it’s with Journey Pure or not, please get help!
JourneyPure.com doctors follow rigorous sourcing guidelines and cite only trustworthy sources of information, including peer-reviewed journals, count records, academic organizations, highly regarded nonprofit organizations, government reports and their own expertise with decades in the fields and their own personal recovery.
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Dhingra, D., Kaur, S., & Ram, J. (2019). Illicit drugs: Effects on eye. The Indian journal of medical research, 150(3), 228–238. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijmr.IJMR_1210_17
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
Kish S. J. (2008). Pharmacologic mechanisms of crystal meth. CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association journal = journal de l’Association medicale canadienne, 178(13), 1679–1682. https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.071675
Logan, B. (n.d.). Downside of Methamphetamine. Washington State Toxicology Laboratory. Retrieved 7/10/21, from http://www.wsp.wa.gov/breathtest/docs/webdms/Tox_Studies_Articles/Downside%20of%20Methamphetamine.pdf
McGregor C, Srisurapanont M, Jittiwutikarn J, Laobhripatr S, Wongtan T, White JM. The nature, time course and severity of methamphetamine withdrawal. Addiction. 2005 Sep;100(9):1320-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2005.01160.x. PMID: 16128721.
NIDA. 2021, April 13. What are the immediate (short-term) effects of methamphetamine misuse?. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/methamphetamine/what-are-immediate-short-term-effects-methamphetamine-misuse on 2021, July 13
Richards JR, Laurin EG. Methamphetamine Toxicity. [Updated 2020 Nov 20]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430895/
Recognizing a Meth House / Structure. The Official State of Nevada Website. https://ag.nv.gov/Hot_Topics/Issue/Meth_House/
Recognizing a Meth Addict. The Official State of Nevada Website. https://ag.nv.gov/Hot_Topics/Issue/Meth_Addict/
Volkow, N. D., Chang, L., Wang, G. J., Fowler, J. S., Leonido-Yee, M., Franceschi, D., Sedler, M. J., Gatley, S. J., Hitzemann, R., Ding, Y. S., Logan, J., Wong, C., & Miller, E. N. (2001). Association of dopamine transporter reduction with psychomotor impairment in methamphetamine abusers. The American journal of psychiatry, 158(3), 377–382. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.158.3.377
Disclaimer
All content is for informational purposes only. No material on this site, whether from our doctors or the community, is a substitute for seeking personalized professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never disregard advice from a qualified healthcare professional or delay seeking advice because of something you read on this website.
Do you have more questions?
Leave a Reply
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Kolten says: Hey my mom is moving a million miles a minute and she is twitching and having mood swings and I’m only 13 she let her hole life fall apart I don’t have a house cuz she lost it and idk what to do
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StopNgo says:
Find help. Tell an adult you trust. Get help now. I’m sorry buddy. Prayers going up for you.
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Becky says:
Yes a friend that does it went from hardly showering to showering 5 to 6 times a day, for an hour each time & he’s pouring out all the conditioners down the drain and leaves the bottles on bathtub floor. Picks holes in walls. Accuses everyone of stealing and poisoning him. Just wondering if it could be something else or a mixture. Because he also takes opioids, Suboxone Xanax. Some people say he’s got psychosis.
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Jack says:
Move far ,away and never look back ,gods speed ; their is an angle watching over you !
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David says:
My sister is visiting my mom and is using meth almost constantly. She’s delusional and we don’t know what to do. If we ask her to leave, she’ll be homeless. Should we call the police to have her arrested?
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Dr. David Zoeller M.D. says: Hi David, I am so glad you reached out on behalf of your sister. I recommend trying to get her into treatment before kicking her out. If she is delusional and using constantly she should be in an inpatient program where she will get one-on-one care.
If she refuses treatment, you have every right to kick her out. While it’s emotionally difficult, it is dangerous for her and your mother if she continues using meth in the house. If she refuses to leave, you can call the police for help.
The key is to support her recovery, but not support her addiction. Be firm with boundaries and don’t back down!
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Carla says:
How would you smoke meth if you don’t find a glass pipe? Trying to figure something out about a relative
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Dr. David Zoeller M.D. says:
Hi Carla, thanks for your question! Meth can also be smoked on aluminum foil by placing it on the foil and heating the underside with a lighter. People often use a straw or hollowed-out pen to capture and inhale the smoke.
Aside from glass pipes, household objects can also be fashioned into meth pipes, like lightbulbs or metal pipe fittings.
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Lucus says:
I have a business partner that use it and what can I do to help him stop. The only problem is that he doesn’t want to stop cause he use it as a energy sources to help him work.
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Dr. David Zoeller M.D. says:
Hi Lucus, thanks so much for your question. It is common for people to start using methamphetamine because it provides an energy boost while they are working. The problem is the eventual crash, which causes severe anxiety and depression.
The best way to help someone struggling with addiction is to be supportive of their recovery without enabling their addiction to continue. I recommend holding an intervention, especially if you can team up with their close friends and family. Be sure to have a treatment center picked out so if he agrees to go, he can go right from the intervention.
Another helpful tip for interventions: stay focused on love and state the facts. It’s easy to get caught up in emotions but facing the truths of addiction helps people become more willing to get help.
We also have an intervention page with more information that is helpful for these types of situations. https://journeypure.com/ask-our-doctors/families/what-is-an-intervention/
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Rhonda says:
How can you tell for sure ssd’s omeone is smokkng meth. I think my step dad is . He has weird mood swings trys and lie on everyone. Tries and stay up half the night always tries and listens to everyone always sneaky. Any help or hints or advise is helpful. Thanks
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Kate says:
I used to teach AOD abuse/addiction at the college level. I’m simply getting basic information for my sister, whose daughter (my niece) we suspect is abusing meth. So thanks for providing this valuable info! I’ll print it out and give it to my sister, so she can seek help for her daughter.
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Dr. David Zoeller M.D. says:
Hi Kate! I am so happy to hear that you found the information helpful. If your sister has any questions, she can feel free to drop them in the comments and I will write back. Wishing you the best!
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Cklausing says:
This is about my son. He is 34. He was snorting heroin five years ago. He went to Isiah House for 10 months .
He is a poster child for a meth addict . He comes home and sleeps for three days at a time then heads back and we may not see him for a week . He says he is Door Dashing and he couch surfs with friends .
I need to test his urine. Where in Louisville can a get a test that shows only meth in the urine.
He was so handsome . Now when I look into his face he looks like a stranger .
Our hearts are broken . We want to save our son. He is such a sweet person with a good heart .-
Lauren says:
I’m sorry you are going through this with your son. He sounds a lot like my brother in law and my MIL is at a loss , we don’t know what to do with him. Having a loved one as an addict is so hard. My thoughts & prayers are with you!
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Dr. David Zoeller M.D. says:
Hi Cklausing. I am so sorry to hear about your son. Watching someone struggle with addiction is heartbreaking, especially when it’s your own child.
Urine drug tests that detect both meth and heroin are available at most major pharmacies like CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid. You can also find them in the pharmacy section of large retail chains, like Walmart or Target. Over-the-counter urine drug tests cover multiple drugs, and even the most basic tests will give you results for meth and heroin. You can test him for meth and heroin with the same test, and they cost around $30 to $40.
Another option is to have him take a urine test through a lab. The results are more reliable, but lab tests are more expensive ($50 to $100) and it takes a couple of days to get the results. Any Lab Test Now is a great option because you do not need a doctor’s order, and there are multiple locations in the Louisville area. Be sure to specify that you want to have the test sent out to the lab.
Keep in mind, methamphetamine is processed through the body quickly, so it is only detectable 1-2 days after the last use. Heroin is also processed quickly and is detectable for 3-5 days after the last use.
You’re doing the right thing by holding him accountable. I wish you nothing but the best!
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Alicia says:
When someone uses meth and really try to hide it… How can i know for sure cause i only see ocd behavior and sleepless nights?
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Dr. David Zoeller M.D. says:
Hi Starlette, thank you for commenting. Yes, one of the symptoms of meth abuse is known as meth psychosis, which can include hallucinations. Bugs are a common hallucination, so much so that it’s known as meth mites or meth bugs.
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Mary says:
I just see it all around me and friends that look allot older than there age. Sleep disorders and such. I pray for my daughter.
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Dr. David Zoeller M.D. says:
You are correct, Mary. Sleep disorders and advanced aging are telltale signs of meth abuse. I will keep your daughter in my thoughts and prayers as well!
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Tina says:
I’m not even trying to smoke nothing there done lost there minds I pray I’m just asking becouse it seems like the whole world is on something people that live around me and a few friends but can’t be around them
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Dr. David Zoeller M.D. says:
Hi Tina. Your decision to stay away from meth is a wise one. It’s hard to see people that you know and love continue to struggle with addiction. The good news is that by staying away from meth, you’re leading by example. Keep doing what you’re doing!
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Dr. David Zoeller M.D. 
When someone uses meth and really try to hide it… How can i know for sure cause i only see ocd behavior and sleepless nights?
I’m not even trying to smoke nothing there done lost there minds I pray I’m just asking becouse it seems like the whole world is on something people that live around me and a few friends but can’t be around them
Hi Tina. Your decision to stay away from meth is a wise one. It’s hard to see people that you know and love continue to struggle with addiction. The good news is that by staying away from meth, you’re leading by example. Keep doing what you’re doing!
How can you tell for sure ssd’s omeone is smokkng meth. I think my step dad is . He has weird mood swings trys and lie on everyone. Tries and stay up half the night always tries and listens to everyone always sneaky. Any help or hints or advise is helpful. Thanks
Hey my mom is moving a million miles a minute and she is twitching and having mood swings and I’m only 13 she let her hole life fall apart I don’t have a house cuz she lost it and idk what to do
Find help. Tell an adult you trust. Get help now. I’m sorry buddy. Prayers going up for you.
Yes a friend that does it went from hardly showering to showering 5 to 6 times a day, for an hour each time & he’s pouring out all the conditioners down the drain and leaves the bottles on bathtub floor. Picks holes in walls. Accuses everyone of stealing and poisoning him. Just wondering if it could be something else or a mixture. Because he also takes opioids, Suboxone Xanax. Some people say he’s got psychosis.
how do i let go off a meth user ?
Move far ,away and never look back ,gods speed ; their is an angle watching over you !
My sister is visiting my mom and is using meth almost constantly. She’s delusional and we don’t know what to do. If we ask her to leave, she’ll be homeless. Should we call the police to have her arrested?
Hi David, I am so glad you reached out on behalf of your sister. I recommend trying to get her into treatment before kicking her out. If she is delusional and using constantly she should be in an inpatient program where she will get one-on-one care.
If she refuses treatment, you have every right to kick her out. While it’s emotionally difficult, it is dangerous for her and your mother if she continues using meth in the house. If she refuses to leave, you can call the police for help.
The key is to support her recovery, but not support her addiction. Be firm with boundaries and don’t back down!
How would you smoke meth if you don’t find a glass pipe? Trying to figure something out about a relative
Hi Carla, thanks for your question! Meth can also be smoked on aluminum foil by placing it on the foil and heating the underside with a lighter. People often use a straw or hollowed-out pen to capture and inhale the smoke.
Aside from glass pipes, household objects can also be fashioned into meth pipes, like lightbulbs or metal pipe fittings.
I have a business partner that use it and what can I do to help him stop. The only problem is that he doesn’t want to stop cause he use it as a energy sources to help him work.
Hi Lucus, thanks so much for your question. It is common for people to start using methamphetamine because it provides an energy boost while they are working. The problem is the eventual crash, which causes severe anxiety and depression.
The best way to help someone struggling with addiction is to be supportive of their recovery without enabling their addiction to continue. I recommend holding an intervention, especially if you can team up with their close friends and family. Be sure to have a treatment center picked out so if he agrees to go, he can go right from the intervention.
Another helpful tip for interventions: stay focused on love and state the facts. It’s easy to get caught up in emotions but facing the truths of addiction helps people become more willing to get help.
We also have an intervention page with more information that is helpful for these types of situations. https://journeypure.com/ask-our-doctors/families/what-is-an-intervention/
How can I get my family back
Keep trying…never give up????????????
I used to teach AOD abuse/addiction at the college level. I’m simply getting basic information for my sister, whose daughter (my niece) we suspect is abusing meth. So thanks for providing this valuable info! I’ll print it out and give it to my sister, so she can seek help for her daughter.
Hi Kate! I am so happy to hear that you found the information helpful. If your sister has any questions, she can feel free to drop them in the comments and I will write back. Wishing you the best!
This is about my son. He is 34. He was snorting heroin five years ago. He went to Isiah House for 10 months .
He is a poster child for a meth addict . He comes home and sleeps for three days at a time then heads back and we may not see him for a week . He says he is Door Dashing and he couch surfs with friends .
I need to test his urine. Where in Louisville can a get a test that shows only meth in the urine.
He was so handsome . Now when I look into his face he looks like a stranger .
Our hearts are broken . We want to save our son. He is such a sweet person with a good heart .
I’m sorry you are going through this with your son. He sounds a lot like my brother in law and my MIL is at a loss , we don’t know what to do with him. Having a loved one as an addict is so hard. My thoughts & prayers are with you!
Hi Cklausing. I am so sorry to hear about your son. Watching someone struggle with addiction is heartbreaking, especially when it’s your own child.
Urine drug tests that detect both meth and heroin are available at most major pharmacies like CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid. You can also find them in the pharmacy section of large retail chains, like Walmart or Target. Over-the-counter urine drug tests cover multiple drugs, and even the most basic tests will give you results for meth and heroin. You can test him for meth and heroin with the same test, and they cost around $30 to $40.
Another option is to have him take a urine test through a lab. The results are more reliable, but lab tests are more expensive ($50 to $100) and it takes a couple of days to get the results. Any Lab Test Now is a great option because you do not need a doctor’s order, and there are multiple locations in the Louisville area. Be sure to specify that you want to have the test sent out to the lab.
Keep in mind, methamphetamine is processed through the body quickly, so it is only detectable 1-2 days after the last use. Heroin is also processed quickly and is detectable for 3-5 days after the last use.
You’re doing the right thing by holding him accountable. I wish you nothing but the best!
Does meth make you snakes and other bugs
Hi Starlette, thank you for commenting. Yes, one of the symptoms of meth abuse is known as meth psychosis, which can include hallucinations. Bugs are a common hallucination, so much so that it’s known as meth mites or meth bugs.
No just found out that my friend has
I just see it all around me and friends that look allot older than there age. Sleep disorders and such. I pray for my daughter.
You are correct, Mary. Sleep disorders and advanced aging are telltale signs of meth abuse. I will keep your daughter in my thoughts and prayers as well!
If not smoking or injecting meth, how do you take it? Snort it?