Amphetamine is a medication that is used to help people who suffer from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. While amphetamine is generally fine under medical supervision, another substance is chemically similar to amphetamine but is associated with illicit drug use, and that substance is methamphetamine.
Methamphetamine addiction can have a significant impact on a person’s life. However, it is a condition that can be overcome through proper treatment and support.
Luxe Recovery is a luxurious treatment center in one of Los Angeles’ most prestigious neighborhoods. In our facility, we offer world-class amenities and even better treatment to help support our patients through their recovery journeys from substance use disorder, process addictions, and co-occurring mental health disorders.
What Is Meth?
Meth is a highly addictive stimulant drug that primarily affects the central nervous system. It can come in several forms, such as a white powder or a crystalline substance known as crystal meth. Meth can be taken in many ways, including smoking, snorting, injecting, or oral ingestion.
Meth is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration. This means that it has a valid medical use but also comes with a high risk of abuse and addiction.
Indeed, meth abuse is a major public health concern that affects many people across the country.
How Prevalent is Meth Addiction?
According to the 2021 Survey on Drug Use and Health, 0.9% of people over the age of 12 used meth during the year. That represents approximately 2.5 million people. While not all of the people who have used the drug will become addicted to meth, a significant portion of them will.
Signs and Symptoms of Meth Addiction
People who abuse meth can display many psychological and physical symptoms. This is because being addicted to methamphetamine can have some effects on the mind and body.
Physical Signs of Meth Addiction
Methamphetamine abuse can decrease a person’s appetite, so many chronic meth users can lose a significant amount of weight. Another symptom of meth use is dilated pupils, which can make a person more sensitive to light. They may also twitch and sweat excessively.
Meth Mouth
A significant physical effect of methamphetamine use is what is called meth mouth. This refers to a series of oral and dental problems as a direct result of meth use. Meth can decrease saliva production, and saliva is crucial for neutralizing acids. Not having this protection can increase the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
People who use meth often grind their teeth, which can wear them down, damage their protective enamel, which isn’t something that can be restored, and increase tooth sensitivity.
Meth is also an acidic substance, and direct contact with the teeth can cause many of the negative effects outlined above.
Meth Mites
Another significant physical effect of meth use is a phenomenon known as ‘meth mites.’
Meth use can cause illusions, and one of those illusions can be the sensation of insects crawling on or under the skin. This can lead to excessive scratching, resulting in sores and scabs.
Psychological Symptoms of Methamphetamine Use
Meth can also cause psychological effects. These can include paranoia, anxiety, increased aggression, and confusion. As mentioned before, it can also cause hallucinations. In severe cases, a long-term effect of meth can be that it alters a user’s brain chemistry and structure enough that they can develop psychosis.
Causes and Risk Factors for Meth Addiction
Many factors can increase the risk of meth use. Addiction is a condition that can be passed genetically, so a person who has a family history of addiction is at a higher risk for substance use disorders.
The potency of meth also shouldn’t be ignored. Meth can increase the levels of dopamine in the brain, creating a sense of euphoria. Many users can find themselves craving this high, leading to methamphetamine abuse and addiction.
Meth can also alter the brain’s chemical structure, which can lead to further substance abuse and dependence.
A person’s mental health can also put them at risk for meth use. It’s not uncommon for people to use illicit substances like meth to cope with mental health disorders, stress, and trauma.
Effects of Meth Addiction
Methamphetamine addiction can lead to some effects. One of these effects is tolerance, which is when a person’s body becomes acclimated to the drug and can handle it better. This tolerance can dull meth’s effects, which can compel users to take more of the drug to get their desired high. This can increase the risk of meth overdose.
Many can also withdraw socially as meth use becomes their highest priority. This can leave them socially isolated.
Another effect of meth is that they may become dependent on the drug. This can make it so that they may suffer withdrawal symptoms if they ever stop using the drug.
Meth Addiction Treatment
Methamphetamine addiction is a treatable condition. Some of the ways it can be treated include:
Detox
Detox is the process by which a person eliminates all traces of meth from their body. This is a vital step in the recovery process as it prepares a person for the next stages of treatment. However, it can cause several withdrawal symptoms.
Meth Withdrawal Symptoms
The symptoms of meth withdrawal can include intense cravings, fatigue, depression, anxiety, agitation, and disturbed sleep. Users may also have vivid dreams, cognitive impairments, and psychomotor retardation. These symptoms generally peak a week after the last use of meth and improve over the succeeding weeks.
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient treatment is when a person checks into a specialized treatment center. While in the center, they will receive intensive care for their disorders as well as continuous support. Inpatient treatment is recommended for individuals with moderate to severe addiction as it provides a safe and secure environment while undergoing treatment.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient rehab allows a person to integrate their treatment into their normal lives. In an outpatient program, people in recovery attend multiple therapy sessions per week. Outpatient programs are recommended for those with mild to moderate addiction disorders who can continue with their daily activities while receiving treatment.
Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can help patients identify and change the thought patterns that contribute to drug use. By changing these thought patterns, a person can then change their behavior.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) can help patients manage their emotions, be more mindful of the present moment, tolerate distress, and navigate their interpersonal relationships. These skills can all contribute to a person’s recovery from addiction and their overall wellness.
Social Support
Having a strong support network is essential to helping people stop using meth. Many treatment plans integrate family programs to help loved ones learn about meth addiction and better aid in a person’s recovery.
Support groups can also be essential to helping a person stop taking meth. Not only can they offer a source of support from people who have had similar struggles, but they can also offer learning opportunities as some group members may be further along in their recovery than others.
Come to Us For Treatment for Meth Addiction
Being addicted to meth can be debilitating, and it can affect more than just a person. The consequences of long-term meth use include the effects it has on the people around the user. It can tear families apart and warp a person so much that not only do they become unrecognizable to the people around them, they may not even be able to recognize themselves.
But while a meth addiction can have profound consequences, it is a treatable condition. People can reclaim their physical and mental health with the right treatment and support. They can repair their relationships with their loved ones.
At Luxe Recovery, we help people develop the tools they need to manage substance use disorders and live healthy, sober lives. If you’re concerned about your own or a loved one’s meth use, then contact us now, and we can help you discover your path to recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Common Is Meth Use?
Worldwide, meth is one of the most commonly used illicit drugs. As of 2021, 2.5 million people have used meth at least once in the US. It is prevalent mainly in the US and Canada, followed by Asia, and is increasing in Europe, Australia and Latin America.
Why Does Meth Cause Itchy Skin?
Meth doesn’t directly cause skin to get itchy. It can make a person sweat, making some feel itchy. It can also cause meth mites, which can lead to excessive scratching. The skin can become damaged by constant scratching, which may cause infection.
How Do People Use Meth?
How people administer meth depends on their preferred way of use and how quickly the effects begin to take place. The most common way it is consumed is by injecting it, snorting it, smoking it, or ingesting it orally.
What does Meth do to the Brain?
Meth is neurotoxic, which means that it can damage neurons. Over time, this damage can affect a person’s memory, emotions, and reward systems.
