The thing about substance use disorder is that it does not end with the addict. Their actions can have a profound impact on the people around them, especially on their loved ones.
Many people are struggling with addiction across the country, which means that even more people are struggling with having to watch a loved one continuously succumb to their cravings.
While a drug such as methamphetamine is not the most prevalent substance that people abuse, there are still plenty of people who use it, so it can still be a cause for concern.
So what about the people who are concerned about a person’s meth use? What are they supposed to do?
One thing that they can do is to seek professional help. At Luxe Recovery LA, we offer world-class treatment for substance use disorders and empower people to live their lives without using drugs.
An Overview of Meth
Methamphetamine, also known as meth or crystal meth, is a potent central nervous system stimulant that can be highly addictive. It can be ingested orally, snorted, smoked, or injected, with each method leading to rapid effects on the brain.
The drug increases the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. This leads to intense feelings of euphoria, heightened energy, and increased alertness.
However, these effects are short-lived and often followed by a ‘crash,’ leading users to seek more of the drug to experience the high again.
The United States Drug Enforcement Administration classifies methamphetamine as a Schedule II controlled substance, which means that it has some medical value but also a very high risk of misuse and addiction.
Legitimate Uses of Methamphetamines
Meth is very rarely prescribed to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and, in some cases, for short-term weight loss in individuals who are obese.
Historically, methamphetamine was used medicinally to address conditions such as narcolepsy and nasal congestion. However, its highly addictive nature and high potential for serious side effects caused its medical usage to decline steeply.
Effects of Meth Addiction
People who use meth put themselves at risk for a number of adverse physical and mental effects. One of the main risks that individuals who use meth take is that they risk contracting and transmitting diseases such as HIV and hepatitis.
This is because many people who have meth use disorder inject it and share needles, which can lead to the spread of these diseases.
Another effect that meth users put themselves at risk for is meth mouth. ‘Meth mouth’ refers to a series of dental health problems associated with methamphetamine use. These include tooth decay, gum disease, oral lesions, xerostomia (dry mouth), and tooth loss.
Another consequence of meth is ‘meth mites,’ which are not mites at all but a tactile illusion caused by drug use. Some meth users can feel bugs or mites crawling on or under their skin, leading to scratching. This can cause sores, infection, scarring, and wounds.
Long-term meth use can also cause cardiovascular problems, including hypertension, irregular heartbeat, and increased risk of stroke, and impair immune system function, which makes a person more vulnerable to various diseases.
Mentally, people who regularly use methamphetamine can face challenges such as anxiety, depression, paranoia, hallucinations, and psychosis as a result of their drug abuse. Long-term use can result in cognitive impairments, such as memory problems and reduced impulse control.
Regularly using meth over a long period of time can increase the likelihood of developing a tolerance. Once someone’s body becomes tolerant of meth, they will need to take more of it to achieve the desired high. However, this can increase the risk of a meth overdose.
Risk Factors for Meth Use
Meth is a highly addictive drug. That said, most people are not addicted to meth, nor will they ever try the drug. Even the ones that do are not all going to become meth addicts.
While no one is sure what the exact causes of meth addiction are, there are a number of risk factors that can make a person more likely to engage in substance abuse.
Some people are genetically predisposed to addiction. People with a family history of substance abuse may be more likely to abuse meth or other substances than the general population.
Environmental factors such as being around someone using meth often make someone more prone to using it themselves.
While meth can cause or exacerbate some mental illnesses, people who already have a mental health disorder start taking meth or other drugs in order to cope with their symptoms.
Some personality traits, such as sensation-seeking behavior, impulsivity, low self-esteem, and a tendency toward risk-taking, can also increase the risk of meth use.
Signs of Meth Use
It can sometimes be rather easy to spot a drug habit, especially when it comes to meth. Aside from visible signs such as meth mouth and meth mites, there are a number of physical changes that a person can go through as part of the effects of meth use.
One prominent symptom of meth abuse is rapid weight loss. It’s not uncommon for someone who uses meth to neglect their health and stop eating, either because they’re too busy taking meth or because they’re diverting their financial resources towards buying more meth.
The symptoms of meth addiction can also include changes in a person’s behavior. For example, many people who take meth can neglect personal hygiene.
They may also become more irritable and agitated. Their performance at work or school may also suffer.
Furthermore, people who use meth often withdraw from their social circles, either because they’re aware of their habit and are ashamed or because they’re prioritizing their chronic meth habit over socializing.
How To Help Someone Get Through Meth Abuse
Now, if you see the signs and symptoms of methamphetamine use in someone you know, there are a number of things that you can do in order to help them stop using meth. Some of these things include:
Learning About Meth Addiction
Many people who have never experienced addiction themselves can feel as if stopping is a simple matter of willpower. The reality of addiction is far more nuanced.
Many people who have a meth habit want to get sober, but their minds and bodies have become dependent on the substance.
Because of that, stopping is not a matter of saying ‘no’ to the drug. One of the dangers of meth is how hard it can be to stop using it. Learning about the reality of addiction will give you the information you need to approach an addict with empathy and not judgment.
Encouraging them To Seek Professional Meth Addiction Treatment
Another way that you can help someone who is addicted to meth is to encourage them to seek professional help. This can include researching support groups, therapists, and treatment centers in the area that can help with overcoming their addiction.
Talk to Professionals
On the same note as both of the above, you can also talk to a professional. This will help better educate you about the nature of addiction as well as how to best convince someone to receive treatment and how to support them through it.
In some cases, the professional can even help you talk to your loved one about their addiction.
Supporting Them Through the Symptoms of Meth Withdrawal
If your loved one does make the decision to get off of meth, then they may taper off their usage instead of stopping all at once. This can lead to them experiencing withdrawal symptoms such as cravings, depression, anxiety, emotional instability, and others.
Supporting your loved one through their meth withdrawal makes them less likely to fall back into their old habits to alleviate the discomfort that comes with stopping.
Set Boundaries
However, while you may want to help a loved one break their meth habit, you also have to set boundaries. Setting boundaries can serve two purposes.
The first is that boundaries can protect you. Remember that helping someone doesn’t mean neglecting yourself.
The purpose that a boundary serves is that it can protect your loved one. When it comes to addicts, family members may enable their addiction. This is often done with the best of intentions, but it can hinder the recovery process.
We’ll Help You Help Your Loved One
Having a loved one addicted to meth can be hard, particularly since meth is a dangerous drug that can come with various consequences. Some people may feel hopeless in the face of a loved one’s addiction.
But it’s not a hopeless situation, not at all. Many people are able to overcome their addictions, and the first part of their journey is a loved one caring enough to intervene on their behalf.
At Luxe Recovery LA, we can help your loved one with their habit. Contact us now, and we can begin helping you help them. We take most forms of insurance.
