Sessi Kuwabara Blanchard is an independent drug journalist and transgender critic. She was formerly a staff writer at Filter, one of the only online journalistic publications dedicated to covering harm reduction. By the 1950s, amphetamine, marketed as Benzedrine, was widely used to treat asthma, hayfever and colds. During the Vietnam War, amphetamine, nicknamed “pep pills,” was issued to American soldiers to “increase alertness” during lengthy jungle expeditions. Once the drug wore off, many soldiers reported feeling anxious, angry and aggressive.
- Methamphetamine is a potent stimulant that affects the central nervous system, causing the release of large amounts of dopamine, a neurotransmitter involved in pleasure, movement, and motivation.
- Because it’s used to make meth, the federal government closely regulates products with pseudoephedrine.
- However, recognizing the signs early and seeking professional help can prevent further damage and lead to recovery.
- The treatment methods for crystal meth addiction are detoxification, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), medications, long-term rehab programs, motivational rewards, and support groups.
- Additionally, when someone stops using meth, their brain and body may experience meth withdrawal, which can worsen their PTSD symptoms.
Physical Indicators
- If snorting the drug in crystal meth form, the high will come on in three to five minutes; if swallowing methamphetamine, it can take 15 to 20 minutes.
- Not only is withdrawal unpleasant, but the symptoms can be dangerous to a person’s health.
- Studies also show that the detox process alone is not enough to help people be successful in recovery.
- Research has shown that methamphetamine withdrawal follows a predictable pattern.
Crystal meth can not only provide the high the addict is looking for, it also costs less and lasts longer. Coming down can cause difficult emotional and physical symptoms, such as depression and insomnia. As a result, meth addiction often follows a pattern of bingeing on the drug for several days at a time, followed by a crash. Inpatient programs are typically the most expensive, costing anywhere from $5,000 to $80,000.
Side Effects of Meth Addiction: Acute and Chronic Consequences Explained
Meth-related psychosis can cause hallucinations, delusions and paranoia, according to a 2014 article published in the journal CNS Drugs. Some people who hallucinate after using meth believe they have bugs under their skin. These hallucinations are sometimes called meth bugs, crank bugs or meth mites. Struggling with meth addiction can be incredibly challenging, but it’s important to know that recovery is possible with the right support and treatment. Socially, meth addiction leads to isolation as relationships with family and friends deteriorate, leaving individuals feeling alone and unsupported.
What Are The Meth Withdrawal Symptoms?
- The side effects of meth can differ depending on the method of use.
- If these signs are present, it’s essential to seek professional help immediately.
- When diagnosing an SUD, a doctor may physically examine someone and discuss their medical history with them.
- This is reflected in current number of methamphetamine addicts in United States, which are estimated to be approximately 1.4 million individuals.
- Meth addiction can lead to loss of motor control and cause twitching, spasms, and poor coordination.
Withdrawal can make you feel so bad that you can’t stop using meth. If you have serious psychological symptoms, you may hurt yourself or someone else. Medical detox can help you manage your meth addiction withdrawal symptoms comfortably and in a safe place, lessening your chances of relapse. Meth is often made with multiple toxic chemicals that put undue stress on a person’s organs.
What are the Risks of Meth Addiction?
According to a 2015 study published in BMJ Open, adolescents who combine meth and marijuana experience more widespread problems related to memory, planning and reasoning than youth who abuse meth alone. That’s why we offer compassionate, evidence-based care designed to meet the unique needs of each person. These severe impacts highlight the urgent need for effective, long-term treatment strategies to help those affected reclaim their lives.