It’s been called the most dangerous drug on earth—and it’s not hard to understand why. Meth is fairly easy to make, and incredibly cheap. It also happens to be staggeringly addictive, creating a false sense of happiness and peace that is increasingly difficult to replicate without increasingly high doses of meth. Meanwhile, the health effects of meth addiction can be truly debilitating, even deadly.
If someone you know is struggling with meth addiction, it is important that you help them through the process of recovery. That means offering them your compassion and support even as you urge them to check into a clinical detox facility, like New Start Recovery, and then pursue a meth addiction recovery treatment program. It also means ensuring that you know all the warning signs of meth addiction.
Signs and Symptoms of Meth Addiction
The first thing to be aware of is the health side effects associated with meth abuse. Those who are addicted to meth are at high risk for a number of emotional symptoms—mood disorders that may include depression, high anxiety, euphoria and mood swings.
Addiction to meth can also be attended by physical symptoms. Just a few of these possible symptoms include insomnia, hypersomnia, decreased appetite cardiac arrhythmia, hypertension and hyperthermia.
Psychological symptoms are usually present, too—and may include restlessness, irritability, aggression, confusion and even hallucinations.
Behavioral symptoms are also common. Some of these warning signs of meth addiction include:
Depression
High Anxiety
Euphoria
Mood Swings
Cardiac Arrhythmia
Aggression
- Lying or being extremely secretive in order to hide drug abuse
- Continuing to use meth despite adverse consequences
- Engaging in risky behaviors, either due to drug use or in order to obtain drugs
- Engaging in risky sexual behaviors
- Withdrawing from activities that once gave great pleasure
- Withdrawing from personal relationships
- Declining in personal appearance and hygiene
- Borrowing or even stealing money from loved ones
Meth Withdrawal Symptoms
The biggest problem that meth abusers face is an addiction that deepens over time. Initially, meth will provide an intense feeling of well-being. That feeling becomes elusive, though, and recapturing it requires the meth user to take higher doses of more powerful meth. The alternative is to face a deep, potentially bottomless depression.
Ultimately, recovery is possible through meth detox and individualized treatment programs—a process that can bring about its own challenges. Meth withdrawal symptoms can be powerful, and may include any of the following:
Intense cravings for meth
Shakes and tremors
Sleep disturbances
Fever and chills
Nausea
Hypertension
Heart palpitations
Seizures
In some cases of meth withdrawal, the end result can be a coma or even death.
How to Help Someone with Meth Addiction
Nobody who is addicted to meth is hopeless. Recovery is possible—though it is seldom attainable alone. Those who struggle with meth addiction desperately need compassion, friendship and support.
The first step is to simply let them know that you are concerned. Avoid being judgmental or pushy, but simply let your friend or loved one know that you love them and are concerned about their health.
Also encourage your loved one to seek professional help—ultimately through a meth addiction recovery program, but first through detox.
Detox for Meth Addiction
Detox really is the important first step to a lifetime of recovery, necessary for ridding the body of harmful and addictive toxins. Detox provides a clean slate, and a clinical rehab program builds on that.
Clinical detox is imperative, though. The withdrawal effects of meth addiction are so powerful that a “home” detox can be exceedingly dangerous. Avoid this risk, and instead inquire about our approach to meth detox at New Start.