Methamphetamine is an illicit drug that is commonly referred to simply as meth on the street and TV. Meth is an extremely addictive stimulant that affects the human central nervous system. The effects of meth addiction are severe, noticeable, and dangerous, and without a meth addiction treatment program, potentially deadly. If you or someone you care about is struggling with meth use, contact New Start Recovery immediately, online, or by calling us at [Direct] to learn how our substance abuse treatment program can help.
Effects of Meth Addiction on the Body
Meth use takes a psychological toll on a person, with severe physical signs of meth use that can be seen on the skin and face of those who are using this dangerous drug. Meth affects both the brain and the body, and signs of meth use are visible in various ways. If you observe any of these effects of meth addiction in yourself, a family member, or a friend, know that there is meth addiction treatment available from New Start Recovery.
Before you may see the outward effects of meth addiction, one of the first signs of meth use to keep an eye out for is the sudden loss of interest in the things that were once important, including:
- Hobbies
- Passions
- Relationships
- Work and career
Even before the physical signs of meth use on the body, these aspects of a normal, healthy life will begin to take a back seat to obtain and using meth. And as acquiring and taking meth begins to dominate the person’s life, they will likely attempt to hide their meth use. However, the longer they use the drug, the more obvious it becomes that meth is now running and ruining their lives. Because meth chemically changes how you think and feel daily, using meth even recreationally can transform into a significant life priority swiftly and dangerously.
Whether you just started using meth or have already developed a meth addiction, you may be exhibiting various behavioral and physical signs of meth use and could benefit from substance abuse treatment right now. Some of the most common effects of meth addiction on the body that you can observe rather easily include:
- Hyperactivity
- Twitching
- Skin sores
- Rotting teeth
- Facial tics
- Abrupt body movement
- Dilated pupils
- Rapid eye movement
- Sudden and dramatic weight loss
- A complete loss of appetite
- Burns on the lips and/or fingers
- Erratic sleep
Other Effects of Meth Addiction
As dramatic as those signs of meth use may seem, there are even more traumatic effects of meth addiction that you need to look out for if you fear that a child or other loved one is using meth, and reach out to New Start Recovery to learn how our meth addiction treatment program can help before it is too late.
Tweaking
At the end of a meth binge, when someone can no longer achieve a rush or high, is when you may see tweaking occur. Tweaking causes extreme anxiety and insomnia over a period of 3 to 15 days. There are psychological effects of tweaking, too, including:
- Irritability
- Confusion
- Hallucination
- Paranoia
- Desperation
- Violent actions
Crashing
During a crash from meth use, the user’s body is deprived of the dopamine provided by the drug. When this happens, you will observe extreme exhaustion overtake the user. This can last from 1 to 3 days, and while crashing, the meth user will sleep for long stretches, experience intense craving for more meth, and be depressed.
The Risks of Meth Use
The severity of risks and the danger of addiction are well known, and yet many people continue to experiment with and use meth. The euphoria the comes from the drug comes at a serious cost because the bulk of the meth remains unchanged in the body and stays present in the brain even longer, meaning that in addition to the physical effects of meth addiction, the drug is highly toxic to nerve terminals in the brain.
Meth will ultimately destroy the brain cell synapses where dopamine is released. This will bring on mood disturbances, and you will quickly become dependent on the drug, requiring professional eth addiction treatment to fight this battle and reach the point of sobriety once again.
The physical signs of meth use can be obvious for all to see, but the effects of meth addiction inside the body maybe even worse. Prolonged use of meth alters your brain chemistry, destroying the wiring in the brain’s pleasure center. Over time, you will be unable to enjoy any pleasure without the use of meth. Additionally, chronic meth use will damage your body, bodily systems, and the blood vessels in the brain. These changes are irreversible and may result in a stroke. The effects of meth addiction are more dangerous and long-lasting than nearly any other substance. It is essential that you reach out for professional help in the form of a meth addiction treatment program immediately. Care, compassion, and treatment are available, and you deserve a chance to live a happy, sober life once again.
Learn More at New Start Recovery
If you or someone you love is struggling with meth use, substance abuse treatment can help. Contact New Start Recovery using our secure online form or call us at [Direct] today when you are ready to start down the path toward sobriety.