Signs That Your Meth Use Requires Drug Rehab

Meth, which is short for methamphetamine, according to the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), is a stimulant that speeds up the body system. It may be typically used as a pill or a powder, but names for it vary. It can be referred to as meth, speed, or crystal, but the list of street name accredited to methamphetamines is relatively long. 

The DEA says that crystal meth “resembles glass fragments and is an illegally altered version of the prescription drug that is cooked with over-the-counter drugs in meth labs.” This highly addictive substance causes irreversible damage to your health. Many signs of meth use may indicate the need for drug rehab. Understanding those signs and accepting your addiction is essential for seeking treatment and living a life free of active addiction.

Meth addiction has several distinct signs and is best addressed in rehab.

How Methamphetamines Affect the Mind

There are a few ways to use meth. All meth use has many effects on the mind. The DEA’s drug fact sheet on methamphetamines describes meth as a highly addictive substance with “potent central nervous system (CNS) stimulant properties.” When smoked or injected, you experience a quick rush, but when induced orally or snorted, the effects typically last longer. Regardless of how long the high lasts, meth works by releasing increased levels of dopamine, specifically into the “areas of the brain that regulate feelings of pleasure,” according to the DEA.

Excessive meth use leads to many different feelings or behaviors. It is common to experience violent behaviors and anxiety. Meth can also showcase many psychotic symptoms. Possible experiences include paranoia, hallucinations, or delusions. While dangerous in themselves, these effects also lead you to make decisions you normally would not, putting yourself and others at risk. 

In addition to these effects indicated by the DEA, research has also indicated that excessive meth use can damage almost half of the “dopamine-producing cells in the brain.”

The Physical Effects of Meth Use on the Body

In addition to these effects on the brain, there are many ways meth use affects the body. Some of the common ways the body may react to meth use include an increased heart rate and blood pressure, as well as respiratory issues. Extremely high doses may even cause lethal body temperature levels. The higher the dose, the higher chance of stroke, heart attack, and even death.  

Methamphetamines are sometimes used for treating health conditions, despite their other reputations. Most commonly, they are prescribed to help treat attention deficit disorder (ADD) or sometimes narcolepsy. The adverse long-term effects of methamphetamines are similar to those of other illicit street drugs. An addiction that develops from excessive methamphetamine use calls for finding treatment immediately to prevent these physical, mental, and psychological effects.

Recognizing the Signs That You Need Help

Similar to how methamphetamines have physical, mental, and psychological effects, the symptoms of meth addiction are also physical, mental, and psychological. It can sometimes be difficult to recognize someone is struggling with addiction but recognizing the signs of meth addiction can be easier to see. 

You may notice excessive weight loss in someone addicted to meth. They may have unhealthy skin, rotting teeth, or display erratic behavior. They may also experience other health issues as a result of their meth use, including diseases due to a weakened immune system.

Recognizing these signs and symptoms in yourself or others can make all the difference between life and death. Unfortunately, it does not take excessive meth use for adverse effects to occur. Continued use of methamphetamines poses a significant threat to your life. Only you can take those first steps to enter an addiction center and work toward a life free of active addiction.

Methods for Treating Methamphetamine Addiction

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), behavioral therapies can treat methamphetamine addiction most effectively. These therapies can include:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): This form of therapy helps you become aware of and reduce negative thinking that impairs your view of certain situations. 
• The matrix model: This 16-week comprehensive behavioral treatment combines behavioral therapy, family education, counseling, the 12-Steps, and drug tests to reduce the use of methamphetamine. 
• Contingency management interventions: This is a method that employs rewards to help you engage in treatment and abstain from meth use.

If you or someone you love is suffering from addiction to methamphetamines, we implore you to seek treatment immediately. A life away from active addiction is just one call away; you just have to choose for yourself. You may recognize these signs within yourself, but the most significant sign might be that you have come across this article. 

Coming to terms with the fact that you may be suffering from an addiction to methamphetamines can be hard … but also freeing. Freeing yourself of meth use must start with detox. DetoxNearMe.com makes finding a reputable detox provider easier than ever.

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