The drug use pattern shifts from the occasional high to a repetitive, sleep-deprived “binge and crash” pattern. Since meth stimulates the central nervous system to boost alertness and energy, those addicted to meth often suffer insomnia and sleep disturbances. Meth addicts can often stay awake for days or weeks on end, and may crash for two to three days in between long bouts of awakeness. The effects of Meth addiction are some of the most dangerous of all addictions.
Addiction (clinically called a substance use disorder) refers to the compulsive, uncontrollable use of meth despite all of the harm that it causes. Addiction encompasses not only physical changes (such as dependence) but harmful behaviors that affect every aspect of an individual’s life. Addiction elicits changes in the brain which impact an individual’s drive, motivation, thought process and behaviors so much that meth use becomes prioritized over all else. The chemicals in meth can lead to imbalances in the brain that cause disorganized thoughts and thinking processes. In fact, many other meth addiction are partly linked to or triggered by disorganized thoughts in the brain such as violent behavior, confusion, and disorganized speech. If any of these symptoms sound familiar, it may be time to get help for meth addiction.
Can Using Meth Once Cause Withdrawal?
In 2020, about 1.5 million people in the United States over the age of 12 had meth use disorder. If you feel calmer when drinking alcohol, you might assume it’ll help you feel less restless or jittery when you take meth. For instance, you might feel energized, confident, and more alert than usual.
There are evidence-based treatments that can help you live a drug-free life. Using meth can cause long-term damage to the person’s health, which often persists even after the person has stopped using the drug. Since the effects of the drug start and fade quickly, people often take repeated doses in what is known as a binge and crash pattern.
How to recognize addiction in others
People say they have a quick rush of euphoria shortly after using crystal meth, but it’s dangerous. It can damage your body and cause severe psychological problems. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) estimates that about 1.2 million Americans have abused methamphetamine at least once in the previous 12 months. This means that about 0.4% of the U.S. population has abused meth in the past year. NIDA data also indicates that about 440,000 Americans have engaged in methamphetamine abuse at least once in the previous 30 days.
- Xerostomia, also known as dry mouth, is a common side effect of meth use.
- Here’s what to look for if you think you or a loved one might be suffering from meth addiction.
- It’s a pill approved to treat ADHD, but doctors don’t prescribe it very often.
- Many times, open sores on meth addicts are caused by hallucinations of bugs crawling under the skin.
Xerostomia, also known as dry mouth, is a common side effect of meth use. Saliva contains antibacterial properties that naturally help maintain your oral hygiene, but dry mouth leads to less saliva, and heightened exposure to harmful bacteria. Meth use can lead to what’s known as “meth mouth,” and cause inflammation, gum disease, tooth decay, and tooth loss. Meth caused about 3,700 overdose deaths in 2014, and almost 4,900 overdose deaths in 2015 — a 30% increase from the previous year. In 2016 the number of meth overdose deaths increased by 57% and caused 7,700 fatalities. In comparison, opioids including heroin caused over 53,000 overdose deaths in 2016.
Family and Children’s Programs
The test is free, confidential, and no personal information is needed to receive the result. Health professionals may be able to treat some other side effects of meth, such as meth sores, meth mouth and thinning hair. A proper diet, dental care and skin treatment can reverse some effects of meth use. And many people with meth mouth end up requiring major dental repair procedures and dentures. The initial effects of meth can be described as euphoric or exhilarating.
If a drug is so dangerous, so addictive, and so debilitating, why do people use it? Primarily, crystal meth is easy to get and cheap for how long the high lasts. For instance, a small amount of crystal meth that costs maybe ten dollars could allow one or two people to stay high and keep partying for a full day or longer. Other reasons meth addicts cite for seeking out the drug include rapid weight loss and the way it lowers inhibitions and increases libido.
Practicing relapse prevention and management techniques can help improve your chances of recovery in the long term. Your loved one might deny having a problem at all or refuse to seek help. If that happens, consider seeking out additional resources or find a support group for family members or friends of people living with addiction.
