Recognize the Signs of Meth Addict: Early Detection Enables  Recovery 

When it comes to drugs like Meth, the quicker you identify the signs of meth addiction, the easier the recovery. Methamphetamine is a central nervous system stimulant. When someone ingests the drug, they experience a flood of dopamine, which makes them feel good/euphoric – or “ high”. They are energized and feel powerful, confident, and successful. But that is not the end of the story. It gets dark from thereon. The fall comes soon after that and like Humpty Dumpty when that fall comes it is difficult to get back together again. 

Statistics: What makes Meth Addiction An Intangible Burden? 

“There were 2.5 million Americans aged 12 or older who used methamphetamine in the past year. With  1.6 million individuals aged 12 or older who met the criteria for a methamphetamine use disorder in 2021.” American Addiction Centers

We take a look at the costs of meth addiction from three perspectives – that of the economy, personal loss, and public health & safety.

Economic: Way back in 2009, a study conducted by Rand Corporation estimated that the financial cost of methamphetamine use to society was an excessive $16.2 billion and $48.3 billion. The study stated that the expenses were due to the “intangible burden that addiction places on dependent users and their premature mortality and from crime and criminal justice costs.”  

Public health and safety: Also, because meth is produced in laboratories that may lack the necessary safety protocols, there have been many incidents where Children and Public Service Officials have been harmed – sometimes critically leading to death. 

Personal loss: Unintentional methamphetamine overdoses have increased by more than twenty times in the period 2009 to 2022. While meth addiction is a huge problem that the authorities face it somehow is overshadowed by the rising number of fentanyl casualties. What is a matter of concern is that more than 50% of the unintentional overdose cases also involved meth as well apart from fentanyl. Considering its potential to do damage, it is necessary to caution your loved ones, especially kids about the impact of abuse. 

It is equally important to be aware of the signs of meth drug abuse. When you recognize the signs of a meth addict, early in their addiction and dependency cycle, you make it easier for them to fight back. You also prevent some of the serious damage that could have been done to the brain otherwise. 

Causes of meth addiction

There are many reasons for taking meth. People could abuse meth to appear cool. As meth helps one stay energized and awake for a long time, it helps users deal with the pressures of personal and professional life. For example, in the fast-paced world of modeling and movies and wall street, meth is a drug of choice, because it helps one stay awake and energized. As it infuses the user with a sense of power and confidence, they feel they have everything under control.

Unfortunately, though, the confidence is for some hours only, because once the drug wears off, the user feels tired, lethargic, and depressed. As a result, many users take the drug in “runs” – small dosages over several days which increase the dependency and aggravate risks – which are listed below.  

Risks of meth addiction: Long-term meth addiction damages the brain

Lower mortality: Studies report that along with cocaine, heroin, and prescription opioids, meth is the leading cause of drug-related mortalities and lost lives in America.

Risk of dependency: It impacts both the brain and the cells that make dopamine. Additionally, it also hurts the nerve cells producing another sunshine chemical serotonin. This will impact you as a person to the extent that it can cause a dramatic change in your personality.

Damage to the brain: The DEA had cautioned that over half of the dopamine cells in the brain, and the serotonin-containing nerve cells will be impacted as a result of meth addiction. The change is often permanent. 

Risk of Parkinson’s Disease: A prominent study reported that meth addicts were at increased risk for developing Parkinson’s disease compared to normal people who did not do drugs. 

Meth addicts stand a higher risk of contracting incurable diseases like AIDs/HIV and hepatitis.

Thankfully, it is possible to revise the damage done to the brain if the person abstains for long. But that would require willpower and guidance from people who are trained in managing addictions and facilitating recovery.

Recognize the Signs of Meth Addict:

Altered personality: Meth alters the personality. Your family will fail to recognize you. Not just because your appearance has changed but also because your personality has undergone a sea change. Meth addicts are angry, aggressive, delusional, and prone to immense mood swings. As a result, any kind of relationship is difficult to sustain. 

Meth mouth and other physical changes: Additionally, there will be physical changes that will not at all make a person attractive or likable. Skin sores, decayed teeth, and meth mouth. 

There could be sinus, respiratory problems, lung damage, nosebleeds, collapsed veins, and all complications that would require consistent medical support as their immune system is weakened.  

A sense of loss and purpose: effects of meth use

Every time a person abuses a drug, they lose their sense of purpose. If you are dependent on a drug for your happiness then there is no purpose in human existence. Apart from the loss of self, the toll that methamphetamine takes on the physical and psychological health of a person is devastating. 

According to NIDA the long-term effects of Meth use are:

• Addiction
• Dependency
• Overdosing
• Comorbid conditions and substance abuse 
• Different types of psychosis, including paranoia, hallucinations
• Impaired motor activity
• Permanent changes in brain structure and function
• Memory loss
• Aggressive or violent behavior
• Mood disturbances
• Severe dental problems
• Weight loss
• Lower mortality
• Results in monetary losses
• Causes permanent damage to the brain
• Divorce, homelessness

Comorbid conditions:

People living with meth also have anxiety, mood disorders, and substance abuse disorder. Hence, an integrated and comprehensive approach that takes care of all the existing concerns is necessary. According to the National Library of Medicine (NLM) the sooner someone receives help for meth use, the better the long-term prognosis is.

Withdrawal and overdosing

With a Schedule II drug like methamphetamine, two things are very likely to happen if you or your loved one happens to be a meth addict. What you decide to choose can either alter your life completely or ruin it.

Withdrawal: If you decide that enough is enough and decide to turn to a new leaf, the first step is abstinence. However, this is not at all easy, and going cold turkey is never recommended. Instead, you must commit yourself to a residential program. 

Initially, when you start your abstinence journey, you will experience withdrawal pangs, primarily because meth is highly addictive and causes alteration in certain regions of the brain. Withdrawal pangs are frequent in the initial stage, but if one persists, then in time these become less frequent and painful. 

The good news is that there could also be a reversal of some of the brain damage if one abstains from the drug completely. So persist, even if some days you feel depressed and angry, and suffer from mood swings, weight loss, anxiety, fatigue, and intense cravings (the classic signs and symptoms of withdrawal). A well-integrated and comprehensive residential treatment program can even help you cope with these symptoms with meditation, controlled and supervised medication, and therapy. 

Though a rebound or a relapse is highly probable, a residential program can help you stay clean for long and help you build the willpower for complete abstinence. 

The other probability is overdosing. If one continues with meth abuse, then the chances of overdosing are high. According to the American Addiction Center, in 2021, there were nearly 33,000 deaths due to meth. Between 2015 and 2019, the number of methamphetamine-related overdose deaths nearly tripled among U.S. adults aged 18 to 64.

Overdosing is a high risk with meth because it is used along with other drugs like fentanyl. Symptoms of a meth overdose look something like a stroke and heart attack and are also accompanied by rapid pulse beat and agitation. Remember, your prompt action can save a life. Whether it is you or someone or a close family member,  reach out to thereahabsupport.com at the earliest or call us at 949.325.7994