In medicinal doses, the drug can increase attention, reduce activity, and promote wakefulness. When abused in larger amounts, individuals are more likely to have feelings of euphoria, problems with judgment, issues with attention, and other significant problems, including potential psychosis. Health meth addiction 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.
- This means that you can pay a $100 fine or visit an addiction recovery center instead of spending time in jail.
- Working with a drug addiction counselor will improve your chances of success, whether you have co-occurring disorders or want to quit on your own.
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. Aftercare services or ongoing treatment provides the best chances of avoiding future relapse. Aftercare may include community-based and family-based support systems, mutual-help groups, alumni events, and more. This isn’t unique to recovering people — everyone experiences the slings and arrows of everyday life.
Are there health effects from exposure to secondhand methamphetamine smoke?
But their creation turned out stronger than they expected — too strong for most people to use safely without the risk of overdose or addiction. If someone has concerns that they or a loved one may have SUD, NIDA’s website can offer support and guidance to help them find a treatment program and manage their condition. Before talking to your loved one, it’s important to accept that if they are using crystal meth, they may not be ready to tell you. Science-based, factual information about substance use can give you a better understanding of how meth makes them feel and why they might feel compelled to keep using it. If you’re worrying about whether a loved one is using crystal meth, your best bet is to have an open conversation with them. The first step is to recognize any misconceptions you might have about substance use and addiction.
- While the parent drug for meth is amphetamine, there are some unique differences.
- The majority of meth withdrawal symptoms are psychological, and can be safely and effectively treated at a meth addiction treatment center.
- NIDA reports that meth addiction can also possibly increase the risk for developing the nerve and movement disorder Parkinson’s disease.
She was formerly a staff writer at Filter, one of the only online journalistic publications dedicated to covering harm reduction. You can also try taking medication to help you sleep or manage uncomfortable symptoms. You’ll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox.
What is Meth (Methamphetamine)?
Methamphetamine interactions can be incredibly dangerous and even fatal. In some cases, methamphetamine is cut with prescription medications, ranging from antidepressants to laxatives. These additives can enhance or alter the effect of the drug on a person’s system.
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. Detox, alone, is typically not sufficient to help an individual maintain lasting recovery. It is typically the first step in a more comprehensive treatment plan. Methamphetamine addiction impacts many different parts of the body including; the muscles, liver, brain, mouth, heart, circulatory system, and respiratory system.
SUD treatment
Methamphetamine use can also alter judgment and decision-making leading to risky behaviors, such as unprotected sex, which also increases risk for infection. Methamphetamine increases the amount of the natural chemical dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is involved in body movement, motivation, and reinforcement https://ecosoberhouse.com/ of rewarding behaviors. The drug’s ability to rapidly release high levels of dopamine in reward areas of the brain strongly reinforces drug-taking behavior, making the user want to repeat the experience. CBT addresses the learning processes underlying drug addiction and other harmful behaviors.
Very often, tolerance to meth leads to a decrease in overall feelings of euphoria, well-being, invulnerability, and other effects of the drug. Typically, users become more psychotic, irrational, and impulsive when they use. As a Schedule II stimulant, meth is legally available with a non-refillable prescription from a medical professional. It also means that meth is considered a controlled substance with a high potential for misuse. The side effects of meth can differ depending on the method of use.