Meth addiction

Meth addiction develops quickly. Meth can destroy the user's life in just a few months. When someone stays awake for days at a time--in addition to not eating--it can wreak havoc on the mind and body. Something called "speed psychosis" is common among those who use the drug for any length of time, characterized by intense paranoia.

'Meth' (also known as 'Crystal meth', 'Ice', 'Crank', 'Crystal', 'Speed', 'Base', 'Getgo' or 'Go Fast', 'Poor Man's Coke' or 'Redneck Cocaine', 'Trash' or 'Garbage', and by many other names) is a common name given to the crystal form of the drug known as methamphetamine. Meth can be smoked or injected.

Methamphetamine was first synthesized in Japan in 1893. During World War II, it was widely distributed to American, German and Japanese soldiers in order to increase their alertness and stave off fatigue. In recent decades, methamphetamine was sold as over-the-counter or prescription medicine used to treat various disorders; today it is still sometimes used as a prescription drug to treat ADHD, narcolepsy and obesity. It has been a popular recreational drug in many countries since the 1970s.

Meth use is a growing problem. Tens of millions of people worldwide use some kind of methamphetamine.

Meth can be highly addictive and have a destructive impact on the user's physical and mental health, and on their personal, social and work life. It can also lead to serious conditions including psychotic episodes, depression, heart disease, stroke and even death.

Meth can be made in a relatively simple laboratory. Since it does not need plant-based components (unlike cocaine, heroin or marijuana), it is hard to prevent its manufacture and distribution.

Effect

Meth is stronger and longer lasting than many other drugs. The effects of meth can last for many hours - which also increases its potential to cause brain damage.

Meth acts on chemicals in the brain, causing short-term and long-term effects.

Short-term effects

The high

Meth increases the levels of chemicals such as dopamine, adrenaline and serotonin in the brain and body. The rush of dopamine and serotonin gives the user an intense feeling of pleasure and wellbeing, while adrenaline activates the body's 'fight-or-flight' reaction, making the user more active, alert and aggressive.

Taking meth can cause:

• A 'high' - the user feels happy, confident, alert, energetic, restless and more aggressive. These feelings normally last for eight to 24 hours;
• Increase in sexual drive (libido);
• Loss of appetite;
• User is more talkative and sociable;
• Sweating, a high body temperature;
• Quick or irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure;
• Fast breathing;
• A dry mouth;
• Stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and;
• Blurry vision.

Coming down

Once the effect of meth is over, the user 'comes down'. Because the reserves of dopamine, adrenaline and serotonin are depleted, the user will feel the reverse of what they felt when high - very tired and hungry, and a significant drop in energy and mood. The user can feel depressed, sad, guilty and withdrawn. These feelings can last for days as the body replenishes its chemical stores, but may extend for much longer periods in heavy or regular users (see 'withdrawal' below).

Binging

To avoid the lows of coming down, many users will then take another 'hit' in order to sustain the high, leading to a pattern of use wherein the user goes on a binge that can last several days, taking repeated hits until they run out of meth and/or no further highs are felt. After such a prolonged binge, the user will normally collapse and sleep for an extended time - often one to three days at a stretch.

Overdose

Some people using meth, especially heavy users and/or people who have taken a high dose of the drug, can act aggressively, even violently, towards others. They can experience psychotic episodes with paranoia, hallucinations and delusions.

Physically, high doses of meth can raise the user's body temperature to dangerous levels, and increase their chances of having a seizure, heart attack or stroke.

Long-term effects

With repeated use, the user can develop an addiction and will have strong cravings for the drug. Over time, the body builds up a tolerance to meth, meaning that the user's body now needs the drug in order to function properly, and that larger and larger doses will be needed to achieve a high. Repeated meth use can cause brain damage, some of which can be permanent.

Effects of long-term meth use can include:

Behavior and mood

• Anxiety and irritability;
• Depression;
• Problems with memory, concentration and decision-making;
• Sleep problems, and;
• Psychosis (hallucinations, delusions), especially when taking larger doses of the drug or for younger users.

Physical effects

• Coordination problems;
• Seizures or repetitive, involuntary movements of the limbs;
• Dental problems (known as 'meth mouth');
• Skin lesions;
• A sensation of insects biting or crawling over your skin (known as 'meth mites');
• Punding - making repetitive actions for extended times, such as searching through your purse for hours;
• Chest pain, heart problems, increased chance of heart attack and stroke;
• Increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease in the long-term, and;
• Increased risk of infections such as HIV and hepatitis C, through sharing needles.

Social effects

Regular use of meth can have a serious effect on your family, social and work life. The mood changes that meth induces can create problems with your ability to work, study and manage personal relationships. It can also put a strain on your finances and get you in trouble with the law.

Meth and pregnancy

Newborn babies born to mothers using meth can suffer from:

• Meth withdrawal symptoms in the weeks after birth;
• Lower birth weight and smaller head size;
• Poor growth, and;
• Poor cognitive, behavioral and social skills later in life.

Warning signs

You may not always notice when someone you know is using meth. Some warning signs to look out for include:

• Behavioral and mood changes, as noted above;
• Loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed;
• More aggressive behavior;
• Problems at work or school;
• Being more easily confused and distracted;
• Interacting less with family and friends, and;
• Problems with money and unexplained disappearance of valuables from the household.

Behavioral changes due to meth use can have a destructive effect on your family and work relationships. 

Treatment for meth addiction

At present, the most successful treatments are providing rehabilitation and support aimed at helping the user overcome their need for the drug.

Withdrawal

Withdrawal from use is the first step on the road to rehabilitation. Withdrawing from regular meth use is not easy; the user's body has grown accustomed to the drug, so stopping it causes a 'crash', which can include:

• Feeling exhausted;
• Depression, apathy, being unable to enjoy anything;
• Anxiety, irritability and forgetfulness;
• Hot and cold flushes;
• Vivid dreams;
• Difficulty sleeping;
• Stomach cramps;
• Increase in appetite, and;
• Strong cravings for the drug.

These feelings normally peak during the first two days and can last for two weeks. Heavy users are more likely to experience intense and longer duration of withdrawal symptoms than less frequent users. Medical support can help to manage these symptoms.

There are currently no medications that can help to prevent the withdrawals; however, some of the psychotic symptoms can be treated with antipsychotic medications. Depression and anxiety can similarly be managed with antidepressant medications in the short-term. New approaches to counteract the effects of methamphetamine on the brain are currently in clinical trials.

Recovery

Physical withdrawal is only one aspect of 'kicking' a drug addiction. Even after the user has become 'clean', they are likely to revert to using it again if the reasons and circumstances that encouraged their drug use are not addressed.

For this reason, seeking medical support is very important for rehabilitation and recovery.

Some treatments to help overcome addiction include:

Cognitive behavior therapy

This is a type of 'talking therapy' that aims to teach people how to change their thinking and behavior to gain control over their cravings and moods. This form of therapy has been most extensively evaluated and proven to be beneficial for a range of problems relating to meth usage, including depression and anxiety.

Behavioral approaches

These focus on helping the user avoid habits, situations and people that may tempt the user to use meth again.

Narrative therapy

This type of psychotherapy uses the power of a person's life story to shape their behavior.

Residential rehabilitation

This approach involves treating the user for an extended period in a safe home-like setting. It can help structure a recovering user's life, treat any underlying problems that may have led to meth use, and keep them away from harmful environments. It is usually offered to people with limited options and resources and difficult personal circumstances.

Family and group support

Having the support of close family and friends, or attending a support group with other people who are also fighting drug addiction, may also help people manage their condition.

Since addiction affects more people than just the user, support for meth rehabilitation can also extend to counselling and supporting the family members of users.

For support or more information

Your doctor or counsellor can help provide you with support or more information. You can also use the following resources:

Crystal Meth Addiction Recovery Hotlines - Toll-Free Crystal Meth Helplines 24/7 Ready to Take Control of Your Addiction? Call 1-888-988-3707

Crystal Meth Addiction Treatment | How to Get Help We Can Help - Call Now (888) 556-1560

Exclusive Crystal Meth Rehab and Rehabilitation Info Call 24/7 for treatment options. Call 1-866-245-5739