Meth Addiction Treatment: How to Quit Meth

There are many physical side effects of long-term meth abuse, such as tooth decay or „meth mouth,“ body sores, weight loss, hair loss and outward signs of aging as the drug destroys tissues and blood vessels. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), psychosis can last for several months or years after the individual quits using. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

You probably won’t be able to tell if the drug you take has dangerous stuff in it, so try to buy meth from someone you trust. Some people swallow it in a pill form or smoke it by heating up crystals in a glass bowl or pipe and breathing in the vapors. Methamphetamine hydrochloride (Desoxyn) is the only legal methamphetamine in the U.S.

How to Find Help for Methamphetamine Misuse

Some folks may do a “run,” which involves taking meth continuously for several hours or days, often without sleeping or eating. After almost losing their son to addiction, their hearts had softened. Returning home gave me the perfect opportunity to start healing our relationship. At 18, I finally worked up the courage to tell my mom I’m gay.

This can lead to heart arrythmias, which can then lead to potentially fatal heart failure. Methamphetamine is a Central Nervous System (CNS) Stimulant made from Amphetamine and other chemicals. Originally prescribed as a Decongestant and weight loss aid, Methamphetamine was once widely and legally available in tablet and injectable forms throughout the US. However, a large population abused these products for the Stimulant effects; this prompted the FDA to restrict and regulate the drug as a Schedule II controlled substance in 1970.

Does it interact with alcohol and other drugs?

Because meth has properties that alter brain chemistry, people who use it become more vulnerable to meth addiction. Someone abusing crystal meth often uses in what are known as “binges” due to its intense but short-acting highs. This is followed by an intense “crash, where users can feel symptoms of withdrawal for several days. Methamphetamine, also known as crystal meth, or meth, is a highly addictive drug which affects the central nervous system. Crystal meth is typically smoked, snorted or injected to provide a lasting high that makes the user feel invincible, upbeat, energetic and euphoric.

• People who regularly inject the drug may suffer from collapsed veins and a higher risk for contracting HIV/AIDS or hepatitis.
• Methamphetamine hydrochloride (Desoxyn) is the only legal methamphetamine in the U.S.
• Terms such as “alcoholic,” “substance abuse,” and “brain damage” are generally terms we avoid using in the articles we publish at American Addiction Centers (AAC).
• “It’s the first time we have a large trial showing such a clear signal of therapeutic benefit, so it’s a big deal.“

Meth use can also increase your risk of Parkinson’s disease, a progressive neurological condition that can make it hard to control your movements. If you inject meth with a needle, you also have a higher risk of contracting bloodborne viruses like hepatitis C. What’s more, combining meth — a stimulant — with depressants like alcohol, opioids, or benzodiazepines can have a tug-of-war effect on your bodily functions. In everyday language, that means most of the meth will leave your system before the day is done.

Signs and Symptoms of a Meth Addiction

The term “addiction” describes a pattern of behavior rather than bodily processes, such as withdrawal. For example, a person may feel compelled to gamble, despite harmful consequences, without ever using drugs or alcohol. Meth addiction can be harmful to health, to the extent that it can even be fatal. It’s important to recognize this addiction and seek help for it as soon as possible.

• Amphetamine was first synthesized in Germany in 1887, when ephedrine was isolated from the ephedra shrub.
• But you can lessen the chances of harmful effects if you use smaller amounts of meth no matter what method you choose.
• On July 18, 2018, at 26, I was admitted to the psych ward and put on a 14-day involuntary hold after experiencing drug-induced psychosis.
• If you or a loved one is struggling with meth teeth due to addiction, speak to a professional as soon as possible.
• The euphoria you experience when using meth may last only a few minutes.

Meth belongs to a class of addictive substances known as stimulants. Its chemical structure is closely related to amphetamine, but the slight modifications result in a drug that is more potent and longer-lasting. These strategies can assist those in recovery to maintain abstinence. If you have experienced a relapse, please contact a meth hotline. An admissions representative will offer advice and walk you through your options for additional rehab treatment.

Hypoxic Brain Damage from Overdose

The high may linger a little longer if you snort or swallow the drug, lasting up to 12 hours or longer. The duration may differ for you depending on how often you use meth. For instance, your heart rate may speed up, slow down, and then speed up again, because your body metabolizes each drug at different rates. These rapid changes can put a lot of strain on your body, to the point where you need emergency medical attention.

People recovering from meth addiction should continue therapy after completing meth treatment. Recovering addicts may also move to a sober living home — a residence where people practice a sober lifestyle. The risk for relapse reduces meth addiction during the adjustment stage of meth recovery. They begin to adapt to their new lifestyle, which may include new jobs or relationships. During this stage of meth recovery, individuals are particularly vulnerable to relapse.

Start Your Meth Addiction Recovery Today

The broad-ranging damage underscores the urgent need for comprehensive meth addiction prevention and treatment strategies. Seeking help for meth addiction is a crucial step in the journey toward recovery. It’s important to remember that addiction isn’t a choice but a disease of the brain that requires professional intervention.

• As with other substances that may cause a person to develop an SUD, using meth can lead to physical, mental, and social difficulties.
• If you use meth on a regular basis, it can change your brain’s dopamine system.
• Withdrawal symptoms are optimally managed through a medical detox regime like that provided in a comprehensive treatment program.
• Like amphetamine, methamphetamine causes increased activity and talkativeness, decreased appetite, and a pleasurable sense of well-being or euphoria.

Meth dependency drastically affects the individual, their families, and society at large. The long-term damage is catastrophic, and the path to recovery is challenging. Paranoia, hallucinations, and obsessive behaviors can become permanent.