But when officials talk about the devastating effect of controlled substance misuse they generally focus on fentanyl, a powerful opioid. If you’re concerned about your drug use, help is available. If you feel comfortable, you can bring it up with a healthcare professional. Keep in mind that patient confidentiality laws will prevent them from reporting this information to law enforcement.
Other risks
Inpatient or residential options involve you staying at a 24-hour facility with intensive professional care, including medical supervision. There, you will likely participate in education sessions, individual and group counseling, and behavior therapies. People who regularly inject the drug may suffer from collapsed veins and a higher risk for contracting HIV/AIDS or hepatitis. Snorting meth can damage sinus cavities and nasal passages, and lead to chronic nosebleeds and/or a perpetual runny nose.
- They could seem confused, paranoid, or even aggressive with you and others.
- Has a serious meth problem, and it’s time to talk about it — frankly, clearly and publicly in a way that we have not yet done, at least not to the extent that we discuss fentanyl, mental illness, COVID-19 or even the measles.
- The first step is to recognize any misconceptions you might have about substance use and addiction.
- A person wanting to stop methamphetamine use should speak with a healthcare professional, who can provide support and referrals to treatment centers.
- Scars can form in your veins when you put drugs into them with needles.
- Meth withdrawal appears differently than meth intoxication, when a person is actively high on meth.
How to reduce your risk of relapse
Long-term meth use can cause changes to the dopamine system in the brain. As a result, over time, meth users may develop problems with learning, memory, and coordination. In addition, a recent study of about 34,000 people in Utah found meth addiction that those who used meth were at increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease compared to those who did not use drugs. Parkinson’s disease is a brain disease that causes shaking and difficulty with balance and coordination.
Still Reaching: The Syndemics that Complicate and Characterize How Drugs and HIV Intersect in People’s Lives
Nicknames include crystal, speed, zoom, go, crank, tweak, ice, glass, rock candy, shizzo, yaba, fire, uppers, poor man’s cocaine or shards. Some people call it Tina when out in public, because it sounds like they’re talking about a person rather than a drug. The drug has devastating effects on those who become addicted to it. According to MethProject.org, the meth addiction factor is extreme—it’s « one of the most addictive substances » out there today. However, a doctor may prescribe medication for other symptoms, such as depression or anxiety. A person with severe withdrawal symptoms may need to go through a medical detox program, where a doctor can monitor them and treat any symptoms as they appear.
Physical effects
Take our free, 5-minute substance use self-assessment below if you think you or someone you love might struggle with substance addiction. The evaluation consists of 11 yes or no questions that are intended to be used as an informational tool to assess the severity and probability of a substance use disorder. The test is free, confidential, and no personal information is needed to receive the result. Long-term use of meth can cause significant damage to the brain and the cells that make dopamine as well as to the nerve cells containing serotonin. « For heroin users, there’s methadone, there’s suboxone. I just wonder why we haven’t researched [treatments for] this drug yet, » she says.
Meth Addiction: Signs, Effects, and Treatment
- On October 3, 2023, Pettway sold approximately 2 ounces of methamphetamine to a confidential informant for $200 in Nitro.
- Take our free, 5-minute substance use self-assessment below if you think you or someone you love might be struggling with substance use.
- As a stimulant, it speeds up activity in the central nervous system, which can cause a person to feel euphoric, powerful, and alert.
- To guide your process, consider these steps to help your loved one.
- People experiencing methamphetamine addiction should speak with a healthcare professional who can provide support and treatment pathways.
In the 1970s, regulators added the drug to the Schedule II list of controlled substances in the U.S. Methamphetamine is illegal except when a physician prescribes it for a very limited number of medical conditions. In most cases, abstinence from meth abuse for at least two years can lead to the reversal of many of the negative physical signs of methamphetamine abuse but not all.
What to do if you think a loved one has an addiction
This pattern of use can more quickly lead to drug dependence and addiction. A 2018 study linked methamphetamine misuse to a moderately increased risk of Parkinson’s disease and premature onset. However, the authors suggest that more research is needed to assess how other factors affect an individual’s risk of developing Parkinson’s. If someone you love is abusing meth, and cannot or will not stop on their own, it may be time to seek professional help. If they are in denial about their harmful behavior, you may want to set up an intervention with an addiction specialist and gather their close friends and family members. This person may also be aware they are addicted but are unable to stop despite trying to ween back their dosage.
What to expect from treatment
When someone is taking meth, they are alert and energized, and can stay awake for long periods of time. When meth wears off, however, a significant “crash” generally occurs, leaving individuals feeling fatigued, lethargic, hungry, depressed, and anxious. As a result, meth is commonly taken in a binge pattern, often called a “run,” where small amounts of meth are taken every few hours for a couple days to prolong the high.
- NIDA reports that meth addiction can also possibly increase the risk for developing the nerve and movement disorder Parkinson’s disease.
- Common physical effects of « coming down » from the drug use include body aches, heartburn and feeling extremely lethargic, nauseous and confused.
- While there’s no basis to argue all such break-ins or attacks on bus drivers or Metro passengers involved meth, it’s naive to argue that none of them did.
- If you plan to stop using other substances, particularly alcohol, GHB/GBL, or benzodiazepines, talk with a medical professional first, as stopping these on your own can be dangerous.
- While comedowns and crashes are technically part of withdrawal, people often use these terms to describe the severity of symptoms (with a comedown being the least severe and withdrawal being the most severe).
- The Board of Supervisors last week approved Lindsey Horvath’s call for a report from public health, mental health and other officials on the response to meth use, and it’s a welcome step.
Looking for Treatment?
In some cases, people may need a medical detox as the first step in treatment. Medical detox is designed to safely manage the physical effects of withdrawal when your loved one stops using meth. Many people have trouble focusing on their recovery if they’re still dealing with withdrawal. However, as with most addictive substances, the body begins to tolerate meth with prolonged use. It also reduces other desired effects of the drug, including improvements in libido and concentration. This tolerance may cause a person to use more crystal meth to get the same high they once got with a lower dose.
