webadminMeth, also known as methamphetamine, is a highly addicted substance. Meth addiction is a serious and widespread problem in the United States. Meth is a colorless and odorless white crystalline drug. The most life threatening feature of this drug is its affects on the central nervous system.
A study conducted by National Institute of Health, which got in published in January 2021, revealed some alarming statistics regarding meth overdose death surge from 2011 to 2018.
Meth is a drug that can be injected, snorted, smoked or swallowed by addicts. The drug is extremely addictive and has gruesome effects on the physical, mental and behavioral state of a person. It also leads to severe symptoms of teeth decay, heart attacks, hallucinations and hyperactivity in a user.
As a person continue to use this dangerous drug, outward symptoms become more palpable. Regular use of meth causes the onset of a compulsive behavior of taking the drug repeatedly in a user because of the dopamine in the brain. Learning about both, the short-term and long-term side effects of meth can help to identify the symptoms in someone you know grappling with meth addiction.
What are the short-term effects of meth/ methamphetamine misuse?
Methamphetamine use (meth) makes the central nervous system hyperactive. It makes the user feel agitated, alert, hyper-aroused and aggressive due to increased amount of dopamine in the brain.
The short-term symptoms include:
- Breathlessness
- Rapid talking
- Feeling euphoric
- Increased risky sexual drive
- Accelerated heart rate
- Foul breath
- Blocked nasal passage including nasal bleeding
- Sweating excessively
- Rotting and broken teeth
- Experiencing skin burn on tip of fingers
- Needle marks on arm
- Infection, abscess and sores
- Premature skin ageing
- Sudden weight loss
Meth also causes severe damage to the heart. If a loved one is experiencing any of the below symptoms, seek medical help immediately.
- Seizure
- Dilated pupils
- Breathing trouble
- Chest pain
- High blood pressure
- Stomach pain
- Agitation
- Paranoia
- Confusion
- Irregular heart beat etc.
What are the behavioral changes or signs for meth- misuse?
The behavioral signs of meth misuse include:
- Indulgence in criminal activities such as stealing in order to procure drugs
- Alleviated motor skills and increased clumsiness
- Swerving towards bad company
- Social isolation, especially from family and friends
- Irregular sleep pattern
- Loss of appetite
- Experiencing tics or twitch
- Hyperactivity
- Rushing thoughts
- Increased aggression and unexplained violent behavior
- Neglecting relationships
- Risky sexual and financial behavior
- Loss of focus and interest in daily responsibilities and activities
Long-term effects of meth use:
Meth misuse has ability to wreak havoc on a person’s physical health. The long-term side effects include:
- Developing tolerance for the drug, triggering increased dose usage
- Creepy skin sensation
- Malnutrition
- Aggression
- Hallucinations
- elusion
- Anxiousness leading to feeling of worry
- Agitation
- Anhedonia, lack the ability to feel pressure
- Impaired judgement
- Impaired cognitive motor skills and memory
- Mood swings
- Impulsive feeling of paranoia and distrust in others
What are the signs of meth overdose?
Learning about the signs of meth overdose is imperative to save your loved ones from fatal consequences. Overdosing is very common with meth users. It can lead to overwhelming symptoms such heart failure, liver failure and at times taking away lives of users.
The signs of overdosing include:
- Heart attack
- Seizure
- Extreme anxiety
- Kidney failure
- Liver failure
- Irregular breathing
- Fever
If you find any of the above signs in your loved ones, seek medical help immediately.
How to help your loved ones struggling with meth addiction?
If you or someone you know is battling with methamphetamine addiction, Mind Health Network is always ready to help you recover. Once you get in touch with us, our team of qualified health experts will get you connected with personalized treatment plans to help you overcome drug addiction and live a healthier and safer life.
We can help you find the best addiction treatment in California. We can connect you with our network residential addiction treatment centers offering an array of treatment plans. Call us today at our 24/7 helpline number or you can speak to our online representative for further information.
Start your journey for a better life today!
