Are you concerned your loved one is addicted to meth? You need to know the meth addiction symptoms. With these, you can get an idea of whether or not the person you care about is addicted.
In this blog, we explore this and look at everything else you need to know about methamphetamine. If you would like more information on how we treat addiction to meth at The Beekeeper, contact us on +66 90 893 5296.
What is Methamphetamine?
Methamphetamine is an energising drug (stimulant) that is highly addictive. It is more commonly known by its street names ‘meth’, ‘crystal meth’, ‘crank’, or ‘ice’. It can be taken orally, injected, smoked, or snorted. People abuse meth to experience a sudden ‘rush’ of pleasure. The desired effects of meth are increased energy and alertness, an elevated positive emotional state, and decreased appetite.1
Why is Meth Abuse Widespread?
First synthesised by a German scientist in the 19th century, meth has a long history of use around the world. Meth was widely used during the second world war by U.S. troops to enhance performance and productivity.2 Since then, people have used meth for both medical and recreational purposes.
Its cheaper price, wide availability, and long-lasting potent effects (8-12 hours) make meth one of the most abused drugs in the U.S., Meth is simple to produce since it is made from commonly available retail products. This makes it challenging for authorities to control the illegal production of meth (meth labs).3
According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, about 2.6 million Americans aged 12 and older used meth in 2020; of that number, 1.5 million people had meth use disorder and about 23,837 people died from overdoses of stimulants (mainly meth).4
How Does Meth Work?
Meth triggers dopamine release in the brain (dopamine is a chemical in the brain associated with pleasure, reward, and motivation). Experts say meth users may have the perception of being more attentive and productive than they actually are when under the influence of the drug. Furthermore, meth can make people feel more confident, conversational, and socially outgoing.5 In reality, studies have shown that meth has no beneficial effects on physical or cognitive performance in meth users.6,7
The use of meth over time results in the development of tolerance (increasing drug usage as a result of the body’s diminished response to meth). Users may get addicted to meth with regular use. Because of the catastrophic long-term consequences of meth addiction, it is important to protect loved ones from becoming meth addicts. Understanding the symptoms associated with meth use is the first step in this process.
Signs of Someone Using Meth – Meth Addiction Symptoms
Meth addiction symptoms vary among users. Signs depend on the amount of meth used and how recently it was used. Furthermore, the method of consumption of meth (oral, smoked, or injected) may influence the signs shown by users.
Regular meth use will lead to different long-term and short-term effects. Long-term effects include developing an addiction to meth, bleeding in the brain, mood disorders, vision impairment, and anhedonia (a condition where a long-term reduction in dopamine levels in the brain results in an inability to experience pleasure from simple, everyday things).
The most common short-term effects of meth abuse are listed below. They are grouped into physical, behavioural, and psychological signs.
1) Physical Meth Addiction Symptoms
For some people, meth can create a variety of obvious physical symptoms in a short period of time. Physical meth addiction symptoms include:
- Itchiness of skin
- Flushed skin
- Increased body temperature and heart rate
- Tooth decay and inflammation of the gums (also known as ‘meth mouth’)
- Uncontrolled twitching
- Pupil dilation
- Decreased hunger
- Weight loss
- Euphoria (a feeling of pleasure)
- Paranoia
- Extreme tiredness
- Tweaking (a condition that occurs after the user has finished a meth binge and the drug no longer provides the intended rush or high)
2) Behavioral Meth Addiction Symptoms
Meth use may radically alter a user’s behaviour, especially following an addiction to meth. The following are some behavioral meth addiction symptoms:
- Failure to meet responsibilities
- Inability to control meth use
- Ignoring grooming, hygiene, and appearance
- Social isolation
- Risky sexual behaviour
- Aggressive behaviour
3) Psychological Meth Addiction Symptoms
Prolonged and frequent use of meth affects the brain. This results in abnormal changes in the mood of the users. Meth use can cause the following psychological meth addiction symptoms:
- Confusion
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Aggression
- Poor memory
- Inability to focus
- Hallucinations
- Sleeplessness (insomnia)
- Depression
- Mood swings
- Poor decision-making
- Causes of meth addiction
Several factors contribute to a person becoming addicted to meth. These factors include:
Genetic Vulnerability to Meth Addiction
According to researchers, there is a considerable genetic component that might predict a person’s vulnerability to developing a meth addiction. People with first-degree relatives who are addicted to meth, such as parents or siblings, are more likely to get addicted to meth.8
Biological Factor
Studies have shown that euphoria and feelings of improved confidence following meth use are due to meth-triggered dopamine release in the brain.9 Regular meth use decreases dopamine receptors in the brain, requiring more and more dopamine to achieve the same high as before. This leads to addiction to meth in regular users.
Psychological Factor
Many mental disorders and other conditions can cause a reduction in feelings of happiness and focus. As a result, many people turn to drug abuse to manage their symptoms.
Environmental Factor
People who grow up in dysfunctional families without parental love and compassion are more likely to struggle with drug addiction. Kids who grow up around parents who use drugs like meth learn that abusing drugs is a way to cope with stress. Furthermore, when a parent engages in substance abuse, it becomes more acceptable and normalising its use. These environmental factors could lead to meth addiction in the future.
Meth Addiction Co-occurring Disorders
It has been found that the co-occurrence of various disorders amongst meth users has devastating results.10 Co-occurring mental disorders may hamper recovery from meth addiction.11 Moreover, people who had access to ongoing mental health therapy responded better to meth addiction treatments.12 As a result, diagnosing and treating co-occurring disorders is a critical first step in meth addiction treatment.
The following conditions are associated with meth use:
Depression
Meth use is frequently associated with depression. A lifetime history of depression was reported by 41.6% of people with meth use disorder.13
Psychotic Disorders
Some people who abuse meth on a regular basis develop psychotic symptoms. The severe psychotic symptoms often result in hospitalisation. In a study on meth users, paranoia was experienced by 64% of males and 67% of females, and hallucinations were experienced by 40% of males and 47% of females.14
Anxiety Disorders
In a study conducted in Australia, about 76% of regular meth users experienced severe anxiety, and 33% of meth users experienced panic attacks after starting meth use.
Along with the mentioned disorders, regular meth use causes continuous brain damage that may result in cognitive decline (hampered memory and decision-making ability). Furthermore, meth use raises the risk of suffering a stroke caused by a brain bleed.15
Meth Withdrawal Symptoms
Long-term and regular use of meth can lead to psychological dependence on the drug. When people quit regular meth use, they often suffer a variety of severe and unpleasant meth withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms include:
- Strong urge to use meth
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Paranoia
- Extreme tiredness
- Hallucinations
- Headaches
Treatment for Crystal Meth Addiction
If someone you care about shows signs of meth use, consult The Beekeeper to diagnose meth addiction. Following a verified diagnosis, clients can receive treatment for crystal meth addiction using a variety of therapeutic approaches, as follows:
Detoxification (detox)
Detox is the initial stage of treatment for crystal meth addiction and is carried out under the monitoring of a healthcare provider. Detox removes the physical presence of meth from the body and assists users in readjusting to life without the drug.
During this phase, patients may experience withdrawal symptoms, and they may relapse (resume meth use). Meth withdrawal symptoms are treated using drugs to relieve patient discomfort. Haloperidol (dopamine antagonist medication), for example, can help to calm a restless patient.
Behavioural Therapies
CBT has been shown to be particularly beneficial in treatment for crystal meth addiction. CBT examines the role of drug dependence in a patient’s life and teaches methods to avoid relapse. Other approaches in therapy may also be useful, depending on each persons needs.
Narrative Therapy
Narrative therapy highlights the significance of personal life experiences. Narrative therapy is used to assist meth users in understanding how their stories have shaped their drug use and how to change these ideas and actions.
Combination Therapy
Combination therapy incorporates all the therapeutic approaches mentioned in different phases of treatment. In the first stage, the patient undergoes detox with the help of medicines that control the withdrawal symptoms. In the later phases of the treatment, CBT and narrative therapy are used to keep the patient motivated.
During all the stages of rehabilitation of meth addicts, the moral support of family and loved ones is essential, as meth addiction is a complex condition that requires more than good intentions and a strong desire to conquer it.
Alternative Therapies
The Beekeeper implements modern therapies which have been scientifically proven to treat addiction. We include treatments such as TRE, EMDR and sound healing to compliment the more traditional therapies at our centre.
Meth Addiction Treatment at The Beekeeper
Meth addiction presents some unique challenges for treatment. The damage caused by meth can be debilitating, and it can take time for healing to occur. But time and time again we see that former meth users who complete our programs are able to find healing and long-lasting recovery.
For more information on how we help those who have been impacted from meth addiction achieve this, contact us on +66 90 893 5296.
References
- Rawson RA, Gonzales RG, Brethen P. Treatment of methamphetamine use disorders: An update. J. Subst. Abuse Treat. 2002;23:145–150.
- Miller MA. History and epidemiology of amphetamine abuse in the United States. In Amphetamine Misuse: International Perspectives on Current Trends (ed. Klee H.): 113–34. Harwood Academic Publishers, 1997.
- Low KG, Gendaszek AE. Illicit use of psychostimulants among college students: a preliminary study. Psychol. Health & Med. 2002;7(3):283–287.
- National Survey on Drug Use and Health (U.S.), & United States. (2020). The NSDUH report. Rockville, Md.: U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration, Office of Applied Studies.
- Shrem MT, Halkitis PN. Methamphetamine abuse in the United States: contextual, psychological and sociological considerations. J Health Psychol. 2008;13(5):669-79.
- Dufka F, Galloway G, Baggott M, Mendelson J. The effects of inhaled L-methamphetamine on athletic performance while riding a stationary bike: a randomised placebo-controlled trial. Br J Sports Med. 2009;43(11):832-5.
- Mizoguchi H, Yamada K. Methamphetamine use causes cognitive impairment and altered decision-making. Neurochem Int. 2019 Mar;124:106-113.
- Iamjan SA, Thanoi S, Watiktinkorn P, Reynolds GP, Nudmamud-Thanoi S. Genetic variation of GRIA3 gene is associated with vulnerability to methamphetamine dependence and its associated psychosis. J Psychopharmacol. 2018;32(3):309-315.
- Kish SJ. Pharmacologic mechanisms of crystal meth. CMAJ. 2008;178(13):1679-82.
- Glasner-Edwards S, Mooney LJ, Marinelli-Casey P, Hillhouse M, Ang A, Rawson R. Clinical course and outcomes of methamphetamine-dependent adults with psychosis. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment. 2008;35:445-50.
- Ries RK, Goldsmith RJ. Co-occurring Addiction and Psychiatric Disorders. In: Ries RK, Fiellen DA, Miller SC, Saitz R, editors. Principles of Addiction Medicine. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; Philadelphia: 2009. pp. 1137-1274.
- Ouimette PC, Moos RH, Finney JW. Influence of outpatient treatment and 12-step group involvement on one-year substance abuse treatment outcomes. Journal of Studies on Alcohol. 1998;59:513–22.
- Conway KP, Compton W, Stinson FS, Grant BF. Lifetime comorbidity of DSM-IV mood and anxiety disorders and specific drug use disorders: Results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. J Clin Psychiatry. 2006;67:247–257.
- Mahoney JJ, 3rd, Kalechstein AD, De La Garza R, 2nd, Newton TF. Presence and persistence of psychotic symptoms in cocaine- versus methamphetamine-dependent participants. American Journal of Addictions. 2008;17:83–98.
- Lappin JM, Darke S, Farrell M. Stroke and methamphetamine use in young adults: a review. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2017;88(12):1079-1091.
