Meth Addiction: Symptoms, Getting Help, Detox, Treatment, and More

Evidence shows that meth users are also three times more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease than non-illicit drug users. Parkinson’s is characterized by tremors, muscle stiffness, and loss of balance. As time passes, you may need larger doses of the drug to get high.

Help them call treatment providers

• Seeking help for addiction may feel daunting or even scary, but several organizations can provide support.
• Addiction develops over time and may have severe consequences daily and long term.
• Your brain restarts the production of neurotransmitters on its own.

The symptoms of abuse are quick to manifest and easy to spot. Again, the signs below can have other causes, including mental health issues like stress, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or psychosis. The next step is a clinical assessment, in which the person and healthcare professionals discuss treatment options. In the United States, there are many treatment facilities for substance use disorders. A person ready to stop methamphetamine use can search for local facilities at FindTreatment.gov. The initial phase of methamphetamine withdrawal is called the acute phase.

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• You want to offer support, but maybe you worry you’ve misread some signs and don’t want to offend them.
• Taking meth typically produces a rush of pleasurable feelings.
• At Healthgrades, our Editorial Team works hard to develop complete, objective and meaningful health information to help people choose the right doctor, right hospital and right care.
• Common meth withdrawal symptoms include night sweats, weight gain, fatigue, suicidal ideation, and drug cravings.
• If you’re worried that a loved one is using crystal meth (or any other substance), it’s important to address your concerns with them compassionately and avoid making assumptions.

You can try to anticipate the intensity of your symptoms based on your consumption patterns, but there’s no guarantee around how things will unfold. In 2020, about 1.5 million people in the United States over the age of 12 had meth use disorder. Meth produces more reward chemicals than your brain can fully handle. It sends your brain’s dopamine levels into the stratosphere, so to speak. 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. However, drug tests can detect even tiny amounts of meth, so you’ll need to wait much longer before you can test negative on a drug screening.

Does it interact with alcohol and other drugs?

There, you will likely participate in education sessions, individual and group counseling, and behavior therapies. The serious health risks of using meth are widely known, yet many people still experiment with the drug. The euphoric rush that causes so many to use methamphetamine is caused by the release of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Meth is more dangerous than other stimulants because a larger percentage of the drug remains unchanged in the body and stays present in the brain longer.

Meth Overdose Deaths in the U.S.

It is important to note that the length of time that symptoms persist can depend on the level of addiction a person experiences. For example, in more severe cases, symptoms of meth cravings can persist for at least 3 weeks. If you currently use meth and are thinking about stopping or reducing your usage, consider talking with your doctor. They will be able to advise on how to do this as safely as possible. They may also prescribe medications or refer you to a detox center to help you manage withdrawal symptoms. Health professionals may be able to treat some other side effects of meth, such as meth sores, meth mouth and thinning hair.

• According to MethProject.org, the meth addiction factor is extreme—it’s «one of the most addictive substances» out there today.
• Your doctor can help you find support resources in your area.
• Almost 2.5 million people in the U.S. aged 12 or older say they use meth every year.
• Meth causes your brain to release its stores of both these neurotransmitters, contributing to meth’s pleasurable effects.

Meth abuse can cause irreversible damage to blood vessels in the brain. Addiction to methamphetamine introduces its own dangers and exacerbates many others. If someone you know is exhibiting signs of meth abuse, it’s essential that you meth addiction communicate the importance of getting professional help. Inpatient rehabs, therapy, and support groups can all help individuals struggling with a methamphetamine addiction achieve and maintain sobriety. Inpatient or residential options involve you staying at a 24-hour facility with intensive professional care, including medical supervision.

The voucher’s monetary value increases the longer you go without using meth. Before you begin detox, you’ll undergo an initial assessment and screening tests for other medical conditions. Your doctor will use this information to help minimize your risk for drug interactions or other complications during detox. People who use meth often need a professional counselor or drug treatment program to help them get better. The powerful rush you get from using meth makes it easy to get hooked right from the start. When it’s used, dopamine floods your brain to boost feelings of pleasure.