Methamphetamine, or meth as it’s more commonly known, is a potent stimulant that is linked with high rates of addiction and abuse. Meth addiction has serious long-term effects on health including the possibility of death. Luckily, with knowledge and support, meth addiction is possible to overcome through treatment.
What is methamphetamine?
Methamphetamine is a central nervous system stimulant, which increases the speed and volume of activity in the nervous system. It is synthesized from amphetamine and was originally created to treat respiratory illnesses. However, it is now most often used in the treatment of disorders such as ADHD, obesity, and narcolepsy.
Outside of medical use, meth is also used illicitly to create a rush of energy and sense of well-being when injected or smoked. It is known by names such as crystal meth, crystal, ice, or glass due to its glass-like structure. It is the drug’s powerful high that makes it a Schedule II controlled substance by the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). This classification means that it has a high potential for abuse and dependence.
Meth is a potent stimulant, so it provides a rush of energy and sensations of pleasure and well-being. Some report that it increases their sociability. These effects are due to how meth affects the brain and nervous system. By increasing nervous system activity, meth also increases the amount of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is an important neurotransmitter that is linked to the sensation of pleasure. This reinforces meth use because people want the rush of dopamine.
Depending on how it is used, its effects may also come on quickly, creating a desirable pattern of instant gratification when used. For example, when meth is injected or smoked, a euphoric rush is felt almost immediately. The peak effects of the drug may fade quickly, leading to repeated use to maintain the feeling.
Meth abuse may result in many short-term side effects that involve basic bodily functions as well as psychological changes. These effects may persist for up to 12 hours after use, even after the euphoric high has faded. These short-term effects include:
- Decreased appetite
- Excessive sweating
- High blood pressure
- Dilated pupils
- Increased temperature
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Problems sleeping
- Dry mouth
- Dry skin
- Itchiness
- Dizziness
- Abnormal heart rate
- Elevated heart rate
- Compulsive behaviors
- Erratic or aggressive behavior
Unlike meth’s short-term effects, long-term effects of meth abuse and addiction may be irreversible. The likelihood and severity of these long-term effects increases with excessive and prolonged use. These include:
- Malnutrition
- Memory problems
- Cardiovascular issues like arrhythmias
- Weight loss
- Organ failure
- Tooth decay
- Skin sores from dryness and compulsive picking
- Respiratory issues such as perforated septum due to snorting
- Seizures
- Stroke or cardiac arrest
- Hyperthermia
- Track marks due to injecting
- Psychosis
- Severe withdrawal symptoms
- Death
Diagnostic criteria of meth addiction
Addiction professionals use an established criteria to determine whether meth addiction can be diagnosed under the category of stimulant use disorder. This diagnosis requires the presence of just two out of these symptoms over the course of a year:
- Taking higher doses of meth than intended or for longer periods
- Experiencing cravings for meth
- Spending more and more time obtaining, using, or recovering from meth use
- Attempting and failing to quit using meth
- Neglecting social and professional duties
- Continuing to use meth despite its negative effects on physical and mental health
- Continuing to use meth despite interpersonal problems it may cause
- Losing interest in pleasurable activities outside of meth use
- Meth use in risky or hazardous situations such as while operating a vehicle
- Tolerance, which means the same amount of meth no longer has the same effect
- Withdrawal symptoms that occur when meth use is reduced or discontinued
Non-diagnostic signs and symptoms of meth use
Other behavioral, physical, or psychological signs not used in diagnosing meth addiction may indicate that someone is abusing the drug. These signs include:
- Sudden inexplicable changes in sleep patterns
- Excessive scratching or skin picking
- Burns on fingers or lips
- Sudden weight loss
- Excessive energy not attributable to other causes
- Aggressive behavior
- Erratic behavior
- Incoherent or disorganized speech; rambling
- Isolation from social support system
- Mood swings
- Tics or erratic bodily movements
- Track marks from injecting
Risks of methamphetamine use
Stimulants like meth put severe and unnatural stress on the heart and other organs such as the kidney and liver. This puts meth addicts at risk of severe health problems including severe organ damage or organ failure as well as cardiac problems due to continuous meth use.
Psychologically, meth can have severe degenerative effects on cognitive functions like memory and learning that can worsen over time. Meth can also affect emotional control leading to prolonged symptoms of anxiety or psychosis including hallucinations and delusions. Motor control may also be affected with long-term meth use, creating symptoms that resemble Parkinson’s.
In addition to these direct detrimental effects of meth use, the drug can also have indirect risks. These include the risk of accident or injury as well as the risk of contracting illnesses like HIV or Hepatitis due to shared needles.
Meth overdose
Meth overdose is dangerous and potentially deadly because of how the stimulant acts on major bodily systems. Hyperthermia is possible due to dangerously high body temperature. The stress on the heart and organs may also lead to stroke or organ failure. As such, potential methamphetamine overdose should be treated immediately by medical professionals. Some signs of meth overdose include:
- Confusion
- Hallucinations
- Fever
- Nausea or vomiting
- Panic and anxiety
- Tachycardia
- Tremors
- Stomach cramps
- Increased breathing rate
Meth withdrawal
When the body becomes accustomed to the chemical effects of methamphetamine and the drug is suddenly eliminated, it’s common to experience withdrawal symptoms. These may range from unpleasant to dangerous side effects that occur while the body re-adjusts to the chemical change and the sudden drop in nervous system activity. These withdrawal symptoms include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Psychosis
- Fatigue
- Dry mouth
- Headaches
- Muscle spasms
- Sleep problems
- Cravings
The importance of medical detox for meth addiction
The distressing withdrawal symptoms make it difficult for people to stop using once they are physically dependent because they are so unpleasant. For people who have been using methamphetamine or other drugs for prolonged periods, withdrawal may be more severe. This is why addiction professionals recommend medical detox. During medical detox, individuals are able to recover under constant medical supervision which can help alleviate withdrawal symptoms and safely eliminate meth from the body. Medical detox typically precedes a comprehensive addiction treatment program that also involves therapy.
Meth addiction FAQs
How long do meth withdrawal symptoms last?
Meth withdrawal can last a week or more, though withdrawal symptoms typically peak within one or two days after meth is discontinued. The exact duration of withdrawal depends on the severity and length of use.
Can I become addicted to methamphetamine if it was prescribed by a doctor?
Even though methamphetamine has FDA-approved and off-label medical uses, it is possible to become addicted to a drug that has been prescribed by a doctor. If you are experiencing symptoms of addiction, you should contact your doctor to adjust your prescription.
Are there medication-assisted treatments for meth addiction?
Methamphetamine does not have a replacement substance that is used to help individuals withdraw. However, medications may be administered to alleviate withdrawal symptoms such as insomnia and anxiety.
