Does Meth Cause Erectile Dysfunction?

Various individual motives can lead a person to try meth. Short-term meth sexual effects on men are one of the reasons many guys try and even get addicted to meth. Both women and men can experience some positive short term effects of meth on sex, but those quickly disappear and get replaced with negative meth sexual effects, one of which is especially worrisome for men. 

After continuous meth use and sexual dysfunctions, men start posing a question: does meth cause erectile dysfunction? With this text, we aim to explain the link between sexual functioning and meth and offer some insight into how meth affects erectile functioning. More than that, we would like to clarify additional meth use effects that can seriously impact sexual behavior and relationships. Finally, we want to share with you how to get rid of negative meth sexual effects and how to overcome your addiction. If you were typing “meth addiction treatment near me” in your search bar, you need to look no more. We Level Up Treatment Centers can help you make that first step to recovery and a prosperous life.

Understanding Meth Effects

Methamphetamine is a dangerous drug when used recreationally and illegally. Specifically, homemade meth and crystal meth can be particularly hazardous. That being said, methamphetamine is known to have numerous adverse effects on your mental and physical health, like many other illicit drugs.

Even in small doses, meth can increase wakefulness and physical activity and decrease appetite. Meth is known to cause a variety of cardiovascular problems, like rapid heart rate, irregular heartbeat, and increased blood pressure. It can also provoke significantly elevated body temperature and convulsions if one overdoses on it. If an overdose is not treated, a person might die. 

Some effects of using meth are to be expected quickly. Short-term health effects of using meth include:

• Increased blood pressure and body temperature.
• Faster breathing.
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat.
• Loss of appetite, disturbed sleep patterns, or nausea.
• Erratic, aggressive, irritable, or violent behavior.

If methamphetamine is continuously used, meth addiction is likely to occur. In addition to it, there are many long-term physical and mental health consequences. Chronic meth use has damaging effects even when people stop taking it. Some of the long-term health effects are:

One of the lesser talked-about side effects of meth in the system is related to sexual functioning and meth, or how it impacts your sex habits and sexual behavior. 

Seeking professional help sooner rather than later is crucial to avoid potential long-term effects and enhance overall health. Early intervention can significantly improve outcomes and prevent further damage. Reach out to We Level Up Treatment Centers for support to reclaim your life from meth addiction.

Sexual Functioning And Meth

The link between sexual functioning and meth is interesting and complex. Meth users may experience some positive meth sexual effects. However, a question often arising after prolonged meth use is, does meth cause erectile dysfunction? Meth sexual effects change over time: they start as positive contributors to one’s sexual life but quickly turn into a serious problem.

One of the short-term meth sexual effects on men is a boost in sexual pleasure. This can be attributed primarily to the fact that meth is a stimulant drug. As your body becomes more sensitive to stimulation and your brain receives a flood of neurotransmitters like dopamine, you may feel euphoric, which can carry into sex. As a result, most men report a more enjoyable sexual experience when they first use meth. Some meth users find that, at first, the drug enhances sex. But over time, meth’s sexual effects can be very damaging.

The powerful effects of meth on sex may play a vital role in addiction. Meth users enjoy more pleasurable sex and orgasms, encouraging them to continue using the drug. Meth may also temporarily help with sexual problems. 

Positive Meth Sexual Effects

Many people with methamphetamine addiction started using the drug because they sought its positive sexual effects. These meth sexual effects include:

• Increased libido.
• Stronger orgasms.
• Increased sexual pleasure.
• The ability of men to last longer.
• Increased feelings of sexual power and agency in women.

Negative Meth Sexual Effects

Sexual Functioning And Meth: Does Meth Cause Erectile Dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction (impotence) is referred to as the inability to get and keep an erection firm enough for sex. The burning question is: does meth cause erectile dysfunction? The answer is yes, it definitely does cause erectile dysfunction. 

To understand why does meth cause erectile dysfunction, we have to know how an erection works. An erection forms in the brain. An individual’s thoughts and the things they hear, smell, taste, or touch can trigger nerves to send chemical messages to the blood vessels in their penis. The arteries in this area then relax, opening up blood flow. At the same time, the veins close up, trapping the blood and creating an erection.

Because this forms in the brain, using a drug that affects brain function, chemical balance, and nerve signaling can make getting and holding an erection more difficult. Sex isn’t just physical, it’s also behavioral and emotional. When an individual uses a drug like meth, which can impair judgment and cause addiction, sexual intercourse can eventually be difficult.

Using meth also damages glands and blood vessels that help maintain an erection. Each hit of the drug damages the kidneys and liver, impeding the organs from removing the toxins from the body. With more of the drug present in the body, the brain receives a flurry of serotonin and dopamine. Once the user comes off of the drugs, the brain experiences a decrease in sensitivity and focus while testosterone levels decline, causing an estrogen surplus. With more estrogen present, the body cannot gain or maintain a proper erection.

Relationship Issues 

In addition to impotence, other meth sexual effects on males are connected to relationship problems. Physical and psychological transformations can make it more difficult to find a willing partner. 

A well-known adverse physical side effect of meth is skin sores and tooth decay (so-called meth mouth). Meth use can also cause substance-induced psychosis (a feeling of disconnection from reality) that makes a person feel like bugs are crawling on or under their skin. They’ll then excessively scratch themselves, leaving scabs and sores. Effects like these can also damage the meth user’s self-esteem and further deteriorate the quality of sex life.

Risky Behavior

Because meth use increases libido and impairs judgment, meth users may engage in compulsive, high-risk sexual activities. For instance, someone who usually only has sex with one person may seek out multiple sexual partners. Meth use also makes a person more likely to have unprotected sex. Therefore, they face a higher risk of sexually transmitted diseases, including Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV infection.

Treatment For Meth Addiction: Addressing Meth Sexual Effects

Meth should never be used to enhance sexual performance or for any other reason. This illicit drug is dangerous, addictive, and deadly. Not only can it affect your sexual life, but it can also contribute to mental illness and cause other problems like cardiovascular disease, skin disease, and overdose.

You have to overcome addiction to recover from meth’s long-term effects on sexual function. As long as your brain remains dependent on the drug, the drug may continue to affect your sexual life.

Steps to Take When Treating Meth Addiction

People who are unwilling to admit the extent of their meth-using problem often convince themselves they have everything under control. These high-functioning meth addicts keep their jobs and continue to take part in family and community activities. However, this doesn’t mean they don’t need help.

If you think that a loved one is abusing meth, you should:

• Research crystal meth and the addiction associated with it.
• Next, you must plan an intervention to provide your loved one with options to battle their addiction in a safe and supportive environment.
• During this intervention, make sure that you offer compassion instead of judgment and practical suggestions for addiction treatment centers that can help with this disease.
• Lastly, offer your support throughout the entire treatment process – from admission to aftercare. 

Prolonged meth use can have severe physical and psychological effects, so it is essential to seek treatment as soon as possible. Inpatient drug rehabs at We Level Up Treatment Centers offer intensive care that can help you or your loved one get through the early stages of withdrawal promptly. 

We Level Up Meth Treatment 

We Level Up treatment rehab and detox center can provide you, or someone you love, the tools to recover from meth addiction with professional and safe treatment. Our recovery programs are comprehensive and tailored to our client’s individual needs and circumstances. Our impeccable reputation guarantees that our services are some of the first online recommendations when you are looking for “meth addiction treatment near me”. 

All We Level Up substance abuse programs, you get safety, comfort, and supreme care for meth detox and treatment. You can expect medically-assisted detoxification, psychotherapy sessions, as well as dual-diagnosis treatments when needed. 

Medically-Assisted Detox

Medical detox is often considered the first stage of treatment. It will help you navigate the complicated process of withdrawal. Cravings are very common during detox and can be challenging to overcome. The licensed We Level Up staff can provide the necessary medication and medical expertise to lessen cravings and the effects of withdrawals. These intense cravings can lead to relapse, which is why relapse prevention is one of our main focuses. Constant medical care provided during inpatient treatment also helps prevent relapse by educating patients and offering peer support during treatment.

Please do not try to detox on your own. Getting through the detox process is crucial for continued treatment. However, detoxification can be painful and difficult without medical assistance.

We Level Up provides proper care with round-the-clock medical staff to medically assist your recovery. Opting for a residential treatment program also means maximum comfort and safety, 24/7 care and assistance, and peace that allows you to focus on yourself and your recovery.

Psychotherapy 

Although essential for the beginning of a treatment, medical meth detox doesn’t address patterns of thought and behavior that contribute to drug use. Various treatment approaches and settings can help provide the ongoing support necessary to maintain long-term sobriety after you complete detox. 

During your rehab, the psychotherapists from our treatment facility will help you identify what caused your addiction and teach you skills that will help you change your behavior patterns and challenge the negative thoughts that led to your addiction.

Sometimes, the pressures and problems in your life lead you to rely on substances to help you forget about them momentarily. In other cases, people had to endure physical, sexual, or emotional abuse in their childhood, which led them to seek a way out of trauma through drugs and/or alcohol. There are also situations where young people are just curious and think that addiction is something that happens to other people. Whatever the reason that took you here, rest assured that our professionals can approach it the right way and help you navigate through detox, treatment programs, and lasting recovery.

Several different modalities of psychotherapy have been used in the treatment of mental health disorders along with addiction, including:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment that involves changing both the patterns of negative thoughts and the behavioral routines that affect daily life. It starts with the identification and analysis of maladaptive thinking patterns; by changing them, maladaptive behaviors also change.
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a comprehensive mental health and substance abuse treatment program whose ultimate goal is to aid patients in their efforts to build a life worth living. The main goal of DBT is to help a person develop what is referred to as a “clear mind.” DBT teaches the importance of both acceptance and change and how to find a balance between them. 
• Person-centered therapy is a strategy that allows and encourages clients to understand and resolve their concerns in a safe, supportive environment.
• Solution-focused therapy is an approach that is interested in solutions that can be quickly implemented with a simple first step and lead to further positive consequences.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Having a mental health disorder, or mental illness, is common among individuals who abuse drugs or alcohol, meth in particular. This is known as having co-occurring disorders or a dual diagnosis. Living with a mental disorder and substance use disorder can affect the treatment and addiction recovery process. The most effective treatment for people with both a mental health disorder and substance use disorder (SUD) is dual-diagnosis treatment.

Dual diagnosis treatment handles both of these issues together. The best approach for the treatment of dual diagnosis is an integrated system. In this strategy, both the substance abuse problem and the mental disorder are treated simultaneously through a holistic approach. 

Seek Help for Sexual Functioning And Meth Addiction

It’s never easy to admit that you are struggling with drug addiction. When it comes paired up with sexual dysfunction, you might feel shame and discomfort. But taking that first step of seeking professional help can only bring positive changes.

Instead of wondering does meth cause erectile dysfunction, we urge you to seek help. Inform yourself, ensure support from your loved ones, and find professional assistance at We Level Up Treatment Centers that can tailor a recovery program specifically for you. Contact us for more information, advice, and recommendations on how to address sexual functioning and meth addiction. Our staff is very discreet, available 24/7, and can answer any question you might have.