By We Level Up Treatment Center | Editor Yamilla Francese | Clinically Reviewed By Lauren Barry, LMFT, MCAP, QS, Director of Quality Assurance | Editorial Policy | Research Policy | Last Updated: March 6, 2023

Methamphetamine Statistics

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What Percentage Of Meth Addicts Recover? Meth Addiction Recovery Rates: Addicted to Meth

The statistics on treating meth addiction are similar to those for treating all other addictions. The physical dependence on meth is eliminated during a week of detox, leaving the addict with the disease of addiction. Being a persistent, recurrent mental illness, meth has relapse rates that are equivalent to those of other chronic diseases like hypertension.

The recovery rate for meth is between 40 and 60 percent over the first year of therapy. Even while the meth recovery rate may seem low, it’s essential to understand that because the disease is chronic and relapsing, it may take several treatment attempts before the condition is ultimately under control, according to government groups like the National Institute on Drug Addiction.

Meth Addicts Before And After (Meth Sores Pics): Pics Of Meth Sores – Meth Face Sores

Methamphetamine use and addiction are significant problems in the United States. More than 14.7 million people have tried meth, and over 100,000 people are now suffering from an addiction to it. Meth is one of the illicit narcotics that is most commonly used worldwide, especially in the Midwest of the United States. It is a stimulant that is far more addictive than opioids and is causing more of a problem. Meth use can cause people to undergo significant changes. In 2005, the cost of methamphetamine abuse in the United States was about $23.4 billion.

Long-term use of methamphetamine abuse can wreck a person’s life. The substance causes serious health issues, restrictions, and failure to keep personal commitments. The apparent deterioration in a person’s physical appearance is the most notable development. The effects can make people invisible and are unsettling.

High-Functioning Meth Addict

Because of their preconceived ideas about what addiction is, people struggle to understand what it’s like to be a productive meth addict. A meth addict who is still abusing the substance frequently can start the day by using it and continue to do so frequently all day.

Being a stimulant, meth increases a person’s vigilance and energy, allowing them to focus on their responsibilities even while they are high. Like many functioning addicts, a meth addict who is high functioning may have a solid educational background and a respectable job. They may be effective as well as able to work when under the influence of drugs. Functional meth addicts may be able to maintain a comfortable living and happy relationships with their loved ones in spite of their drug problems.

They would still go to their kids’ soccer games and engage in social events. They have frequent accountability instead of tense relationships or run-ins with the law.

Meth mouth, often known as poor oral health or tooth decay, is one of the most common signs of meth addiction. Although meth mouth is usually referenced in relation to methamphetamine addiction, this type of functioning addict may not necessarily have it. Addicts to methamphetamine who have great levels of care may also maintain excellent oral hygiene. This may make it difficult to identify their drug use.

There is no doubt that functional addiction exists, yet even a high-functioning addict will experience some side effects from continued meth use. Drug use affords them the temporary ability to function and maintain a certain façade. Another consequence of being a high-functioning addict is the conviction that one is essentially immune to or an exception to the dangers of addiction. This is absolutely not true. Like with other narcotics, continued drug abuse can eventually result in dangerous and life-threatening problems.

What Are Meth Sores?

Meth sores can appear as tiny, oblong red areas on your skin. When they occur on the face or other parts of the body, they are frequently mistaken for a rash or acne. Heavy meth use leads to the development of meth sores. When sores are prone to appear, there are additional indications of meth usage, such as:

• Weight loss  
• Paranoia 
• Hallucinations 
• Cognitive decline
• Aggressive behavior 
• Being easily distracted 
• Tooth and gum decay 
• Changes in brain structure 

Meth sores might initially resemble any other sore, such as a typical cold sore. Even some individuals compare the way meth sores appear on the face to acne. But, if meth addiction is present, any open sores that develop on specific areas of the face or body are probably caused by meth use.

They pick and scratch at meth sores because they are so uncomfortable. When this occurs, they more closely resemble an open sore and are more susceptible to infection. A pus-filled blister may form on an infected lesion. It’s possible for the sores to turn brown and scab over as they recover.

What Causes Meth Sores? Why Does Meth Cause Sores? What Causes Meth Mouth Sores?

It is unlikely that occasional usage of the drug will result in meth sores. Yet, it’s important to be aware that while meth usage on occasion might not result in meth sores, it might raise blood pressure, create appetite loss, and make it difficult to fall asleep. Moreover, meth is a highly addictive substance, so even infrequent usage can quickly lead to dependence. Meth sores can develop in those who are dependent on the drug for a few different reasons. Here is a list of these causes.

Why Do Meth Addicts Have Sores? Skin Picking 

Meth users’ propensity to pick at their skin is a major contributing factor. A common adverse effect of amphetamine use is skin plucking. However, due to their frequently severely weakened immune systems, they frequently scratch at sores on their skin.

Hallucinations or dry skin are two causes of skin plucking. Meth mites are a condition that some meth users encounter. Meth users may have meth mites, a delusion that something resembling mites is crawling beneath their skin, usually on their face and neck.

A person experiencing this hallucination may also perceive bugs crawling on their skin when none are actually there. They will scrape or scratch at their skin, often to the point where sores develop, in an attempt to feel some relief from the creeping sensation. They are also referred to as ice mites or meth bugs. Formication is a type of hallucination experienced by meth addicts.

Why Do Meth Heads Have Sores? Sweat

Sweat is another typical factor. Meth users are likely to sweat out the deadly substance. As a result, sweat damages their skin and may lead to sores. Meth sores can form as a result of this mixed with poor personal cleanliness, which many people who are dependent on meth frequently practice.

Why Do Meth Users Have Sores? Meth Pipes

Meth sores are more prone to develop around and within the mouth in pipe smokers due to burns from the pipe. These burns leave behind severe blistering sores and take longer to heal.

How To Treat Meth Sores? Meth Sores Treatment (Treating Meth Sores): How To Get Rid Of Meth Sores?

How To Heal Meth Sores? Meth sores do not have a specific therapy. The course of treatment is the same as for other open sores that can develop on your skin. Yet treating meth addiction comes before treating meth sores. The sores won’t heal if the underlying addiction isn’t treated right away.

Moreover, severer problems than sores might result from long-term meth addiction. Long-term meth use has been associated with hallucinations, anxiety, cognitive deterioration, and paranoia. Long-term drug usage can result in some permanent harm that can potentially lower life expectancy.

It can be challenging to get meth addiction treatment. The first step is admitting that you require assistance and asking for it. The normal course of treatment includes both medication and behavioral therapy. You can choose to get this care at home under physician supervision or in a local rehabilitation facility.

Home Remedies For Meth Sores: Meth sores will ultimately go away by themselves, especially after you stop using them. To assist treat the infection and speed up the healing process, your doctor may advise oral or topical antibiotics if they have become infected.

Meth Addiction Treatment

• Risk assessment for medical and mental health issues. Medical supervision can help someone stay safe because meth withdrawal might cause extreme depression or suicidal thoughts.
• Supplying framework and assistance. This can aid in a person’s recovery and help them become ready for additional therapy.
• Removing a user of meth from their environment. This can lessen cravings brought on by environmental cues that might trigger a relapse.
• As necessary, offering dietary assistance. Someone who is battling with meth addiction may need support, such as larger or high-calorie meals, electrolyte supplements, or contact with a food professional. Meth consumption has been linked to weight loss and inadequate nutrition.

As was already said, after completing detox, patients may enroll in inpatient rehabilitation or outpatient therapy. Several behavioral therapies used in professional treatment can offer a number of advantages, including:

• Helping a patient learn ways to prevent relapse.
• Teaching a patient healthier coping and stress management skills.
• Helping a patient uncover and work through the underlying reasons they developed an addiction in the first place.

Inpatient rehab offers the additional benefit of round-the-clock supervision and assistance to help patients be safe and take care of any co-occurring problems that may develop. If a person has co-occurring psychiatric disorders or life-threatening medical issues, this additional help may be very important.

A person who is addicted to methamphetamine may benefit from the following behavioral therapies:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). This aids patients in recognizing negative or unhealthy attitudes and behaviors that fuel their substance usage and helping them modify them. According to some studies, CBT and contingency management are particularly effective in treating amphetamine addiction.
• Contingency management (CM). When someone demonstrates a desired behavior (like passing a drug test), it offers concrete rewards; however, if the desired behavior is not demonstrated, the reward is withheld.

Making ensuring a patient gets enough food and exercise during detox and throughout all phases of treatment is crucial for keeping them healthy as they recover.

Can You Die From Meth Withdrawal?

It’s important to keep in mind that while meth withdrawal might be challenging and uncomfortable, it is not a life-threatening condition. Fatigue, anxiety, and depression are among the symptoms of meth withdrawal that are most common. Even while these symptoms may be unpleasant, they are not harmful.

You can get through meth withdrawal and start down the road to recovery with the right help and direction. Please get professional treatment if you or someone you know is battling meth addiction. There is no shame in requesting assistance. Recall that meth addiction is a serious illness that necessitates medical attention.

Medication For Meth Addiction

Meth withdrawal (Meth Withdraws) can neither be treated with drugs nor can stimulant use disorder be treated with drugs that have FDA approval. If a person undergoes medically supervised detox, they could be given additional medications to treat some of the withdrawal symptoms they might experience, such as headaches or insomnia.

How To Help A Meth Addict? How To Help Meth Addicts?

You must strike a balance between acknowledging their plight and urging them to get assistance if you want the greatest outcomes. Consider these actions to assist your loved one as a guide for your procedure.

1. Learn about the condition
2. Decide if you will address your loved one’s addiction
3. Start the conversation
4. Make yourself a priority

We Level Up Dual Diagnosis Treatment

The definition of dual diagnosis (also referred to as co-occurring disorders) can differ between institutions. However, it is generally described as the specific treatment of someone who has been diagnosed with a substance use disorder and a mental health disorder at the same time. Treating dual-diagnosis clients is a critical aspect of our inpatient treatment experience because co-occurring disorders are strongly correlated with instances of substance abuse.

Creating a treatment plan that addresses the physical aspects of withdrawal, the psychological connection with drug use, and managing underlying mental health disorders is part of setting clients up for success.  A thorough mental health analysis identifies possibilities for treatment.  Meeting with mental health counselors and medical care providers means access to behavioral therapy and medication treatment. At our dual diagnosis treatment center, We Level Up can implement the highest quality of care. 

We recognize the fragile complexities of how mental and substance abuse disorders can influence others and sometimes result in a vicious cycle of addiction.  That’s why we offer specialized treatment in dual-diagnosis cases to provide the most excellent chance of true healing and long-lasting recovery.

It can be challenging to accept that you may be living with a mental illness, but once it is properly diagnosed and treated, treating the presenting case of substance abuse can be magnitudes easier. Only a properly trained medical professional can diagnose these underlying conditions.  If you believe you are suffering from a disorder alongside addiction, we urge you to seek a qualified treatment center to begin your journey to recovery. Call We Level Up today.