Meth Symptoms of Addiction, Side Effects, and Withdrawal

Methamphetamine Statistics

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Meth Paranoia Symptoms (Signs And Symptoms Of Meth Use): Symptoms Of Meth Abuse

Picking at their skin causes ulcers, abscesses, or infections in about 31% of meth users overall; strong meth users are more than twice as likely to experience these problems.

What Causes Meth-Induced Psychosis and Who Is at Risk? Symptoms Of Someone On Meth (High On Meth Symptoms)

Meth is a stimulant substance that boosts dopamine production while also increasing brain activity. An imbalance results from elevated dopamine. The fast fluctuation in dopamine levels in the brain brought on by this chemical change might result in psychosis and severe mood swings.

The brain regions that control emotions and impulses including fear, anger, and fight-or-flight reactions are also affected by meth. Continuous meth use can overstimulate these regions of the brain, increasing paranoia or the need to engage in violent behavior. These urges and feelings are typical signs of amphetamine psychosis.

Meth abusers are in danger of experiencing meth psychosis. The stimulant is incredibly effective and can profoundly alter a person’s brain whether they use it at the same dosage for a prolonged period of time or start out at a high volume.

Symptoms Of Someone On Crystal Meth (Crystal Meth Symptoms): Symptoms Of Crystal Meth Use

Even if you are unfamiliar with crystal meth, you are definitely aware of the considerable health dangers, including addiction, that comes with its usage. It makes sense to feel anxious and eager to lend a hand when you have concerns for a loved one.

It might be difficult to discuss drug use with someone when you’re not certain if they need help. Though you may be concerned that you misread some cues and don’t want to insult them, you still want to offer support. Or perhaps you’re unsure that it’s appropriate for you to bring up the subject.

Whether it’s in made-up TV shows or the frequently seen “before and after” photographs showcasing missing teeth and facial sores, we’ve all seen how the media depicts those who use crystal meth. It is true that some people who use meth might experience a variety of obvious bodily symptoms, such as:

• Pupil dilation
• Quick, jerky eye movements
• Facial twitching
• Increased sweating
• High body temperature
• Jerky or twitchy body movements or tremors
• Decreased appetite and weight loss
• Tooth decay
• High energy and excitement (euphoria)
• Frequent scratching or picking at the hair and skin
• Sores on the face and skin
• Constant, rapid speech

Another mentioned may be severe headaches and trouble falling asleep. It’s crucial to keep in mind that each of these symptoms could also be caused by other disorders, such as untreated dental problems, skin conditions, anxiety, or other mental health difficulties. However, not all meth users exhibit these symptoms.

Meth Overdose Symptoms (Meth OD Symptoms): Symptoms Of Meth Overdose

Without the use of additional drugs, a meth overdose happens when a person consumes excessive amounts of the drug at once or over an extended period of time and develops a toxic response to it. Organ damage and potentially fatal cardiovascular events like a stroke and heart attack can arise from this reaction.

Mixing meth with other stimulants like ecstasy, cocaine, and amphetamines can result in similarly catastrophic cardiovascular problems. The adverse effects of taking meth and painkillers together can be more severe, unexpected, risky, and even lethal.

Meth, as previously mentioned, is a stimulant that activates the CNS, whereas opioids are depressants that slow down the CNS. Contrary to popular belief, mixing meth with opioids or other depressants such as alcohol or benzodiazepines does not neutralize the effects of the substances. In actuality, the opposite occurs. Combining the two medicines can change or even disguise the symptoms of one or both drugs, which may cause users to believe neither drug is having the desired effect and prompt them to take more of one or both drugs, which may result in an overdose.

Some might unintentionally combine meth and painkillers. As fentanyl looks like methamphetamine in powder form, it is frequently used to adulterate methamphetamine and other street narcotics. When someone unknowingly uses a substance they think is meth but is actually meth laced with fentanyl, they risk overdosing.

Understanding general warning signals can help you spot a potential overdose and get the person the treatment they need, even though the symptoms of a meth overdose—without the presence of additional substances—vary from one person to the next. Meth poisoning alone may show some symptoms, such as:

• Chest pains.
• A rapid increase in heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature.
• Kidney problems.
• Confusion.
• Altered mental status, including psychosis.
• Heart attack.
• Stroke.
• Circulatory collapse.
• Death

Overdoses with fentanyl (or another opioid) might result in death via sluggish or irregular breathing. It could be challenging to determine whether someone is high or suffering from an overdose when meth is consumed alongside another drug, whether purposefully or unintentionally.

Meth Withdrawal Symptoms (Crystal Meth Withdrawal Symptoms): Withdrawal Symptoms From Meth

Meth User Symptoms: Many persons may experience distinct acute and post-acute symptoms from methamphetamine withdrawal. A person’s route of administration, dose, drug purity, level of intoxication, prior withdrawal experiences, the length of time they took meth, their history of meth usage, and other considerations can all affect how severe and how long their meth withdrawal symptoms last.

Acute Withdrawal Symptoms Of Meth include:

• Fatigue.
• Anxiety.
• Irritability.
• Lack of energy.
• Weight gain.
• Dehydration.
• Chills.
• Insomnia followed by hypersomnia (sleeping too much).
• Dysphoria (low mood) could progress to clinical depression and suicidal thoughts.
• The inability to think clearly.
• Anhedonia (loss of ability to feel pleasure).
• Withdrawing from others.
• Drug cravings.

Meth withdrawal symptoms that are chronic and post-acute can include:

• Depression.
• Mood swings.
• Drug cravings.
• Loss of ability to experience pleasure.
• Psychosis.
• Suicidal thoughts/ideation.
• Fatigue and excessive sleepiness.
• Increased appetite.

During withdrawal, cravings may be intense and difficult to resist. This frequently results in a relapse or return to drug use. Although the symptoms of meth withdrawal might be very severe and unpleasant, they are usually not life-threatening.

Withdrawal Meth: You should educate yourself about meth withdrawal if you or someone you care about takes meth and wants to stop. Although medical detox can help you safely and more easily manage the withdrawal process, withdrawal can be difficult.

Meth Addiction Treatment & Detox: Meth Symptoms

• 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.

Meth Withdrawal Medications

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.

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.