Meth Abuse

The Dangers of Meth Abuse

Methamphetamine is one of the most harmful drugs on the market due to its immediate and severe effects on the user’s body and mind. The extreme psychological and physical toll taken on meth users has devastating consequences that make it impossible to lead a normal life. In the short term, the side effects of meth include insomnia, confusion, hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, erratic behavior, loss of appetite, and psychosis. High doses of the drug can cause convulsions and seizures, if not death. When meth is taken, it creates a false sense of well-being and fills the user with a feeling of euphoria that causes them to push their body past its physical limits. As a result, users often experience a severe crash after the drugs wear off which can result in a physical and/or mental breakdown.

In the long term, the use of methamphetamine can cause extreme physical and psychological devastation. Users may suffer significant brain damage, including memory loss, disorientation, apathy, depression, and an inability to comprehend abstract thoughts. Meth causes damage to the brain similar to Alzheimer’s disease, a stroke, or severe epilepsy. It also causes physical damage such as liver, kidney, and lung damage; respiratory problems; infectious diseases and abscesses; malnutrition; severe tooth decay; permanent damage to the blood vessels of the heart and brain; and high blood pressure leading to heart attacks, stroke, and death. From psychological dependence to physical disabilities, the effects of methamphetamine use are destructive and require immediate treatment.

Symptoms & Signs That You Need Help

There is no such thing as a safe level of methamphetamine use. If you ingest methamphetamine in any form and have a difficult time trying to abstain from it, it is recommended that you immediately seek treatment. If you believe someone you know is using meth and may have a drug abuse problem, look for the following side effects or signs of intoxication:

  • They are much more talkative than usual and display signs of hyperactivity.
  • They are visibly twitching, with facial tics or jerky body movements.
  • They display signs of paranoid thinking.
  • They have dilated pupils and/or rapid eye movements.
  • They have a significantly reduced appetite, accompanied by a noticeable and sudden weight loss.
  • They have skin sores, rotting teeth, or burns on their lips or fingers.
  • They have erratic sleeping patterns, increased agitation, and sudden outbursts or mood swings.

If one or more of these signs are present, it’s recommended that the abuser visit a treatment center to receive help for their addiction. Meth use has immediate side effects as well as long-term consequences, so overcoming it as soon as possible will help the abuser achieve a longer, healthier, and happier life.

How Twin Town Can Help

Methamphetamine abusers respond well to treatment, so taking the step to receive help at a treatment center can be a life-changing decision. If you or someone you know is ready to discuss treatment, Twin Town Treatment Center is here to help you. Here at Twin Town, we aid meth abusers in achieving long-term sobriety with the help of community-based drug abuse treatment. Community treatment programs have proven to be a highly effective method of achieving abstinence from drugs in methamphetamine users. According to one study by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 87 percent of patients who were treated for heavy or long-term methamphetamine abuse in California outpatient and residential programs remained abstinent from all drugs after nine months. By combining group therapy with sessions addressing mental health and psychosocial problems, we enable users to address the root of their addiction and take control of their life for the better. 

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