The Signs & Symptoms of Meth Use

Methamphetamine addiction is a serious substance use disorder that wreaks havoc on your health, relationships, and life. It’s a dangerous drug that leaves thousands of overdose deaths in its wake each year. That doesn’t include deaths linked to long-term meth abuse like heart attacks, AIDS, and suicide. If you’re worried that a loved one is showing meth addiction signs, don’t wait to get help.

Signs of Meth Use in Your Loved One

There are several behavioral and physical signs of meth use to observe if you’re worried that your loved one is using meth. Some of these signs are physical, like a decline in appearance. There are also several psychological and behavioral symptoms of meth addiction. You may find paraphernalia used to take meth as well.

Physical Meth Addiction Symptoms

Methamphetamine abuse takes its toll on your body. If you think your loved one is using meth, look for these physical symptoms of meth abuse:

Shaking and trembling
Seeming “antsy”
No longer sleeping as much as they used to
Quick weight loss
Hair loss
Sores on their face and body
Decaying teeth (also known as “meth mouth”)
Skin isn’t as elastic as it once was
Lack of hygiene
Dilated pupils

Meth Paraphernalia

Another sign of meth use and addiction is finding tools commonly used to take or cook meth. Some of these include:

Straws that are cut
Plastic bags
Razor blades
Needles
Tourniquets
Metal wool
Paperclips
Dirty rags
Bunsen burners or lighters
Pots, glass pipes, and burnt spoons, bottle tops, or foil (to cook crystal meth)

Behavioral Meth Addiction Symptoms

Meth abuse changes your brain. It interferes with chemicals responsible for mood, motivation, movement, attention, and memory. This puts you at risk for symptoms of some mental illnesses and other behavioral health deficits.

Meth hijacks your brain, making it think it needs meth to survive. Your brain begins relying on meth to produce even normal levels of natural chemicals. This can spark drug-seeking behaviors to get more meth whatever means necessary.

Behavioral meth addiction signs/symptoms sometimes include:

Erratic sleep patterns
Mood swings
Paranoia and confusion
Withdrawal from interpersonal relationships
Neglecting or quitting work or school
Exhibiting symptoms of depression or anxiety disorders
Irritability
Agitation or angry outbursts
Hyperactivity

What Are the Short-Term Effects of Meth Abuse?

Meth users take the drug to feel pleasure, but after you abuse meth for a while, it becomes harder to achieve the same high. You need to start taking increasing amounts of meth to feel high and eventually, to just keep withdrawal symptoms at bay.

Short-term effects of meth addiction may include:

Inability to sleep
Euphoria
A “rush” followed by a “crash”
Irregular or fast heartbeat
Increase in activity
Poor appetite
High body temperature
Rapid breathing
Increase in alertness and attention

Short-term effects of meth can also include meth withdrawal. This happens when you’ve developed a chemical dependency on drugs or alcohol and go without the substance. You’re not just using it recreationally at this point, you’re addicted to meth.

Meth withdrawal symptoms can include:

Nausea
Anxiety
Restlessness
Psychosis
Cravings for sugar and carbs
Irritability
Depression
Fatigue
Nightmares

What Are the Long-Term Effects of Meth Abuse?

Methamphetamine addiction can have serious consequences. Because of the way meth impacts the central nervous system and circulatory system, people who are addicted to methamphetamines are at risk for:

Changes in brain chemicals and structure
Heart problems
Dental decay (meth mouth)
Repetitive movements
Problems with motor skills and memory
Blood vessel damage
HIV from injecting the drug with used needles
Infections from burning the skin or injecting meth
Psychosis (paranoia and delusions)
Mental health conditions like depression and anxiety
Symptoms similar to bipolar disorder
Aggressive or violent behaviors
Suicidal ideation
Parkinson’s Disease and early onset stroke

Don’t Wait to Get Help

It’s scary to watch a loved one ruin their life over meth. Please know that there’s still hope for your loved one. With the right treatment program, determination, and support, recovery from substance abuse is possible. We can help. Vogue’s addiction treatment centers are accredited and known for evidence-based, engaging care that works.

Features of meth addiction treatment include:

Individual, group, and family therapy
Medical detox for drug addiction and alcohol addiction
Holistic approaches like yoga, EMDR, and art therapy
Treatment for co-occurring disorders like anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and personality disorders
Experienced and credentialed behavioral and medical professionals
Partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, outpatient, and inpatient programs
Thorough continuing care planning
Alumni program

We take most insurance plans, and our admissions process is simple and stress-free. Call us today for a free, confidential consultation.

References

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