Recognizing the signs of meth use is essential if you know someone who is abusing this deadly narcotic. Methamphetamines are highly addictive and come with a significant risk of relapse and overdose. In the U.S. studies have shown that methamphetamine use is on the rise in the U.S., with more reports of meth abuse in 2022 than in previous years.1 Fortunately, there are several ways that people addicted to meth can break their addiction safely and with minimal risks of relapse.
Outreach Recovery supports people from all walks of life who are abusing meth and need help in stopping the abuse. Our programs utilize cognitive-behavioral therapy and other holistic therapies to create a whole-person recovery experience. While participating in therapy sessions, patients will receive medication to ease withdrawals and cravings and any depressive or anxiety symptoms that are fueling the abuse.
To see how our meth addiction treatment program can help a friend or loved one, call 888.897.9284 today to begin a conversation.
The Dangers of Abusing Methamphetamines
Methamphetamine is a controlled stimulant that was originally developed to treat patients with ADHD. The addictive nature and potential for abuse made this drug too dangerous for normal use, and it is now listed as a Schedule II narcotic.
It is a stimulant that affects the central nervous system and causes an increase in alertness, attention, energy, and physical activity. It does this by raising your heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rates while releasing a massive amount of dopamine, which gives you pleasurable effects and a desire to use more. If they give in to that desire and take too much, it can lead to an overdose and death.
People who abuse meth for long periods of time will experience a number of long-term symptoms of meth use. These can include:
- Psychosis
- Changes in the brain structure
- Memory loss
- Significant cognitive disabilities
- Frequent aggression or violent behavior
- Dental decay
- Weight loss
At Outreach Recovery, we are well aware of the symptoms of meth use and work hard to help our patients break their addiction safely. We use a combination of therapies and medical support to create a comprehensive recovery program that promotes addiction education, healthy coping skills, and long-lasting sobriety.
3 Signs of Meth Use
Using methamphetamines is very dangerous and can lead to serious health complications, mental health decline, and a serious drop in quality of life. If you know someone who is abusing meth, you should be familiar with these and other signs of meth addiction:
1. Physical signs of abuse
Some of the clearest signs of meth addiction are the physical damage it leaves behind. Intravenous users will have puncture wounds and track marks on their arms and legs. To hide these signs, they will inject the drug between their fingers and toes. Other physical signs of meth use include dental decay, significant weight loss, and a decline in hygiene and physical appearance.
2. Behavioral changes
Abusing meth will affect your mental health and cognitive abilities. Depression and anxiety are common with drug addiction, as well as damaging the structure of the brain, which can lead to permanent brain damage. These changes will affect their behaviors and cause them to act differently. You may notice they are becoming more secretive or avoid answering questions about their actions. They may become more isolated and pull away from friends, family, and favorite activities. They can also become more aggressive and violent in order to continue using.
3. Other signs of meth use
Addiction can slowly destroy your life and hurt loved ones and friends. Other common symptoms of meth addiction include:
- Financial hardships
- Job loss
- Poor school performance
- Unable to handle personal responsibilities
- Legal consequences
- Homelessness
- Divorce/broken relationships
If you recognize any of these signs, the best course of action is to talk to them and help them realize the danger they are putting themselves in.
Find Meth Addiction Treatment Today at Outreach Recovery
Outreach Recovery is a full-service outpatient treatment center that treats all types of substance use disorders. Our first step in building a custom treatment plan is to run a full health assessment. We use this information to determine the best therapies and medication to use and to establish a plan of action in reaching your recovery goals.
If you recognize any of these meth use signs in a friend or loved one, call 888.897.9284 or use our online contact form to learn how you can help them begin a journey toward recovery.
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