10 Signs of Meth Addiction
What Are Some Signs of Meth Addiction?
Crystal meth, or just meth, are illicit stimulants that cause severe addictions and dangerous health effects. Users will experience intense euphoric and energizing highs, which can lead to repeated use and eventually addiction. Meth use triggers significant amounts of dopamine to be released in the brain’s reward system, and over time with continued abuse, it will cause changes to the dopamine system in the brain. This process can result in problems with memory, learning, and coordination. Individuals can develop substance abuse to meth quickly. The signs of meth addiction quickly manifest and are easy to spot.
Stimulant use disorder can cause several changes to a person’s personality and behavior. Often, addiction and drug dependency are used interchangeably. However, they are different. Dependence is usually referred to as physical dependence on a substance which symptoms of withdrawal and tolerance. While it is possible to develop physical dependence without becoming addicted, addiction is likely to create if dependency is not treated. Some signs a person has develops meth addiction include:
- Unable to cut down or quit despite wanting to
- Needing to take larger amounts of meth to get the same effect (developing tolerance)
- Cravings for meth
- Developing withdrawal symptoms when not using crystal meth
- Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
- Lowered performance at work or school, including repeated absences
- Spending a significant amount of time getting, using, and recovering from meth
- Continued use of meth despite negative consequences to relationships, health, and finances
- Using meth in dangerous situations, such as overdosing or driving under the influence
- Using more meth for longer periods of time
If two or three criteria are met, the person is considered to have a mild addiction to meth. Four or five criteria are considered moderate, while six or more are considered severe addiction. Meth addiction can also have severe mental and physical consequences, which may be permanent if not addressed quickly. You may also notice changes in their appearance, behavior, and personality.
Psychological Signs of Meth Addiction
Methamphetamine is toxic to the brain’s nerve terminals, which can permanently destroy cell synapses. Prolonged use causes brain chemistry changes, leading to psychological and behavioral changes. Individuals who are using meth are more likely to be:
- Easily annoyed
- Aggressive or violent
- Unpredictable
- Experience paranoia or hallucinations
- Outbursts or mood swings
- Being very alert or physically active
- Irritable
- Confused
- Memory problems
- Depression
Physical Signs of Meth Addiction
Meth also causes several physical changes in the person, either directly from the drug or due to behavioral changes, such as not taking care of hygiene due to drug use. Some of the most obvious signs of meth abuse are visible in the person’s appearance because it dramatically changes them physically with distinctive characteristics. Some visible signs of meth addiction include:
- Meth sores cause by picking at skin or hair (meth use can cause a feeling of itching or feeling something crawling under the skin)
- Premature aging
- Loss of appetite, which can lead to extreme weight loss
- “Meth mouth,” which is tooth decay caused by meth use
Physical signs are much more common in heavy users, and just because a person does not exhibit physical changes does not mean they are not using. Individuals with severe meth addiction are four times more likely to develop meth mouth and skin sores or infections from scratching. Meth mouth is more common in those who smoke it, and users who snort it are more likely to develop nasal damage, while those who inject meth are more likely to develop sores or infections.
Treatment Options for Meth Addiction
Long-term meth addiction can lead to severe health effects and even death. Getting help as soon as possible is critical for reversing the damaging effects of meth abuse and is more likely to lead to long-term recovery. Drug detox and rehab centers can offer the type of treatment needed to overcome the physical, psychological, and behavioral effects of substance abuse and addiction.
When it comes to effective drug addiction treatment, there is no one size fits all approach. Personalized treatment plans provide the best chance at long-term recovery and can comprise several levels of care depending on the individual case. However, meth addiction can quickly become severe, and most cases require intensive treatment, starting with drug detox and inpatient treatment. Treatment options available for meth addiction include:
Medical Detox: 24/7 medical care in a treatment facility to help you overcome withdrawals safely and comfortably through medication-assisted treatment. Often the best first step for successfully stopping meth abuse.
Residential Inpatient Treatment: a most intensive form of rehab which requires you to live at the treatment facility full time. Highly structured environments like inpatient treatment will allow you to focus fully on your recovery while eliminating outside triggers and the ability to use them.
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP): an intensive form of outpatient rehab that allows you to live at home or in a sober living facility. Usually, the next step down from inpatient treatment is to help you begin the transition back to the real world.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): a flexible outpatient program that allows you to schedule your addiction treatment around personal, work, or school obligations.
Addiction is a life-long journey; you will need to be active in your recovery through continued group and individual therapy sessions. Outpatient rehab can help you transition back into the real world, and aftercare programs can support your active recovery efforts. Alumni programs can also provide motivation and accountability for a lifetime.
Learn about the process after drug detox here:
Get the Help You Need Through Novo Detox
Novo Detox in Los Angeles, California offers personalized luxury medical detox services for all substance dependence and addiction, including methamphetamines. Patients receive customized medical detox programs based on their initial physical and psychological assessments, which include a Bio-Genetic metabolic profile. This profile helps our clinicians determine if you are a rapid, normal, or poor metabolizer and can administer the best medications to ease withdrawals based on your genetically inherited and acquired variations. Detox programs are designed to safely remove toxic substances from the body and ease withdrawal symptoms often experienced when stopping substance abuse.
Patients can detox in comfort, which adds to the success of their recovery. Our small 6-bed facility in the heart of Bel-Aire provides patients with greater privacy and individualized care. Medical staff are available 24/7 to monitor your vitals, ensure safety, and administer medications whenever withdrawal symptoms arise. Treatment programs at Novo Detox include cutting-edge science, proven detox medications, and holistic therapies. Part of our individual nutritional counseling includes organic, healthy chef-made meals and fresh vegetable and fruit juices and smoothies. We include several high-end amenities and services without sacrificing quality medical detox care.
After meth detox, you can easily transition into your residential inpatient rehab, which will address the underlying issues of your addiction while teaching several coping skills and tools needed for successful addiction management. Our personalized treatment programs will address every aspect of your addiction down to the smallest detail to help you achieve long-term recovery. You can also continue with outpatient levels of care with our partner rehab facilities.
If you or someone you love is struggling with meth addiction, please call us today at (844) 834-1777. We can answer any questions you may have or get you started on the admissions process today.
