Methamphetamine, or meth, is a highly addictive stimulant substance that affects the central nervous system (CNS). The CNS controls speech, walking, blinking, breathing, perceptions, emotions, and thoughts. That is why someone on meth will have trouble talking, walking, and thinking clearly. They may also seem to have extreme emotional responses and mood swings. Methamphetamine was once widely and legally available in tablet and injectable forms throughout the US. However, a large population abused these products for the stimulant effects; this prompted the FDA to restrict and regulate the drug as a Schedule II controlled substance in 1970.
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What Does Meth Look Like?
Meth is a crystalline powder that is most commonly white, though it can also be yellow, pink, or brown. It is odorless, bitter, and dissolvable in liquid.
How is Meth Used?
It’s most commonly consumed via smoking, snorting, or injecting. Many times individuals will mix meth with other drugs like heroin, marijuana, alcohol or Xanax to counteract the extremely stimulating effects of methamphetamine.
Street Names For Meth?
Commonly used street names or slang terms for Meth Include the following:
- Glass
- Speed
- Ice
- Crystal
- Crank
- Tweak
- Chalk
How is Meth Used?
Meth can be taken orally, smoked, snorted or injected with a needle intravenously. Smoking meth is the most common way meth users ingest the drug. Smoking meth is the easiest way to use it and it actually has effects that are similarly as potent as injecting it which is not the case with other drugs. Many times meth is mixed with other substances like MDMA or heroin to enhance the effect of other drugs.
How Is Meth Smoked?
Meth can be smoked without having to change it or make it into powder. The hydrochloride salt of methamphetamine can be smoked directly, without having to add it to something else or change its form. When meth is smoked is known as crystal meth or “ice” as it looks like blue-white rocks.
How Is Meth Injected?
The process for shooting meth is similar to heroin. Users typically mix the crystals with a little bit of water until it dissolves. They then put cotton into the water and extract the substance into a needle. This form of abuse can leave users at risk of HIV and other contagious diseases.
Why Is Meth So Addictive?
When people use meth, they feel:
- More sociable
- More talkative
- Increased energy and become more active
- Less inclined to eat, making weight loss easy
- Euphoric
- A sense of well-being
When injected or smoked, the effects happen quickly but are short-lived. When snorted or taken orally, the euphoria happens within several minutes but is not nearly as intense.
As a person uses meth, it has an intense effect on dopamine, a chemical that affects the pleasure center of the brain. As the usage continues, the brain cannot make the dopamine until more meth is ingested. This creates a cycle of increased usage, an increase of the amount abused, and struggles to get the same high as they used to.
Long-Term Effects Of Meth Use
Abusing methamphetamines is detrimental to your physical health. The substance changes your brain in ways that may not be completely reversible. Effects of chronic meth abuse include:
- Aggressive and violent behavior
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Cardiovascular problems (heart attacks, irregular heartbeat, palpitations)
- Increased risk for HIV and hepatitis for those who inject meth
- Memory loss
- Mood swings
- Malnutrition
- Lung problems for those that smoke meth
- Seizures
- Sores on the skin
- Loss of teeth and gum damage
Methamphetamine: Frequently Asked Questions
Signs And Symptoms Of A Meth Addiction
As with any substance, there are signs and symptoms of a meth addiction to look out for. These include:
- Excessively chatty
- Strong cravings for meth
- Extreme weight loss
- Unable to stop using meth
- Mood swings
- Avoiding hobbies that once brought pleasure
- Excessive scratching at the skin that causes sores
- Unusual aggressive behavior
- Burns on fingers and lips from smoking meth
- Nosebleeds from snorting
- Track marks from injecting meth
- An unreasonable amount of energy
- Isolating from family and friends
- Dilated pupils
Meth Addiction Treatment & Rehab
Inpatient rehab for meth use is a great way to separate yourself from the substance while also receiving medical care, therapy, and clinical services to help reset your life. Exceptional treatment that is focused on getting to the core of the matter is one of the ways many individuals can recover from meth addiction. Each patient is a part of creating their addiction treatment plan so that we meet their individual needs. We offer aftercare planning and alumni support as they move through our programs. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help.
Get Help for Meth Addiction Today
If you are struggling to stop using methamphetamines, residential drug and alcohol treatment may be the best option.
Without a group of people to function as a support system and a structured program to develop coping skills, the methamphetamine rehabilitation process will be much more difficult.
Fortunately, our rehab programs help you create this support network and provide the necessary tools for sustained recovery. If you or a loved one have an addiction to meth, you can start the admissions process today.
