Methamphetamines
Methamphetamine is a highly addictive stimulant that affects the central nervous system. Crystal meth looks like glass or rocks, and it has a structure similar to amphetamines. Amphetamine was initially developed as a treatment for ADHD but can be used recreationally because of its effects on dopamine production in one’s brain.
When someone takes methamphetamines, they release artificially high amounts of dopamine in their brain. Dopamine causes people to feel an intense high and with time as well! Meth releases these artificial highs by flooding your head when you’re using it, which activates reward centers at once, making users want more drugs- especially if they aren’t fulfilled yet.
Effects of Meth
- High Energy
- Alertness
- Decreased Appetite
- Shallow Breathing
- Rapid Heart Rate
- Increased Blood Pressure
- Increased Body Temperature
Long-Term Side Effects
- Unhealthy Weight Loss
- Tooth Decay (“Meth Mouth”)
- Open Sores
- Itchiness
- Brain Damage
- Anxiety
- Delusion
- Memory Loss
- Insomnia
- Increased Aggression
- Paranoia
- Mood Swings
- Higher Risk for Infectious Diseases
How Long Does Meth Stay in Your System?
Users can feel the effects of meth rapidly after the drug is used, especially if it’s injected or smoked. As soon as this enters your bloodstream, you start to absorb it and feel it’s high right away. The half-life for an individual on methamphetamine lasts 12 – 34 hours, so even though they might not have a euphoric feeling long-term from using only one dose will last them up to 24 hours.
Meth Withdrawal
If you are addicted to meth, the cravings will be intense and uncontrollable. Users can’t stop using even when it causes them trouble in their life or damages the well-being of others around them. There may also come the point where they prioritize getting more drugs over everything else, which leads some people down an increasingly destructive path.
Withdrawal symptoms from Methamphetamine can be psychologically and emotionally debilitating, with physical effects that are more moderate.
Physical
- Extreme Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Dry Mouth
- Headaches
- Malnourishment
- Muscle Cramps
Psychological
- Depression
- Irritability
- Paranoia
- Low Energy
- Intense Drug Cravings
- Hallucinations
Meth Addiction Treatment
Detox
The first critical step to detoxing your body from meth is to seek help from an addiction specialist. After an initial assessment, they can refer you for treatment at one of the many specialized centers that provide customized programs based on individual needs and specific medical conditions, like hypertension or heart disease-related side effects.
It is important to taper off of meth rather than stop abruptly. Cold turkey detoxing can be extremely harmful in almost all cases because it causes severe withdrawal symptoms that could lead to relapse.
Psychotherapy
People who are addicted to meth often experience long-term withdrawal. To successfully overcome their addiction, they will need the help of a therapist and support groups or family education sessions as well. Therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can be used in conjunction with contingency management, which provides an incentive for drug abusers if they abstain from using any substances on their own terms during that time frame without penalty – this allows them to focus more energy on recovery efforts rather than worrying about what might happen should you relapse after all these years clean.
Medication
Withdrawal from methamphetamines is not easy, but it can be made more bearable with the proper medication. Benzodiazepines help relieve anxiety and irritability caused by withdrawal symptoms such as restlessness or insomnia. A doctor should only prescribe these drugs because they’re habit-forming over time, leading to addiction for some people. Antipsychotics also offer relief against physical discomfort when quitting cold turkey without sufficient substitutes like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), including ibuprofen, and other products available at your local pharmacy.
