Methamphetamine is a dangerous, highly addictive stimulant. In fact, meth is man-made. Moreover, it’s regularly mixed with other substances. The effects of meth include both short and long-term health problems that are devastating families across the nation.
About Meth Abuse
When cooked, meth forms into rock-like crystals of white or blue color. Furthermore, people using the drug heat it and smoke it in a glass pipe. Some people crush crystal meth for snorting or injecting.
More than 1.2 million Americans over the age of 12 abused meth during 2008, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. As of 2011, over 12 million Americans claim to have used meth during their lifetime. About 25 million people abuse this powerfully addictive drug worldwide.
The reason why individuals pick up meth and use it the first time varies from person to person. However, the drug’s immediate, long-lasting high brings many people to its mercy. The drug travels quickly through the bloodstream from the lungs after smoking it. It reaches the brain and causes many short and long-term effects.
Short-Term Effects of Meth
Using crystal meth causes many side effects. Among these short-term effects of meth are severe anxiety, insomnia, and paranoia. For example, some people suffer thoughts of suicide or murder.
Meth is a stimulant, like cocaine. Therefore, its high provides almost immediate euphoria, high energy, and a sense of being very alert. These effects last much longer than many drugs like cocaine, for up to 12 hours.
Other short-term effects of meth include high motivation toward achieving goals and high self-confidence.
Meth also causes lost appetite, weight loss, sleep changes, mood swings, unpredictable behavior, tremors, convulsions, high blood pressure, and hyperthermia. In addition, meth increases your heart rate, also making it irregular.
Long-Term Effects of Meth
Using meth for a long period of time causes extreme physical and psychological problems. These effects of meth include intensity of the short-term effects explained above. Signs of long-term meth abuse include delusions, paranoia, hallucinations, depression, anxiety, and isolation. For example, people abusing meth for the long-term show other effects, including:
- Confusion, bizarre behavior
- Itchy, crawling skin
- Body sores from picking behaviors
- Breathing problems from smoking meth
- Blood vessel damage, including to your heart and brain
- Severe dental damage called “meth mouth”
- Stroke, coma, and death
Meth damages your body’s ability to heal itself, leading to acne and dull skin. The only way to prevent these effects of methamphetamine is to gain the drug treatment you need from a licensed rehab facility. Unfortunately, this also means you must undergo meth withdrawal, something many people using the drug dread. However, through the help of a treatment center, withdrawal from meth feels more comfortable, safe, secure, and bearable.
Proven Treatment You Need for Meth Recovery
In Havre de Grace, Maryland, Ashley Addiction Treatment provides inpatient and intensive outpatient treatment you deserve for lasting recovery from meth. This amenity-rich program helps you focus on what it takes to gain long-term sobriety. Moreover, programs at Ashley Addiction Treatment include:
- Inpatient drug rehab
- Relapse prevention plan
- Addiction counseling
- Individual, family, and group therapy
- Dual diagnosis treatment
If you or someone you love suffers meth addiction, call Ashley Addiction Treatment now at 866-313-6310. You can enjoy lasting recovery from drugs or alcohol through our proven programs.
