Methamphetamine (meth) is a drug that has led to widespread addiction problems in many places. The drug is a powder that is also sometimes made into pills or a clear rock (crystal meth). It is made in laboratories, both in large quantities and in smaller amounts, which is done using over-the-counter ingredients such as pseudoephedrine, a common cold medicine ingredient. Methamphetamine is a Schedule II drug, which means that it is only legally available through a single prescription, due to its highly addictive qualities. It’s a stimulant that can have a range of effects, including mood, energy levels, and focus.
Meth may be swallowed, snorted, injected, or smoked. Smoking and injection result in a faster effect but it also doesn’t last long, which can lead to people taking more of it.
How Methamphetamine Affects Your Brain
Drugs affect the way that your brain works and can have not just short-term but also long-term and permanent effects on your brain. The neurons in your brain are affected by drugs, influenced by chemicals called neurotransmitters. One example of a neurotransmitter is dopamine, which is a chemical released when we participate in enjoyable or pleasurable behaviors. Repeatedly using drugs such as meth affects how the dopamine system in the brain works. It can cause the person to find it difficult to find pleasure in everyday activities, leading them to continue taking drugs so that they can get a dopamine hit.
Taking methamphetamine may cause a high, but there is also an after-effect on the brain. After “crashing”, the person can then feel down for days or even longer. They will also feel a craving to take the drug again so that they can try to lift their mood again.
Methamphetamine Effects on the Body
As well as affecting the brain, meth has an effect on the body. There are both short-term effects from taking the drug and long-term effects that can result from taking it repeatedly and addiction. In the short term, some of the effects can include having a lot of energy, a fast heart rate, high blood pressure, high temperature, and feeling a sense of euphoria.
Long-term, taking meth can have a variety of effects on the body, even after the person is no longer taking it. These can include mental and emotional problems, including addiction, mood swings, anxiety, paranoia, psychosis, and problems with memory, controlling emotions, and thinking. Other symptoms can include problems sleeping, dental problems, violent behavior, skin sores, and more.
It is also possible for methamphetamine use to lead to death. One of the things that meth can do is raise your body temperature. If your temperature is high enough that you pass out and don’t receive treatment right away, it can cause death. Methamphetamine use can also lead to cardiac events such as heart attacks and strokes due to increased heart rate and blood pressure, and constricted blood vessels. Another problem is that meth can be mixed with other ingredients, which makes it cheaper to make. Fentanyl, an opioid, is sometimes added to meth, and this causes many deaths associated with the drug.
Methamphetamine and Addiction
Methamphetamine is a very addictive drug. It will cause withdrawal symptoms such as trouble sleeping, tiredness, anger, anxiety, depression, and strong cravings. One of the issues with the drug is that it leads to tolerance when the person taking it needs to keep taking it more and more in order to get the same high as when they first started taking it. People will then often start to smoke or inject the drug for a quicker and stronger high. Intravenous drug use also comes with its own risks, such as a higher risk of contracting HIV and other illnesses like hepatitis.
Treatment for Methamphetamine Addiction
Methamphetamine addiction can have serious consequences for your health, relationships and overall quality of life. The good news is that recovery is possible with the right support and treatment plan. Understanding the different types of treatment available is an important first step. Whether you need the structure of inpatient care, the flexibility of outpatient treatment or the middle ground of partial hospitalization or intensive outpatient treatment, there is a program that can be tailored to meet your needs. Recovery from methamphetamine addiction is not a one-size-fits-all journey. The most effective treatment plans address both the physical and psychological aspects of addiction, providing a strong foundation for long-term sobriety. With the right combination of medical support, therapy and community, lasting recovery is within reach.
Ready to Take the First Step Toward Recovery?
If you or a loved one is struggling with methamphetamine addiction, Evolve Indy is here to help. Contact our team today to learn more about our methamphetamine addiction treatment programs, including inpatient care, partial hospitalization and outpatient options. We will work with you to find a program that fits your lifestyle and budget, with flexible payment plans available.
Why Choose Evolve Indy?
At Evolve Indy, our addiction specialists have extensive experience treating methamphetamine addiction. We take a personalized approach to treatment, crafting care plans that address your unique needs and circumstances. From your first consultation to your last day of treatment, our compassionate team will be by your side every step of the way. We are committed to making quality addiction treatment accessible with flexible payment options that work for you.