On account of the addictive effects that any illegal drugs provide, those that start experimenting with it find yourself chasing and becoming depending on the high. A notorious drug that possesses such effect is methamphetamine—also often known as meth or crystal, amongst many other street names.
Meth can have mental, physical, and emotional consequences to the user. That’s why when an individual is already hooked on this substance, their life begins to collapse in the end. Fortunately, knowing the symptoms of meth addiction use can assist you to discover someone you recognize or love who’s beginning to get addicted on meth, allowing you to manage or manage their drug dependency before it spirals uncontrolled.
What’s methamphetamine?
Before knowing the symptoms of meth use, it’s first vital to know the character of the drug itself. Methamphetamine is a stimulant drug. The Drug Enforcement Agency considers meth a Schedule II controlled substance. Because it’s a controlled substance, doctors can legally prescribe meth to treat ADHD and obesity, however the prescription can’t be refilled.
On account of its addictive nature, around 2 million people were reported to make use of meth in 2019. The report further clarifies that around 1.7 million persons are aged 26 or older, 275,000 are aged 18–25 years old, and 41,000 are aged 12–17 years old. (1)
4 Alarming Symptoms of Meth Use
As you may see, any age group can get hooked on meth. Fortunately, like all other drug addiction, there’s still all the time hope. So if you wish to know easy methods to get meth out of your system quick otherwise you noticed the signs and symptoms in this text, don’t hesitate to call an expert immediately.
1. Behavioral changes
Experts agree that usually introducing your body to meth will lead to behavioral changes. As an illustration, it’s common for meth-dependent individuals to experience unusual euphoria or exhibit signs of violence and aggression. Some users even point to the indisputable fact that they experience psychosis.
Listed below are the symptoms of behavioral changes, especially psychosis, as a consequence of meth use:
- Each visual and auditory hallucinations
- Delusions
- Irritability
- Paranoia (2).
2. Changes in physical appearance
Amongst other highly addictive and dangerous drugs, meth use is one in every of the simplest to discover, especially since one in every of its common symptoms is a change within the user’s physical appearance.
In other words, meth can dramatically change the user’s look, giving them distinctive characteristics. That is supported by a statistic that shows around 37% of meth users report a major change of their physical appearance as a consequence of the drug. (3)
To your reference, listed below are physical changes as a consequence of meth that you must take note:
- Lack of appetite
- Weight reduction
- Premature aging
- Skin picking
- Tooth decay (3).
3. Presence of paraphernalia
A sure indicator that somebody is using meth is the presence of meth paraphernalia. Meth will be introduced to your body through snorting, injecting, and smoking—all of which require an apparatus.
Listed below are some meth paraphernalia it’s essential look out for should you suspect one in every of your family members are using:
- Needles
- Aluminum foil, cans, or spoons
- Glass pipes
- Rolled up bills
- turnstiles
- Empty ink pens (4)
A meth user may attempt to stash away these things or hide them in plain sight. If you happen to find any of those paraphernalia, then it’s advisable to intervene immediately.
4. Meth crash
Lastly, a symptom that somebody is abusing meth is after they experience the crash stage. The crash stage is when the body starts to collapse as a consequence of constant stimulation from the drug. Meth crash ends after a lengthy amount of sleep and days wherein a user is unable to operate properly, affecting their day-to-day life. So should you noticed that somebody you’re keen on is always lively for days on end and suddenly crashes and sleeps for long durations, then you might suspect them of meth use. (1)
Moreover, a one who usually uses meth may experience some withdrawal symptoms, like intense craving for the substance, anxiety, fatigue, depression, and headaches. (1)
Final thoughts
Knowing easy methods to recognize the symptoms of meth use won’t only assist you to discover someone abusing the drug. Nevertheless, you may also intervene before their addiction gets out of hand, allowing you to avoid wasting their life. The more you equip yourself with the results of methamphetamine use and addiction, the more you’re able to helping someone in need.
If you happen to notice the one you love or an individual you recognize exhibiting the signs and symptoms in this text, all the time confront them calmly and express your concerns for them. Encourage them to confess they’ve an addiction, because it’s step one to recovery. Lastly, attempt to present the advantages of going into rehabilitation.
References:
- “The National Survey on Drug Use and Health: 2019”, Source: https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt29392/Assistant-Secretary-nsduh2019_presentation/Assistant-Secretary-nsduh2019_presentation.pdf
- “Easy methods to Tell if Your Spouse Is Using Meth”, Source: https://www.webmd.com/connect-to-care/addiction-treatment-recovery/methamphetamine/how-to-tell-if-your-spouse-is-using-meth
- “Study: 73% of Meth Users Are Multiplying Their Risk for Fatal Outcomes”, Source: https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/meth-addiction/users-are-multiplying-their-risk-for-fatal-outcomes/
- “6 Signs of Meth Use in Someone You Love”, Source: https://vertavahealthmassachusetts.com/blog/6-signs-loved-one-using-meth/
