To prevent meth relapse, a combination of strategies, including identifying triggers, establishing a healthy support network, and ongoing therapy and counseling are applied. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), consistent engagement in aftercare programs lowers relapse rates by up to 50%. The effects of meth addiction are some of the most dangerous of all addictions. When methamphetamine is used for an extended period, users often lose weight, becoming gaunt and haggard. Methamphetamine also creates severe mental changes in users that often include paranoia, aggression, irritability and even psychosis.
Specialized Methamphetamine Withdrawal Management
The euphoria you experience when using meth may last only a few minutes. https://www.bdjf.org.in/faq-s-frequently-asked-questions-about-aa/ But other effects, like increased energy or higher body temperature, can linger for hours. You can have a toxic or deadly reaction when you take too much meth. The risks of overdose are higher when you mix the drug with opioids or other stimulants such as cocaine, ecstasy, or amphetamines. You can have physical and psychological symptoms when you stop using meth.
Do methamphetamine users go through withdrawal when they quit using the drug?
Effective treatment options include behavioral therapies and motivational incentives. Crystal methamphetamine is a synthetic psychostimulant drug that speeds up the inner working of the brain and affects the central nervous system, with long-lasting effects on the body. Nicknames include crystal, speed, zoom, go, crank, tweak, ice, glass, rock candy, shizzo, yaba, fire, uppers, poor man’s cocaine or shards. Some people call it Tina when out in public, because it sounds like they’re talking about a person rather than a drug. The drug has devastating effects on those who become addicted to it.
- Prolonged use of methamphetamine results in damage to the brain’s reward and executive function systems, impairing memory, decision-making, and emotional regulation.
- For this reason, this highly addictive substance is often called a bathtub drug.
- Family and friends help in methamphetamine addiction recovery by providing emotional support, helping to maintain accountability, and creating a safe and stable environment.
- No medication provided sufficient evidence to promote its use in the routine clinical management of MUD.
Risks and Complications of Meth Addiction
† Binge drinking and nicotine dependence reported within the past month; all other substances are within the past year. Using the drug can lead to lowered inhibitions and behaviors that put the person in danger. Some people meth addiction self-medicate for these effects, hoping to lose weight, improve their sexual performance, reduce depression, or concentrate more at work or school. Anyone with a co-occurring disorder will benefit from treating both conditions simultaneously since an untreated condition can lead to relapse.
How is methamphetamine addiction treated?
However, people who use meth tend to use this drug more frequently than those who use cocaine. “Tweakers” are people who use meth for between three and fifteen days. Meth abuse can cause insomnia, anxiety, and violent or psychotic behavior. A 2015 CDC report recorded injuries from 1,325 meth-related chemical incidents in five U.S. states from 2001–2012.
Meth can also cause rapid weight loss, a higher libido, and intense feelings of alertness and concentration. Behavioral changes are often the first signs someone is addicted to meth. These changes may include irritability, paranoia, Sobriety mood swings, decreased sleep, or anger episodes, to name a few.
