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People suffering from meth addiction may try to hide the side effects of meth use from their friends and family. Here are twenty-two things most meth addicts will not tell you about their addiction.
1. Skin issues and infections are common among meth users.
Many meth users suffer from acne and meth-induced hallucinations known as “crank bugs.” Meth users will pick at their skin thinking bugs are beneath the surface. The presence of red, open, painful-looking sores across the body and face are common signs of meth use and addiction
2. Meth abuse can cause insomnia, anxiety, and violent or psychotic behavior.
Meth users have difficulty sleeping, and may lash out in aggression. Extreme changes in behavior can indicate meth addiction.
3. Meth users tend to suffer from meth mouth and severe dental problems.
Meth use can lead to teeth clenching and grinding, and poor dental hygiene. Plus, many meth users drink sugary carbonated drinks that contribute to poor oral health. Tooth decay, tooth loss, and gum disease are common among meth users — especially those who inject the drug.
4. Meth use can contribute to and worsen the progression of HIV and AIDS.
Meth increases energy and sexual libido while lowering inhibitions and allowing people to perform sexual intercourse for extended periods of time. People who inject meth can also develop HIV and AIDS from sharing contaminated needles.
5. Many meth addicts enjoy the way they feel on meth.
Meth causes euphoria, increased energy, and other desirable effects for its users. Unfortunately, the ‘positive’ effects of meth can quickly become unpleasant post-meth-high. This can lead to paranoia, aggression, and violence as users come off their highs.
6. Meth can cause seizures in those who use large amounts of the drug.
Seizures are common among cocaine and meth users, though meth users tend to suffer longer lasting convulsions. Seizures caused by meth are dangerous and can lead to sudden death.
7. “Tweakers” are people who use meth for between three and fifteen days.
Tweakers typically don’t sleep during these long periods of meth use and become psychotic on behalf of sleep loss, insomnia, and intense drug cravings. Tweakers can become extremely violent and dangerous, and tend to have fast-moving eyes and quivering voices. These meth users also tend to move more quickly and jerkily than other meth users. Tweaker behavior becomes more frantic the longer they use this drug.
8. Meth can cause homicidal and suicidal tendencies in chronic users.
Meth use is linked to a high number of crimes for this reason. Meth users will commit crimes in order to continue abusing the drug. Those who suffer from meth addiction often try hiding these tendencies from others so they can avoid getting caught.
9. Dry mouth is one of the most common side effects of meth use.
Chronic meth users may chew lots of gum or drink lots of water to offset the side effects of meth use (dry mouth and meth mouth).
10. Meth use can cause extreme weight loss and malnutrition.
If you suspect someone may be using meth, take note of their eating habits. If they are experiencing a loss of appetite and sudden weight loss, it could indicate a drug problem.
11. Meth users are less likely to combine meth with alcohol compared to cocaine addicts.
However, people who use meth tend to use this drug more frequently than those who use cocaine.
12. Meth users tend to start using at a younger age.
Evidence suggests that meth use tends to be prevalent in the West and parts of the Midwest in the U.S. Users are found to be mostly Caucasian females.
13. Crystal meth is usually smoked or injected.
These methods of consumption deliver meth to the brain quickly. This produces a faster high and increases the likelihood of addiction.
14. Doctors may prescribe Meth as a treatment for ADHD in rare cases.
Although rare, it does happen on occasion. However, those addicted to meth do not normally abuse this form of the drug.
15. Meth use is linked to increased rates of pregnancy complications.
Premature delivery, placental abruption, and birth defects are a few adverse side effects of meth that can result from pregnant women using the drug.
16. Childhood trauma and abuse can increase the likelihood of meth addiction.
Meth users with children create unsafe environments, passing along trauma to their family. Parents suffering from meth addiction will display a lack of supervision, chronic neglect, and violence towards their kids.
17. Continued Meth use changes the brain, sometimes permanently.
Meth interferes with the transmission of the brain chemicals dopamine and serotonin. This puts users at a higher risk for Parkinson’s disease, memory problems, and creates an altered emotional state. Changes in brain chemistry can cause irreversible decay of grey, and white brain matter. But the sooner treatment begins, the lower the risk for these problems.
18. Meth users tend to be highly self-absorbed due to psychosis induced by meth use.
Long-term meth users who become addicted to this drug are unable to see beyond getting their next fix. They also may experience schizophrenia-like psychosis throughout use.
19. People who use meth are prone to engage in “punding.”
Punding is pointless, meaningless repetitive activity. This can include instances like lining up objects or breaking things into pieces.
20. Meth production is often dangerous and can lead to fires and explosions.
The hazardous, toxic chemicals and ingredients used to make meth can cause deadly events. Chemicals can even linger in the air and environment for long periods of time. Meth production exposes people to serious health risks.
21. Meth use and addiction can cause severe organ damage.
Meth is a stimulant that speeds up central nervous system function. Those who use this drug regularly and long-term can put excess strain on their organs. Meth users often damage their heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, and brain.
22. Severe depression is common among meth users coming down from the drug.
Meth use increases the brain’s production of feel-good chemicals dopamine and serotonin. But when coming down from meth, users suffer reduced levels of these chemicals. The change in the brain can lead to feelings of depression and anxiety. Many meth users will continue to use meth to avoid dealing with these mood disorders. Continual use to avoid the come down is often what leads to meth addiction.
If you or someone you love is suffering from a meth addiction, help is available today.