Meth comes in 3 forms – speed, base and crystal meth. Each form of this drug is a stimulant. They are very addictive and potentially fatal. There are legal versions of this drug, called methamphetamines, that are commonly prescribed to treat ADHD and obesity. However, the illegal versions are often cut with sulfuric acid, iodine, hydrochloric acid and other harmful chemicals.
Ways Crystal Meth Affect One’s Body
Crystal meth (ice) is the most common methamphetamine used today. It is an illicit drug that is sold by drug dealers. Some other names for it are Tina, Yaba, Uppers, Methlies, Hot Ice, Crystal Meth Glass, Crystal, Crank and Beauties. People often inject, snort and smoke this drug. But, how does it affect their body when doing this?
When someone consumes meth, many things happen. Some of the effects that happen within the body include;
- Feelings of elation and euphoria
- Extreme high
- Tweaking
- Insomnia
- Skin issues
- Kidney, heart, and brain damage
- Teeth and other oral health issues
- Dopamine issues in the brain
- Kills brain cells
- Increased risk of stroke
- Increased risk for Parkinson’s disease
- Psychosis
- Hallucinations
The severity of these effects will vary depending on how much or how long someone uses the drug. If you want to prevent these issues, be sure to contact our Better Tomorrow team to overcome addiction starting today. Our team members are kind, compassionate and they understand addiction and recovery. They can help you to get your life back on track.
Side Effects of Using Methamphetamines
Do you want to know if someone in your life is using meth? Maybe you have some suspicion, but you aren’t sure exactly what the side effects of this drug are exactly. Well, some of the signs that someone may be using methamphetamines include:
- Mood swings
- Loss of appetite
- Sleep issues (generally insomnia)
- Increased anxiety
- Irritability that comes and goes
- Erratic/violent behaviors
- Body temperature changes
- Rapid eye movements
- Convulsions
- Irregular heart rate
- High blood pressure
- Severe depression
The reason that most people experience severe side effects from using this drug is because it is so potent. The chemicals that are used to cut it are also very harmful, toxic and powerful. The combination of these chemicals and the drug itself is far too strong for anyone’s body to not react to.
Long Term Meth Side Effects
If someone uses for a long time, they are going to have some side effects. Some of them may not seem bad, but others are likely to be severe. You might have a few or possibly even all the side effects below:
- Psychosis
- Weight loss
- Saggy skin
- Body/skin sores
- Heart lining inflammation
- Feeling like bugs are crawling under the skin
- Meth mouth (cracked teeth and tooth decay)
- Higher risk of brain damage, coma, and stroke
- Death
Meth is an extremely addictive, potent drug. Any abuse of it can be detrimental to one’s health and lead to long term permanent consequences. The sooner someone receives professional help, the better chance they have of surviving the addiction.
Signs of Withdrawal
If you or someone you know has been using, you have a high chance of experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you quit using it. Learning about these symptoms can help anyone to know more of what to expect during the withdrawal stage. Some of the signs of withdrawal include:
- Dry mouth
- Extreme fatigue
- Headaches
- Intense cravings
- Muscle twitches, spasms, and aches
- Dehydration
- Appetite changes
- Weight loss
- Feeling jittery
- Short of breath
- Confusion
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Psychosis
- Depression
- Hallucinations
- Paranoia
There are many people who do attempt to stop using on their own. However, the chances of relapsing when going that route are much higher than when you reach out for professional rehab help and support. If you want to increase your chances of getting clean, staying clean and having a great recovering lifestyle, get a hold of our Better Tomorrow team today.
Get Treatment for Addiction
If you or someone you know is abusing drugs or alcohol, there are programs available to help you overcome the addiction or dependence on this drug. Some of the treatment options include:
- Outpatient
- Intensive outpatient
- Partial hospitalization (PHP)
- Inpatient
In each one of these programs, there are many treatment services offered to ensure everyone is getting the help, support and guidance they need to overcome addiction.
Get Help to Overcome Addiction Today
Do you or someone you know have an addiction? If so, don’t wait another day to get help from a professional substance abuse organization.
Contact us today, here at Better Tomorrow, to get help to overcome addiction today.