The Ugly Side of Crystal Meth
Crystal Meth, a form of methamphetamine, is a powerful and extremely addictive man-made stimulant. Its use can lead to severe physiological and psychological dependence. It has become popular for the high it provides, but after the temporary pleasure ends, the chase for the same euphoric high leads to addiction and brings with it effects that tend to be much longer lasting. Here are some of the unpleasant side-effects:
Appearance
• Chronic users may develop distinct physical symptoms, such as sores on the face and body from picking at their skin. Before and After pictures can be viewed online as part of the “Faces of Meth” program from The Partnership for a Drug-Free America.
• Signs of chronic use include tooth decay and cracked teeth, commonly known as “Meth Mouth”.
• Involuntary body movements such as grimacing, lip smacking, and sudden twitches.
Behavior
• Users may become obsessed or perform repetitive tasks such as cleaning, hand-washing, or assembling and disassembling objects.
• Irritability, nervousness, anxiety, paranoia, delusions of grandeur, panic, aggressive and sometimes violent behavior, severe depression, suicidal tendencies,
• Occasionally excessive and/or chronic use of methamphetamine can lead to amphetamine psychosis, with side effects such as hallucinations, and thought disorders.
Physical Reactions
• Increased sweating,
• Insomnia,
• Dilated pupils,
• Tightened jaw muscles and teeth grinding and clenching
• Dry mouth, which eventually leads to Meth Mouth.
• Itching, and a sensation akin to the feeling of “bugs crawling on the skin”
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,
• Shortness of breath, increased heart rate, increased blood pressure,
• Difficulty in urination.
• Crystal meth use by pregnant women can lead to premature birth or birth defects, including heart defects and cleft palate.
• Tremors and convulsions,
• Users may also experience homicidal or suicidal thoughts, prolonged anxiety, paranoia and insomnia.
• Long-term effects of Crystal Meth use can include brain damage (similar to the effects of Parkinson’s disease or Alzheimer’s disease), Or a coma,
• Other serious physical effects include, lowered resistance to illnesses, liver damage, possibly fatal lung and kidney disorders, heart attack, stroke or death.
Specialized treatment for crystal meth addiction is available that combines medical assistance with cognitive-behavioral therapy by licensed counselors to treat meth and crystal meth addiction and its harmful consequences. The individualized program addresses underlying causes of drug abuse, dual diagnosis, and issues with family, employers, school and the legal system.
Methamphetamine treatment does not need to be voluntary. Often, a family member, employer, or the court system can be the motivating factor for an individual receiving drug treatment for meth. If you or someone you love needs help, contact Transitions Recovery Center’s Meth Rehab Center.
