Even short-term meth use can cause dangerous weight loss and physical deterioration. In the U.S., meth is classified as a Schedule II drug,2 meaning it has a high potential for abuse but also has limited medical uses under strict regulations. Medications like Desoxyn, a prescription form of methamphetamine, are still used in rare cases to treat ADHD and obesity. Also known as ice, crank, or crystal, meth can be cheaply made by simply mixing together a number of chemicals, many of which are interchangeable. For this reason, this highly addictive substance is often called a bathtub drug. Crystal meth is easy to obtain, and due to the incredibly harsh chemicals used in its manufacture—including battery acid and ammonia—the physical and cognitive effects of the addiction are severe.
Understanding Methamphetamine Abuse
The long-term effects of methamphetamine are devastating and far-reaching. Without treatment, meth addiction often leads to a shortened lifespan. People try illegal drugs for a number of reasons, mostly involving being dissatisfied with their lives. Other reasons people abuse drugs include fitting in with peers and friends, escaping an unpleasant situation, relief from boredom, to rebel from authority, and to experiment. While methamphetamine use is often used to “solve” a problem, the drug abuse and consequences become the problem. Originally taken as a decongestant, antidepressant and weight loss aid, methamphetamine was once widely and legally available in tablet and injectable forms.
Explore Meth Treatment Centers
- Physically, meth addiction can lead to irreversible damage to the brain and other areas of the body.
- In rehab, your treatment team will custom-design a plan for you depending on your needs.
- While meth-induced psychosis can be frightening, several treatment options can help individuals recover.
- Methamphetamine, commonly known as meth, is a highly addictive and dangerous stimulant that affects the central nervous system.
- Withdrawal symptoms are “also dependent on individual brain chemistry, so each person can experience withdrawal differently,” Acheson says.
Addiction impacts not only the individual but also their family, friends, and community. Meth use can result in life-threatening consequences, including overdose, severe mental health disorders, and long-term physical deterioration. Addressing these issues early provides a better chance for recovery and minimizes further harm. Recognizing the signs of meth use is the first step in addressing the devastating effects of methamphetamine addiction.
- Most of the crystal meth and other meth products used in this country are made by transactional criminal organizations (TCOs)in Mexico.
- If you or a loved one is struggling with meth addiction, reaching out for professional support is critical.
- In rare cases, meth use may cause rapid destruction of muscle tissue.11 Without treatment, this condition can lead to irreversible organ failure.
- The medically correct term for drug addiction is substance use disorder (SUD).
- Her fields of interest include Asian languages and literature, Japanese translation, cooking, natural sciences, sex positivity, and mental health.
How does meth affect mental health?
Methamphetamine (also known as “crystal meth”) is an extremely addictive drug. If a person uses it more than once or twice, they have a high chance of developing an addiction. Once a person becomes dependent, the body will go into withdrawal if they try to quit. Meth withdrawal symptoms may manifest during or after detox, which is the process of the body metabolizing and removing it.
- You’ll typically pay less out-of-pocket if you go to “in-network” providers.
- But you can certainly connect them to helpful resources and continue to offer support as they work toward recovery.
- In 2017, approximately 964,000 people (12 years old and older) in the United States were living with a methamphetamine use disorder.
- Prolonged abuse of this stimulant drug affects every aspect of a person’s life, from their physical health to their relationships and daily functioning.
With the exception of marijuana, meth is used by more Americans than any other illicit drug including heroin, cocaine, and LSD. In 2014 there were about 569,000 Americans who reported using meth in the previous month — a 29% increase from meth addiction 2012 when only 440,000 people reported using this illicit stimulant. Meth use rates in the U.S. are continuing to rise on behalf of the drug’s availability, low cost, and a purity rate that ranks above that of heroin.
