A key difference between meth and amphetamines, however, is that greater amounts of meth pass into the brain when compared with a similar dose of amphetamines, making it a more potent stimulant. However, consistently using meth damages the brain cells that produce dopamine, which can make it harder for the person to achieve the same high over time. As a result, the person has to take the drug more frequently, consume increasingly higher doses, or constantly change the way they take it, in order to achieve the same effect.
Why Is Crystal Meth So Addictive?
Meth is typically a white pill or powder that doesn’t have a smell but tastes bitter. Crystal methamphetamine usually looks like glass chunks or shiny bluish-white rocks. If https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/alcohol-detox-safely-detoxing-from-alcohol/ crystal meth comes as more of a powder, it’ll have a bitter taste like other kinds of meth.
- Crystal meth affects the psychological system as well as the physical components of the body and can lead to a range of adverse reactions.
- Social consequences of long-term use include financial pressures, problems with work, and challenges with family relationships.
- Of course, having the combination of a traumatic brain injury and a chronic history of methamphetamine use will result in a number of potentially serious neurological issues.
- Your loved one might deny having a problem at all or refuse to seek help.
- But you can lessen the chances of harmful effects if you use smaller amounts of meth no matter what method you choose.
The Facts about Meth Addiction
There is also the risk that veins may be damaged, and of abscesses or clots developing. Drug rehabilitation inpatient programs may offer assistance through the withdrawal process, helping a person to recover from SUD. Learn more about the differences between addiction and dependence. Social consequences of long-term use include financial pressures, problems with work, and challenges with family relationships. Additional research has revealed structural and functional changes in the parts of the brain that control emotions and memory. We do not receive any commission or fee that is dependent upon which treatment provider a caller chooses.
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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. According to MethProject.org, the meth addiction factor is extreme—it’s “one of the most addictive substances” out there today. In fact, it is a man-made drug that was originally developed in the early 20th century for medical purposes and was used as a nasal decongestant in inhalers to treat respiratory conditions.
Cognitive, Behavioral, & Psychological Effects of Meth Use
It sends your brain’s dopamine levels into the stratosphere, so to speak. The only legal meth product is a prescription medication approved to treat ADHD. You can only get it from your doctor, but it’s not used very much. Meth addiction is one of the hardest drug addictions to treat, but it can be done. If you know someone who can’t control their drug use, ask for meth addiction professional help.
Meth Withdrawal
In addition to these Mexican “superlabs,” there are many small home labs in the U. S. Making meth is a dangerous process because of the chemicals involved. Australian authorities have discovered a Malaysian man attempting to import 100 kg (200 pounds) of methamphetamine into the country, stashed inside a collection of PC cases (via Techspot). The offending articles arrived via an air cargo assignment, and on inspection revealed multiple large packages of suspicious white powder stashed inside. From January of 2021 through April of 2023, Blue Bird was involved in a conspiracy with several others in the distribution of methamphetamine on the Rosebud Indian Reservation. As part of the conspiracy, Blue Bird was responsible for distributing over 50 grams of methamphetamine.
- If you take more than one stimulant at a time, you have a higher risk of experiencing a stroke or heart attack, and your body may overheat.
- But substance use treatment with medical detox and behavioral therapies for addiction can help you recover from meth use disorder.
- It is clear from the research that methamphetamine has the potential to produce lasting effects in anyone who uses it.
- During the Vietnam War, amphetamine, nicknamed “pep pills,” was issued to American soldiers to “increase alertness” during lengthy jungle expeditions.
- Still, you may test positive for the drug if you’re around the smoke.
- There is also the risk that veins may be damaged, and of abscesses or clots developing.
Methamphetamine increases the levels of naturally occurring dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. Support groups, such as the 12-Step-based program Crystal Meth Anonymous (CMA), can connect individuals with peers who can relate to what they are going through and offer hope, encouragement, and tips on remaining abstinent. Family therapy, counseling, and educational programs can all help to promote a lasting recovery as well. Her work spans various health-related topics, including mental health, fitness, nutrition, and wellness.
People often try to maintain the high by taking more of the drug before the first dose wears off. At American Addiction Centers, we provide personalized care and support every step of the way. Our nationwide network of drug and alcohol rehab centers offers a variety of treatment options to meet your individual needs. Our admissions navigators can help you find the right program, verify your insurance, and begin your journey to lasting sobriety. SAMHSA’s mission is to lead public health and service delivery efforts that promote mental health, prevent substance misuse, and provide treatments and supports to foster recovery while ensuring equitable access and better outcomes. Using meth can also put the person at risk for a drug overdose, which is when the person consumes too much of a particular drug, resulting in a toxic reaction that causes severe symptoms or death.
What to expect from treatment
Tolerance develops quickly, and psychological addiction can develop within a relatively short space of time. Snorting produces a euphoric high, instead of an intense rush, within 3–5 minutes of ingestion. A person who takes methamphetamine orally can feel the effects within 15–20 minutes. Take our free, 5-minute substance use self-assessment below if you think you or someone you love might struggle with substance addiction. The evaluation consists of 11 yes or no questions that are intended to be used as an informational tool to assess the severity and probability of a substance use disorder.
