It is well known that methamphetamine affects both the physical and mental well-being of a person, but can it impair cognitive function? Sadly, the answer is yes – this drug is so powerful it damages your body and brain, sometimes irreversibly, especially when the treatment is not sought until it is too late.
In our article we will elaborate on the connection between meth and brain damage, explain how you can recognize a meth addict, describe the short- and long-term impact of meth on the person’s health, and look into the most effective ways to cope with meth addiction.
What Is Methamphetamine?
Methamphetamine is a synthetic stimulant that causes addiction due to its quick and powerful influence on the human brain. Meth addiction can develop after a single use of the drug making it difficult to deal with the substance use disorder whether the person snorts meth, smokes it, or injects it into their body.
When you use meth, this substance makes your brain release dopamine and you experience intense pleasure; however, the dangerous thing is – you will continue to seek the same feeling over and over again, the amount of drug you use will have to be increased, and the addiction develops.
Short-Term Effects of Meth on the Brain and Body
After a single use of methamphetamine, a person will experience the following sensations:
- Chest Pain
From high blood pressure to increased risks of getting a heart attack or stroke – cardiovascular diseases are among the scariest consequences a meth addict may have to deal with.
- Anxiety
Do not think that turning to drugs will be a way to cope with anxiety – on the contrary, your worry will get even stronger with additional physical symptoms such as nausea and breathlessness.
- Aggressive Behavior
A meth addict often exhibits violent behavior – the brain chemistry is altered quickly which means the person will react with aggression and anger even when there is no drug in their system because there is no access to what they crave.
- Sleep Disturbances
The quality of sleep is significantly worse when the person is on drugs – poor sleep patterns, falling asleep too late or waking up too early, and fatigue even after eight hours of sleep are common effects of meth brain damage.
- Fever
Your body temperature rises even if the dose of methamphetamine is rather low – your body fails to sweat and circulate blood the regular way while the drug is inside it.
Long-Term Effects of Methamphetamine Addiction
A person addicted to methamphetamine will exhibit a variety of symptoms visible to themselves and others – here is a short list of negative consequences an addict may face:
- Mood Swings
It is hard to predict the behavior of a drug addict – one minute they are happy, and the next they act weird, distraught, and violent.
- Cognitive Decline
Long-term use of methamphetamine will lead to a variety of problems with learning, thinking, and memorizing – you will no longer focus on your studies or work, developing mild meth brain damage with scarier consequences if the matter is not resolved.
- Paranoia
Intrusive thoughts often result in paranoia – an addict will be unaware of their environment and feel everyone around them is an enemy with a goal to bring them down.
- Gum Disease and Tooth Decay
Teeth grinding, malnutrition, poor oral hygiene – all these factors will cause a drastic change in the addict’s appearance.
- Organ Failure
If the person overdoses on meth, it will affect their internal organs – liver, kidneys, and heart; the situation becomes even more complicated when the individual had health issues before the overdose took place.
- Infectious Diseases
The risk of infection is higher for people who do drugs – whether you are sharing needles with other people or engaging in various unsafe practices, it is likely you will contract hepatitis or HIV.
Signs of Meth Addiction and Dependence
If you think someone you know well may be an addict, it is important to identify the symptoms of addiction before preparing for a difficult conversation and possible intervention. Pay close attention to the signs listed below:
- Drastic Changes in Behavior
While a person being occasionally annoyed, aggressive, or reclusive does not necessarily mean they are addicted to meth (there is always a possibility of a mental health issue that caused such behavior), pay attention to your family member or friend if you notice their life took a turn for the worse as a result of their choices.
- Hyperactivity
In case an individual is unusually active – they cannot stop talking, moving around, and fidgeting, they are interrupting the other person during a conversation, or they are incapable of concentrating on a simple task, this may imply substance use or abuse.
- Extreme Weight Loss
Meth addiction is often associated with decreased appetite. Remember to be considerate when bringing up topics that involve a person’s appearance – for instance, if they did not want to reveal the details of their illness that did not have anything to do with drugs, your tone may hurt them.
- Exhaustion
Meth withdrawal can lead to extreme fatigue and depression – a person may not be able to get out of bed since their body is no longer receiving the dopamine previously supplied by meth.
Treatment Options for Meth Addiction and Recovery
If you or someone you know well needs help to get rid of their meth addiction, do not postpone a visit to a medical facility whose substance abuse counselors specialize in guiding addicts in their recovery. Here are a few options available for people with addiction:
- Inpatient Treatment
It is a smart idea to remain at a treatment facility for a few weeks in order to avoid relapse – rehab is a perfect place to be away from triggering situations and temptations.
- Outpatient Treatment
In case the therapist evaluates the patient and concludes they do not need 24/7 supervision, the recovering addict can stay home and engage in therapy by coming to a medical center a few times per week.
- Community Support
Whether you are relying on your family to combat meth addiction or you feel stronger connecting with other people who experienced the same difficulties on their way to sobriety, you will have an opportunity to analyze your problems not only with a therapist but also with your peers and loved ones.
- Detox
A patient in need of treatment during meth withdrawal must be monitored by doctors – do not attempt to cope with the physical and emotional consequences of withdrawal on your own.
It is crucial to identify the patterns that led to the addiction in the first place – an experienced therapist will help you acknowledge harmful thoughts and encourage positive thinking to ensure you no longer turn to meth to resolve your issues.
The treatment is more challenging when the addict is struggling with a mental health disorder which is why you must find a medical professional capable of working with patients who require a more sophisticated therapeutic approach.
- Aftercare Therapy
Recovery does not end when the person leaves the medical center especially if their meth addiction harmed them and people around them massively. Mental health professionals will show you how to repair broken relationships and continue to improve your physical and mental wellness even without the daily guidance of a therapist.
FAQs
- Is there a connection between brain damage and meth addiction?
Crystal meth and brain damage, unfortunately, go hand in hand – the central nervous system of an addict will be harmed if the drug is snorted or injected regularly. The levels of dopamine and serotonin will be evident which leads to depression and fatigue making the individual addicted to the substance in question.
- How can I recognize a meth addict?
Enlarged pupils, skin lesions, rapid weight loss, and deterioration of teeth are the main signs you should look for when suspecting someone is doing meth. Moreover, pay attention to the unexplainable mood swings, desire to be isolated and secretive, and sleep disturbances – even if on their own these symptoms may not mean a person is an addict, it is better to learn the truth than miss the glaring signs of addiction.
- How can methamphetamine affect the person right away?
Even if at first meth can bring you extra energy, elevate your mood, and boost your confidence, these feelings are fleeting – soon after you will experience restlessness, heavy breathing, high blood pressure, and fever that may persist for a few days without medical attention.
- What are the long-lasting problems that come with the meth addiction?
Respiratory issues, kidney failure, cardiovascular diseases, skin infections – these are only the physical effects of methamphetamine. Emotional struggles, alienation from the family, and addiction a person cannot battle alone will be present if the problem is not taken seriously and treated as soon as the first negative impact is felt.
- What are the ways of treating meth addiction?
Detox to handle meth withdrawal, individual counseling, and group therapy – these are the most widespread methods of addiction treatment. Whether you tried meth a couple of times and experienced physical discomfort or you were addicted to this drug for a long time, professional treatment is the best way to ensure you never relapse again.
