Meth Use Effects

Published May 13, 2010

Effects of Use
Ingesting meth causes the brain to increase production of dopamine and norepinephrine, which are neurotransmitters. If a small amount of the drug is taken, it has these effects:

Decreased fatigue
Increased alertness
Reduced appetite
Other symptoms of meth use include feelings of euphoria and exhilaration.

Large doses of meth produce symptoms that include:

Agitation
Bizarre behavior
Paranoia
Short-term memory loss
Complications and Long Term Effects of Meth Abuse
As meth addicts continue to use the drug over a longer time, they experience psychological symptoms, including anxiety and pronounced mood swings.

Over time, these symptoms may also include:

Depression
Hallucinations
High blood pressure
Irritability
Itching (some users “feel” that bugs are crawling on their skin)
Paranoid delusions
Rage
Self-destructive behavior
Stroke
Sleeping for 24-48 hours at a time
Violence
Weight loss

Long term meth abuse Pennsylvania can also lead to tooth decay. Known as “meth mouth,” this condition is linked to dry mouth, a lack of dental hygiene, and a high consumption of soft drinks containing sugar. An overview of the many negative effects on the body meth causes can be found here at PBS.org and here you can see photos of meth addicts; the results are devastating.

Help and Treatment for Meth Addiction Pennsylvania
Cognitive behavior therapy is a successful method of meth addiction treatment. This treatment approach is used to teach the meth addict how to monitor their thoughts and ultimately to change their behavior. Cognitive behavioral therapy may be used in an individual or a group setting. Self-help groups for addicts may also use this strategy to help people who are addicted to meth. And once addiction treatment is concluded, undergoing sober living house programs could help them adjust to a drug-free life.

Beyond Quitting: Meth Recovery and Rehabilitation
Changing one’s thought patterns and continuing to replace them with more positive ones is an ongoing process. Meth addiction treatment programs, as well as 12-step programs like Crystal Meth Anonymous address this fact and are designed to give the addict tools to understand why they turn to the drug to feel good and how to change that thinking. This drug is psychologically addictive, and someone who wants to stop using it needs to understand the hold it had on them. People who are learning how to quit using meth need to understand that they are never going to recreate their first experience with it.

Meth Use Effects

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