But over the past decade, rates have gone up among Black people and younger folks aged 18-23. Crystal meth is often made with a common cold medicine ingredient called pseudoephedrine, which helps ease congestion. Because it’s used to make meth, the federal government closely regulates products with pseudoephedrine.

The high caused by meth may be unrivaled, but the side effects are equally unparalleled. Over time, the warning signs become more apparent and the health problems become more severe. The sooner people seek medical help, the earlier they can stop the damage to their body. In most cases, abstinence from meth abuse for at least two years can lead to the reversal of many of the negative physical signs of methamphetamine abuse but not all. Motor function and verbal memory will typically repair to some extent after two years of meth abstinence, but some other neurological aspects of prolonged use may not repair themselves even with time. Often times the signs of meth addiction can be difficult to identify.

Psychological effects

Smoking meth may lead to respiratory damage and lung complications. 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. Behavioral therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and motivational incentives are cited among the most effective therapies for meth addiction.

Meth is more dangerous than other stimulants because a larger percentage of the drug remains unchanged in the body and stays present in the brain longer. The drug is toxic to nerve terminals in the brain and Meth can destroy the brain cell synapses where dopamine is released, causing mood disturbances and dependence on the drug. Prolonged Meth use changes the brain chemistry of users, destroying the wiring in the brain’s pleasure center, and makes it increasingly difficult to experience any sort of pleasure without the drug.

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Some people turn to crystal meth after their tolerance to a different drug has grown so much that they can no longer get high from that substance. Crystal meth can not only provide the high the addict is looking for, it also costs less and lasts longer. The euphoric high experienced by methamphetamine users is caused by a surge of dopamine released into the brain. Over time methamphetamine use destroys dopamine receptors within the brain.

A crash can last anywhere from 1 to 3 days and is characterized by long periods of sleep, intense drug cravings, and depression. The powerful rush you get from using meth makes it easy to get hooked right from the start. When it’s used, dopamine floods your brain to boost feelings of pleasure. You may use meth to make sex more pleasurable or to lower your inhibitions. But you may not think clearly when you’re high or make the same decisions as when you’re sober.

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It can be tough to start recovery alone, even if they’re already motivated to so do on their own. It’s helpful to keep calm when talking to your loved one, but you don’t have to refrain from showing any emotion. Openness and honesty in both your words and feelings can show them just how important they are and how much you care about them. You probably feel scared, worried, sad, even angry — or quite possibly all of the above. After sharing your worries, give them the chance to talk — and listen. They might feel ready to give you more details or explain why they started using it.

BetterHelp can connect you to an addiction and mental health counselor. Meth or methamphetamine is a stimulant drug like cocaine, affecting the central nervous system (CNS). While the parent drug for meth is amphetamine, there are some unique differences. In 2017, approximately 964,000 people (12 years old and older) in the United States were living with a methamphetamine use disorder. Yet, as more time passes and dependence builds, people use meth more frequently within less social settings.

Poor hygiene isn’t the only cause of meth mouth; dry mouth, teeth grinding, and sugar cravings, which are all side effects of meth, can also wreak havoc on a person’s oral health. Because meth causes a rush of happiness and energy, some people inject, snort, smoke, or swallow it. Using meth in any manner meth addiction can cause serious health problems, including addiction, stroke, permanent brain damage, and overdose. Methamphetamine overdose is a toxic, potentially life threatening reaction to the drug. Your risk of overdose increases if you take a large dose of meth or mix methamphetamine with other drugs.

There are many physical side effects of long-term meth abuse, such as tooth decay or “meth mouth,” body sores, weight loss, hair loss and outward signs of aging as the drug destroys tissues and blood vessels. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), psychosis can last for several months or years after the individual quits using. The most effective meth addiction treatment programs include medical detox and cognitive therapies.

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. 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.

• But other effects, like increased energy or higher body temperature, can linger for hours.
• There, you will likely participate in education sessions, individual and group counseling, and behavior therapies.
• Medical methamphetamine is prescribed at a far lower dose than the street version.
• SUD is a medical condition that requires proper medical treatment.