Meth use increases the brain’s production of feel-good chemicals dopamine and serotonin. But when coming down from meth, users suffer reduced levels of meth addiction these chemicals. The change in the brain can lead to feelings of depression and anxiety. Many meth users will continue to use meth to avoid dealing with these mood disorders. Continual use to avoid the come down is often what leads to meth addiction. Many of the short and long-term signs of meth abuse can be fixed once the meth addiction is treated and the user is no longer abusing the drug.
Meth And The Brain
Breaking this cycle requires comprehensive treatment, including therapies like Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) offered at Greater Boston Addiction Centers. Crystal meth looks like glass fragments or small crystals or large chunks of crystals. It can be many different colors, including white, light blue, yellow, orange, and gray. The color differences are due to the different inactive ingredients used to increase the weight of the meth.
What Meth Recovery Is Like
Meth use is linked to a high number of crimes for this reason. Meth users will commit crimes in order to continue abusing the drug. Those who suffer from meth addiction often try hiding these tendencies from others so they can avoid getting caught. Meth users have difficulty sleeping, and may lash out in aggression.
Treating Meth Addiction
Behavioral changes are often the first signs someone is addicted to meth. These changes may include irritability, paranoia, mood swings, decreased sleep, or anger episodes, to name a few. Someone who uses methamphetamines will likely experience a high with a rush of energy. Depending on how a person uses it, it may keep someone awake and alert for many hours. This method is effective because it equips individuals with practical tools to sustain recovery and rebuild their lives. IOP is effective for meth addiction because it balances flexibility with intensive care, enabling patients to maintain daily responsibilities while working toward sobriety.
It impacts the central nervous system, causing heart rate, breathing, temperature, anxiety, and paranoia to increase. It comes in powder, pill, and crystal forms and is typically used by smoking, snorting, or injecting. According to a study by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (2021), combining these medications resulted in a 16% improvement in sustained abstinence among meth users.
- The dangers of long-term meth use include damage to the brain, which can lead to cognitive impairments and emotional regulation issues.
- Tweaking from meth can also cause people to experience hallucinations and become prone to violent behavior.
- It can also cause cardiovascular problems, weaken the immune system, and significantly decrease quality of life, increasing the risk of overdose and death.
- Methamphetamine addiction impacts many different parts of the body including; the muscles, liver, brain, mouth, heart, circulatory system, and respiratory system.
- Behavioral therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and motivational incentives are cited among the most effective therapies for meth addiction.
People in recovery from methamphetamine addiction must commit to staying sober for their entire lives. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction to meth, it’s time to reach out and get the help you deserve. Give us a call at to speak to a compassionate admissions navigator about your treatment options and to begin your recovery journey. Like attention the terms judgment and problem–solving are general labels for a number of different cognitive functions, some of which are very complex and occur in multiple steps. The damage that occurs as a result of meth use affects the ability of the individual to suppress impulses, and this may lead to poor judgment and problem-solving.
At American Addiction Centers, we’ve helped thousands of people overcome addiction and rediscover a life filled with hope and healing. Addiction (clinically called a substance https://ecosoberhouse.com/ use disorder) refers to the compulsive, uncontrollable use of meth despite all of the harm that it causes. Addiction encompasses not only physical changes (such as dependence) but harmful behaviors that affect every aspect of an individual’s life. Addiction elicits changes in the brain which impact an individual’s drive, motivation, thought process and behaviors so much that meth use becomes prioritized over all else. In other words, the body feels like it needs meth to physically function. Dependence can lead to strong cravings and compulsive use in the absence of meth in order to avoid unwanted withdrawal symptoms.
Contact us today to learn more about our comprehensive programs, including Meth Addiction Treatment Programs, Inpatient Treatment Programs, and Substance Abuse Treatment options. Let us help you or your loved one take the first step toward recovery. This combination of factors increases the likelihood of addiction, even with short-term use.
Some people abuse this drug due to the wave of euphoria it can produce, which has been described as a feeling of well-being and intense happiness. Methamphetamine is a powerful, drug addiction treatment highly addictive stimulant drug that affects your central nervous system. It causes rapid release of the chemicals dopamine, serotonin and noradrenaline and this produces feelings of increased energy, mood and libido (sex drive). You may feel much more confident, alert and happy/euphoric (a ‘high’). Meth creates a temporary and pleasurable sense of alertness, euphoria, and energy. This feeling occurs because meth increases the amount of dopamine in the brain.