Commonly referred to simply as meth on the street and on TV, methamphetamine is an illicit drug with dangerous short and long-term consequences. Using this substance often leads to the individual requiring meth addiction treatment to recover. Meth is an extremely addictive stimulant affecting the human central nervous system. The symptoms of meth addiction are severe and potentially deadly without meth addiction treatment in Georgia. If you see signs of meth addiction in someone you care about, contact Georgia Addiction Treatment Center immediately online or call us at [Direct].
Initial Signs of Meth Addiction
Meth takes a significant psychological toll, with intense physical signs of meth use that appear on the skin and face of those using this dangerous drug. Meth affects both the brain and the body, and signs of meth addiction are visible in various ways. If you observe any of these symptoms of meth addiction in a family member or friend, it may be time to seek meth addiction treatment in Georgia.
The first signs of meth use to keep an eye out for is the sudden loss of interest in the things that were once important, including:
- Hobbies
- Passions
- Relationships
- Work
- School
- Career
Even before the physical signs of meth use on the body, a person’s normal, healthy life will take a back seat to obtaining and using meth. As acquiring and taking meth begins to dominate your loved one, they will likely attempt to hide their meth use. However, the longer they use the drug, the more obvious it becomes that meth is now running and ruining their lives. Meth chemically changes how a person thinks and feels on a daily basis.
Behavioral and Physical Symptoms of Meth Addiction
Whether they have just started using meth or have already developed an addiction, your loved one may be exhibiting various behavioral and physical signs of meth use. Some of the most common symptoms of meth addiction on the body that you can observe may include:
- Hyperactivity and twitching
- Skin sores, burns on the lips and fingers
- Rotting teeth
- Facial tics and other abrupt body movements
- Dilated pupils and rapid eye movement
- Sudden and dramatic weight loss, along with a complete loss of appetite
- Erratic sleep
Signs Your Loved One is Struggling with a Meth Addiction
You also need to look out for even more traumatic symptoms of meth addiction if you fear that a child or other loved one is using meth.
Tweaking
At the end of a meth binge, when someone can no longer achieve a rush or high, you may see them tweaking. Tweaking causes extreme anxiety and insomnia over a period of 3 to 15 days. There are psychological effects of tweaking, too, including:
- Irritability
- Confusion
- Hallucination
- Paranoia
- Desperation
- Violent actions
Crashing
During a crash from meth use, your loved one’s body is deprived of the dopamine that the meth was providing them. When this happens, you will observe extreme exhaustion, lasting from 1 to 3 days, overtake them. While crashing, your loved one will sleep for long stretches, experience intense craving for more of the drug, and be depressed.
The Risks of Meth Use
The severity of risks and the danger of addiction are well known. Yet, many people continue to experiment with and use meth. The euphoria from the drug has a serious cost because the bulk of the meth remains unchanged in the body and stays present in the brain even longer. This means that in addition to the physical symptoms of meth addiction, the drug is highly toxic to nerve terminals in the brain.
Meth will ultimately destroy your loved one’s brain cell synapses. This is where dopamine is released and will bring on mood disturbances.
The physical signs of meth use can be obvious for all to see, but the effects of meth addiction inside the body could be even worse. The prolonged use of meth alters brain chemistry, destroying the wiring in the brain’s pleasure center.
Over time, your loved one will be unable to feel pleasure without the use of meth. In addition, chronic meth use will result in damage to the body, bodily systems, and the blood vessels in the brain. These changes are irreversible and may result in a stroke. The symptoms of meth addiction are more dangerous and long-lasting than nearly any other substance. Therefore, it is essential to reach out for professional help immediately. Care, compassion, and treatment are available, and your loved one deserves a chance to live a happy, healthy life once again.
Learn More at Georgia Addiction Treatment Center
If someone you love is struggling with meth use, our meth addiction treatment can help. To help them start down the path toward long-term recovery, contact us using our secure online form or call us at [Direct] today.
