Meth Symptoms

There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to spotting meth symptoms. The main thing to look for is changes in behavior, attitude, appearance, friends, or activities. People who have a problem with meth addiction are often trying to self-medicate or find an escape from the issues that are really bothering them. It is important to remember that getting help early on may help your loved one to get back on track and develop more effective coping skills, often preventing further drug addiction problems.

What are the common meth symptoms? If meth is taken in large doses the meth symptoms may include irritability, aggressive behavior, anxiety, excitement, auditory hallucinations, paranoia, delusions, and psychosis. Meth abusers tend to be violent and mood changes are also common. The abuser may rapidly change from friendly to hostile. The paranoia from meth symptoms results in suspiciousness, hyperactive behavior, and dramatic mood swings.

So, why would anyone use this drug with so many known negative meth symptoms? Meth appeals to drug abusers because it increases the body's metabolism and produces euphoria, increases alertness, and gives the abuser a sense of increased energy. High doses or chronic use of meth, however, increase nervousness, irritability, and paranoia. The extreme paranoia that meth abusers can experience is often associated with a distorted tendency toward violence. Adverse consequences of meth abuse include the risk of stroke, heart failure, and prolonged psychosis.

Several hours after they last used meth, the individual experiences a drastic drop in mood and energy levels. Sleep usually sets in and may last for a long period. Upon awakening, severe depression exists which may last for days. While users are in this depressed state, suicide is a major concern. These meth symptoms associated with withdrawal always happen after meth is used. Addicts know that if they take more of the drug they will feel better. This leads them to continue their downward spiral into drug addiction and perpetuates their depression and negative feelings about themselves.  

Meth symptoms typically follow three patterns: low intensity, binge, and high intensity. Low-intensity abuse describes an user who is not psychologically addicted to the drug and who administers the drug by swallowing or snorting it. Binge and high-intensity abusers are psychologically addicted and prefer to smoke or inject meth to achieve a faster and stronger high. The binge and high-intensity patterns of abuse differ in the frequency in which the drug is abused.

Short term meth symptoms are increased alertness, sense of well-being, paranoia, intense high, hallucinations, aggressive behavior, increased heart rate, convulsions, extreme rise in body temperature (as high as 108 degrees which can cause brain damage and death), uncontrollable movements (twitching, jerking, etc...), violent behavior, insomnia, impaired speech, dry and itchy skin, premature aging, rotting teeth, loss of appetite, acne, sores, and numbness of the extremities.

The effects that meth abuse has on the user’s mind also produce important meth symptoms to be aware of. These meth symptoms include disturbed sleep, excessive excitation, excessive talking, panic, anxiousness, nervousness, moodiness and irritability, false sense of confidence and power, severe depression, and delusions of grandeur that may lead to aggressive behavior. Users may also be uninterested in friends, sex, or food.

After excessive meth abuse, there are long term meth symptoms as well. Long term symptoms include fatal kidney and lung disorders, possible brain damage, depression, hallucinations, disorganized lifestyle, permanent psychological problems, violent and aggressive behavior, weight loss, insomnia, behavior resembling paranoid schizophrenia, decreased social life, malnutrition, poor coping abilities, disturbance of personality development, lowered resistance to illnesses, liver damage, stroke, and in some cases death.

Name:
Phone:
Email:
City:
State:
Looking for Treatment?:
Describe the situation: