Signs of Meth Addiction

Signs of meth addiction include physical, emotional, and psychological changes in the user. One sure sign of meth addiction is the user's firm belief that they are unable to fully function when they are not on meth. Other signs of meth addiction include the user creating distance between themselves and those who love and care about them. This alienation will keep them emotionally remote, and thus result in feelings of depression and loneliness.

Methamphetamine is a drug that does not allow much room for casual use. Users quickly become addicts. Often, the signs of meth addiction take a toll on the user's health and their ability to tend to basic personal hygiene. The signs of meth addiction include:

• Body Odor: Chemicals are emitted from the skin of meth users, often producing strong and unpleasant odors.
• Dental Problems: Meth use causes serious tooth decay. Use of methamphetamines can cause the teeth to become discolored, brittle, and even chip. The term often used to describe the oral effects of meth use is "meth mouth." In those who use meth, the teeth become stained, deteriorate, and rot. This could be linked to the toxic chemicals in methamphetamine or side effects of the drug. Meth causes blood tissues to shrink and die, cutting off blood supply to the oral cavity and reducing saliva production, which aids in neutralizing harmful acids in the mouth.
• Eye Movement: Rapid eye movement and dilated pupils.
• Facial Appearance: The faces of users often appear pale or splotchy and may be sweaty as well.
• Low Body Weight: Users lose weight rapidly and often appear sick.
• Skin Sores: Users often pick at imaginary bugs under their skin (meth bugs), causing open sores, infections, and scarring of the skin. The death of blood vessels causes other visible signs of meth use. Because of the lack of blood flow to body tissue, including the skin, it is difficult and sometimes impossible for the body to repair itself from injury. As a result, the skin loses elasticity, and meth users often look more aged than their chronological years. Sores appear on the skin that may take a prolonged time to heal. In extreme cases, the sores may not heal at all. The sores are often because of skin picking, which is common among meth users.
• Internal Effects: In addition to the signs of meth addiction on the user's physical appearance, there are serious changes that take place within the body. As reported by Science Daily, a study completed at UCLA Medical center showed meth use can cause permanent damage to the brain, harming the nerve cells resulting in symptoms similar to those seen in Alzheimer's disease, psychosis, and dementia. In addition, meth use can cause constriction or destruction of the blood vessels. This can result in increased heart rate and abnormal blood pressure. The kidneys and liver are compromised as well. The toxins in meth are difficult for the liver to break down, and for the kidneys to excrete in urine. This results in low urine output and a higher level of toxins remaining in the body.

Additional signs of meth addiction include paranoia, jitteriness, and anxiety. Meth addicts may communicate with senseless and irrational babble and their speech may be impaired. They are prone to moodiness and violent outbursts. Please note that the presence of these symptoms and behaviors do not necessarily mean a person is a meth addict. There are other factors, such as mental illness or side effects from prescribed medication that can cause symptoms similar to those associated with signs of meth addiction. If you suspect meth use, it is recommended you contact a drug addiction treatment specialist.

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