Most addictive substances impact the brain’s reward system, disrupting the normal creation, flow, and release of dopamine, the neurotransmitter responsible for pleasure. Methamphetamine is considered one of the most addictive substances, and is likely to cause addiction in those who use it.
What is Meth?
Methamphetamine is a potent and extremely addictive stimulant that affects the central nervous system. It’s commonly referred to as:
- Meth
- Ice
- Crystal
- Crank
- Glass
Meth is chemically similar to amphetamine, a drug that is used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. It has the potential to have a very powerful effect on the brain, including in the creation and release of the “reward chemical” dopamine.
Meth users have several ways of taking the drug to achieve a high. It may be taken in pill form, smoked, injected, or snorted. Injecting or smoking meth creates an immediate high that lasts between 8 and 12 hours. This may lead users to take repeated doses to stay high. When taken orally, the high is not as intense but can last from 6 to 12 hours.
Meth Use in California
California has the highest number of meth users in the United States. In 2021, 418,000 people reported using meth. Past-year meth use in the state (referring to the period of 2022 to 2023) is consistently above the national average for people aged 12 years and over. In 2023, 72% of urine drug tests from fentanyl users in California also included meth.
According to the L.A. County Department of Public Health, methamphetamine is one of the top two drugs that contribute to overdose deaths. Between 2012 and 2023, the number of deaths in Los Angeles County attributable increased from 238 to 1,385. Meth use is highest among people aged 35 to 39 and 45 to 49 years.
Methamphetamine is extremely addictive because of its potent action on the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine. Dopamine provides feelings of pleasure and is tied to how the body learns what is good for it, and produces a euphoric rush when a person uses meth. Serotonin, which is responsible for regulating appetite, memory, and the experience of happiness, is also affected. If a person becomes addicted to meth, their brain becomes accustomed to these effects and may not produce as much as it would have without the presence of meth.
The immediate effects of meth use may include:
- Increase in physical activity and wakefulness
- Increased alertness
- Dilated pupils
- Twitching
- Reduced appetite
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Increased blood pressure
- Hyperthermia (increased body temperature)
- Sweating
- Dry mouth
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Euphoria and a “rush”
- Unpredictable behavior
- Impulse to do repetitive or meaningless tasks
Chronic meth abuse can chemically change the structure and function of the brain. This means that people may experience reduced motor skills, affected learning abilities, and hindered emotional regulation. Long-term effects may also include:
- Addiction
- Confusion
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Mood disturbances
- Violent, aggressive behavior
- Psychotic features, including hallucinations, paranoia, and delusions
- Sores on the skin from scratching
- Sensations of insects crawling on skin
- Dental problems (meth mouth)
- Substantial weight loss
- Anorexia
- Brain damage, possibly contributing to memory and emotional problems
- Lung disease
- Liver and kidney damage
- Poor decision-making
- Mood swings
- Suicidal thoughts
- Impulsivity
Signs of Meth Addiction
Recognizing the signs of meth addiction is essential for helping an individual get professional help. Not every person will show every sign, but there are a few consistent signs.
Meth addiction can significantly impact an individual’s emotional and mental well-being and cause a variety of psychological symptoms, including:
- Problems concentrating
- Difficulty focusing or remembering
- Irrational and intense fear that others are trying to hurt them
- Mood swings
- Periods of sudden, violent behavior
- Chronic feelings of nervousness, anxiety, and deep sadness
- Severe depression that may lead to suicidal thoughts or attempts
- Serious memory loss that may become permanent
In extreme cases of meth abuse, users may develop drug-induced psychosis, including disorganized thoughts, hallucinations, and delusions
The physical effects of meth addiction are usually very noticeable and are often the earliest signs of addiction. These may include:
- Dental issues (meth mouth): A classic sign of meth addiction characterized by gum disease, severe tooth decay, and tooth loss that results from drug-induced dry mouth, poor oral care, teeth grinding, decreased blood flow to the mouth, and reduced saliva.
- Sudden weight loss and malnutrition: Meth reduces appetite, leading to sudden weight loss and potential malnutrition
- Body odor: A noticeable chemical or ammonia-like smell may emerge from the person or their clothes.
- Skin sores and scabs: Sores may be caused by oily skin and/or the person picking at their skin due to meth-induced hallucinations of insects crawling on them.
- Dilated pupils: Pupils appear larger than normal, even in well-lit areas.
- Irregular heartbeat: This may cause sudden death.
- Chronic heart problems: Thus may include heart attack and the breakdown of the heart muscle.
- Repetitive or jerky movements: This refers to repeated movements that the person can’t control. This phenomenon is the origin of the word “tweaker,” used to describe a meth user who has used enough to incite these jerky moments.
- Hyperactivity and insomnia: Meth users often show extreme restlessness and energy, and may go for prolonged periods without sleep.
Behavioral changes are often apparent as addiction progresses, affecting relationships and daily routines. These include:
- Lying and increased secrecy
- Avoiding social connections
- Not meeting obligations at school, work, or home
- Unexplained financial difficulties, which may look like borrowing or stealing money
- Increased agitation and irritability
- Mood swings
- Aggression
- Fixating on certain activities or tasks, even if they are meaningless and repetitive
- Paranoia
- Hallucinations
- Experiencing delusions
- Lack of interest in hobbies, activities, and relationships previously enjoyed
- Change in peers, perhaps taking on new friends who use drugs and not spending time with sober friends
How to Seek Treatment for Meth Addiction
Methamphetamine addiction is a complex and serious condition, and professional help is often required to overcome it. This doesn’t mean that a person who becomes addicted to methamphetamine is lacking in strength or moral character. Meth is an extremely addictive substance, and asking for help and/or entering addiction treatment is a courageous step towards a healthier life.
The most crucial step is admitting that a problem exists with personal meth use, and that it is having negative consequences on the person’s life. Accepting the truth of the situation is the foundation for a successful recovery.
There are various treatment choices available for someone who needs help overcoming addiction. The best approach depends on the person’s needs, the severity of the addiction, and any co-occurring mental health disorders.
This is usually the first step in meth addiction treatment, particularly for people with severe addiction. Although there aren’t any FDA-approved medications for meth addiction, medications may be prescribed to treat co-occurring mental health issues and to manage specific withdrawal symptoms. This can lead to a safer detox experience, and the avoidance of long-term health effects.
Residential treatment for addiction involves a person fully stepping away from their life and living full-time at an addiction treatment center. This may be the best choice for someone who has previously relapsed, has a severe addiction, or doesn’t have strong support for their recovery in their current living situation.
Outpatient treatment programs allow people in recovery to live at home while completing therapy sessions (and other treatment-focused activities) at a treatment center. The intensity of the program and the can vary widely, especially if the addicted person requires medical support past their initial detox. Lennox CMHC offers a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) and an intensive outpatient program (IOP) as alternatives to a standard outpatient program, which can focus on different needs within the process of recovering from addiction.
Therapy modalities focused on addiction are the cornerstone of most addiction treatment programs. They can help with determining root causes of addiction, developing healthy coping mechanisms, and visualizing (eventually building) a life without addictive substances.
Group therapy and groups such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and Crystal Meth Anonymous (CMA) can each provide valuable peer support. Family therapy can also help heal relationships and establish a supportive environment at home.
Recover From Meth Addiction at Lennox CMHC
It is possible to heal from meth addiction. It may take time and patience, but it is possible. Lennox CMHC provides premier addiction treatment to the people of Van Nuys, CA and beyond. Our range of outpatient programs are designed to help people seeking recovery, and each treatment plan is personalized to speak to individual needs. Our aftercare program aims to help people prevent relapses and successfully transition back to the “real world.”
Don’t wait for “rock bottom.” Take that first step toward recovery and contact us for help today.