5 Of The Most Common Signs of Meth Use: What You Should Do Next

The latest statistics show that of Americans 12 and up, over 750,000 used methamphetamine in the last month.

Methamphetamine is a dangerous, addictive stimulant drug. The abuse of methamphetamine has serious and often lethal consequences.

Do you suspect a loved one has a problem with methamphetamine? Here are the five most common signs of meth use.

Read on for five common signs of addiction and what to do next if someone you love abuses meth.

The Dangers of Meth

When a person takes meth, he experiences instant pleasure. After the pleasure rush, comes a prolonged state of euphoria. The user feels confident, focused, and energized.

The drug releases an extreme amount of dopamine into the brain unrivaled by other drugs. This creates a high lasting up to 12 hours.

As the high from the drug wears off, the user crashes into depression, thus causing a craving for more meth.

With continued meth use, the drug alters the brain chemistry making it more difficult to experience pleasure.

Former meth users often have irreversible brain damage and mental health problems.

If you suspect your loved one has a meth problem, look for these five signs.

1. Hyperactivity

More more physically active than usual, hyperactive, and jumpy could be a sign of meth use. A sudden extreme increase in libido is also a sign.

Look for rapid eye movements and odd sleeping patterns.

2. Tweaking

Tweaking often occurs after a meth binge. The first high feels so good, the user goes on a binge of meth use. They seek out more meth in an effort to achieve the initial high.

When they’re tweaking, they can’t reach the intensity of the first high.

During tweaking, some individuals experience extreme insomnia for up to 15 days. Other signs are paranoia and irritability. Violence and criminal behavior are also often problems when someone is tweaking.

3. Weight Loss

Individuals using meth lose their appetite. As a result, they’re malnourished and lose a lot of weight. If a loved one has sudden weight loss, along with other symptoms, that’s a sign of drug abuse.

4. Meth-Induced Psychosis

Meth use causes a flood of dopamine to the brain which creates an imbalance with the brain’s own dopamine. This imbalance sometimes causes meth-induced psychosis.

Psychosis causes visual and auditory hallucinations as well as delusions. The dopamine imbalance impairs memory and the ability to learn new motor skills. This is why it’s crucial to seek help from a place like Addiction Treatment Services.

5. Physical Appearance

A person struggling with meth abuse has alarming changes to his physical appearance. The teeth rot and facial skin droops.

Meth addicts scratch at their skin a lot and have acne and sores.

The Many Signs of Meth Use

These are a few of the worst and most obvious signs of meth use. A sudden increase in activity with increased libido and weight loss are signs of a problem.

Tweaking, psychosis, violence, and delusions are other signs. Constant scratching, acne, and facial sores are indicative of meth use. If someone you know exhibits these signs, it’s time for help.

You want your loved ones happy and healthy. If you suspect a problem with meth abuse, get professional help.

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