What is Meth Abuse?

Article-explains meth and the withdrawal symptoms compiled by Methamphetamine addiction treatment centers Austin Texas

Methamphetamine addiction treatment is one of the many areas Oakvine Recovery Center effectively treats. Methamphetamines are commonly prescribed for ADHD and weight loss, but the street version—known as crystal meth—is extremely addictive and leads to very serious negative effects and consequences. It is a stimulant that affects the central nervous system by delivering dopamine to the brain. However, the resulting high does not last very long, so users tend to want more meth in a relatively short time. In fact, meth abuse can lead to binges that last for days or even weeks.

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) found that more than 1.5 million people in the United States use crystal meth annually. More than five percent of the population has tried it.

Despite its dangers, Oakvine Recovery Center can offer you optimism. We have extensive experience creating personalized treatment and recovery plans for meth addiction.

Our Methamphetamine Addiction Treatment Staff Explains: What Are the Symptoms of Meth Abuse?

Meth use disorder leads to some truly horrible physical and behavioral symptoms. Many of these effects can accelerate rapidly with prolonged abuse. Things to look for include:

  • Loss of appetite and extreme weight loss
  • Tiredness due to lack of consistent sleep
  • Rotting and brown teeth, commonly known as “meth mouth”
  • Face acne and other unusual sores
  • Psychoses such as hallucinations, paranoia, panic and irritability
  • Erratic, violent or bizarre behavior
  • Nausea
  • A fixation on scratching, often from psychosis
  • Faster breathing, which could be from rapid heartbeat

What is Tweaking?

Tweaking is a result of abuse and binge behavior that is unique to meth use disorder because the effects of the meth high only last for a short duration. The duration of the high becomes even shorter the longer a person has been abusing the substance.

This regularly leads to extended abuse that exacerbates many of these symptoms. The most well-recognized sign of tweaking is extended insomnia, which could last a few days to a couple of weeks. The lack of sleep then makes other effects worse, from paranoia and irritability to physical reactions like rapid eye movement and fast, garbled speech.

What are the Long-Term Effects of Meth Abuse?

The physical and psychological effects of meth use disorder only grow worse over time. There are also some effects specific to how the user ingests meth. These long-term effects can include:

  • Severe tooth and gum damage
  • Damage to your liver, kidney and lungs
  • Weight loss, frailty and malnutrition
  • Changes in brain structure and function in similar fashion to damage from stroke or Alzheimer’s Disease
  • Damage to the blood vessels in your heart and brain
  • Paranoia and extreme distrust of others
  • Hallucinations and other psychoses
  • Intense itching and scratching that creates sores
  • Risk of HIV/AIDS and other diseases that can be transmitted via a needle or sexual activity
  • From smoking: permanent respiratory issues
  • From sniffing: permanent damage to nasal tissue

What is the Process at Oakvine’s Meth Addiction Treatment Center?

Currently there are no medications approved to treat meth addiction. However, Oakvine has the professional staff to engage in a number of proven behavioral therapies. These are determined with a comprehensive examination and will be based on your unique circumstances. Your drug addiction treatment plan might include:

  • Group therapy
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy
  • Family therapy
  • Holistic therapies
  • Motivational incentives

Our credentialed substance abuse counselors and specialized physicians understand meth use disorders.

Call our Meth Drug Rehab Center Today

Our meth drug rehab Austin treatment center has the tools and experience to help clients achieve long-term recovery. We know how to help and we’re willing to start right away. You can give us a confidential call at (877) 255-6890.