Meth Addiction | Signs, Symptoms and Effects

Meth can be snorted, injected, smoked or taken orally, and results in an initial ‘rush’ of pleasure and excitement. This is caused by the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine which flood the ‘reward’ centre of the brain – and is what makes meth so addictive.

Feelings of alertness, energy and hyperactivity can last for several hours after the initial rush, however, this is also often accompanied by paranoia, aggression and psychosis. As the effects of meth begin to wear off, the comedown or ‘crash’ can be severe.

You may feel:

• Extreme fatigue
• Sleep issues
• Intense cravings for meth
• Nausea
• Body aches
• Inability to concentrate
• Depression and anxiety
• Decreased heart rate
• Paranoia
• Psychosis

These symptoms can prompt you to re-use or abuse other substances (for example, alcohol or opioids) as a way to mitigate the comedown effects. Combining meth (which is a stimulant) with depressants such as alcohol can put a great deal of strain on the body as it tries to cope with the counteracting effects, and this can be deadly. Continually using and mixing substances in this way quickly leads to an addiction and causes a great deal of harm both physically and psychologically.

As your meth addiction intensifies, you may also experience symptoms such as:

• Mood swings and irritability
• Hallucinations
• Confusion
• Decreased cognitive function – you may find yourself unable to make decisions, unable to focus and experience impaired judgement and memory loss
• Increased risk of mental health issues

If you are tired of the same vicious cycles that keep you stuck in a loop of meth abuse, help is available. Don’t waste another day on meth.

Spotting a meth addiction can be difficult, especially for those who are not familiar with the signs. In general, the effects of meth addiction manifest in three distinct categories: physical, mental and behavioural changes.

Physically, an individual may experience changes in body weight or skin condition. They may have dental issues, also known as ‘meth mouth’, where teeth begin to decay and even fall out. Personal hygiene may be neglected and they may appear dirty and dishevelled.

Mentally, they may become more aggressive or paranoid, as well as struggle with hysteria and agitation. They may go through periods of desperation at the end of a prolonged period of meth consumption, also known as ‘tweaking’. During an episode like this, the individual will no longer be able to satiate their cravings with more meth as their brain and body will be spent, and psychotic symptoms may appear.

Behaviourally, they may display increased risky behaviours such as violence or reckless driving. They may begin to compulsively lie or steal in order to fund their habit. It is possible that sexually aggressive behaviour may also present itself.

It is important to remember that everyone’s experience with meth addiction is different; however, if you observe any combination of these symptoms in a loved one over an extended period of time, it might be indicative of a larger issue.

Breaking free from meth addiction can bring newfound freedom and joy to your life. You’ll experience an increase in energy, improved mental clarity and an overall sense of well-being. You will also benefit from the financial savings that come with sobriety and improved relationships with friends and family.

Many of our clients report feeling liberated and optimistic about the future as they progress through our treatment programme. You too can look forward to a brighter future and reap the benefits of a life without meth. Contact our admissions team if you are ready to make a change and begin your recovery journey.