Methamphetamine, or meth, may not be the most prevalent substance abuse problem in the country, but it remains one of the most destructive and addictive drugs available. If you think a loved one may be abusing meth, it’s important to understand the common meth abuse symptoms. You may also want to know what the drug looks like and the methods of using it.

Meth Paraphernalia and Drug Description

You will most often find meth in the form of light tan to white crystal powder, but it can also be in crystals that resemble ice or glass shards. More rarely, meth may take a liquid form. Standard methods of meth use including ingesting, snorting, injecting and smoking. When looking for meth abuse symptoms or use signs in a loved one’s belongings or living area, keep an eye out for crystals, syringes or small bags of white powder.

Other items that indicate meth abuse symptoms include crumpled pieces of aluminum foil, ballpoint pen shafts or punctured soda cans. Sometimes meth users go on binges where they take the drug over and over until they either run out or become completely incapacitated.

Meth Abuse Symptoms

Close up of sad woman worried about possible meth abuse symptomsMeth offers a powerful stimulant experience. Depending on the method of use, it might be a sudden euphoric rush followed by mild euphoria, or it might be a lingering high for up to ten hours, such as occurs with meth ingestion. Meth users feel more energetic than usual and may not sleep for long periods of time. They may also lose their appetite.

Many meth users appear very thin and even gaunt or malnourished. At the same time, they will be strangely energized, but also with high amounts of nervousness or anxiety. Meth abuse symptoms in an addicted user are overheating and sweating even in mild temperatures or without physical activity.

Other meth abuse symptoms include:

  • Dilated pupils
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Sexual excitement
  • Rapid or irregular heartbeat
  • Mood disturbances
  • Aggression and paranoia
  • Insomnia and confusion

The Effects of Heavy Meth Use on Health

Meth users who take the drug compulsively may show a rapid deterioration in their health, appearance, and behavior. Heavy users often develop face or body sores from picking at their skin, as they think they feel bugs crawling under their skin during drug use. Meth addiction also causes saliva to dry up, which leads to dry mouth and eventually rotted teeth.

Heavy meth users also often experience poor judgment, delusions, and hallucinations. Obtaining and using the drug becomes far more critical than anything else in their life, whether that’s working, taking care of their kids, or any other responsibility. Visiting a meth user’s house may be like entering a horror show, with neglected children and animals, plus drug paraphernalia.

Meth users often crash after a period of heavy use. They may sleep for many hours or keep nodding off into sleep in the middle of tasks or conversations.

A meth overdose commonly takes the form of severe overheating, which leads to convulsions, heart attack or death.

Meth Abuse Treatment

Unfortunately, most meth addicts reject help, especially in the beginning. Meth is one of the most addictive drugs, and a person can become addicted after only a few times using it. Even just one use causes a psychological impact. Strong drug cravings also represent a serious issue and a barrier to users seeking help.

Kicking meth addiction necessarily involves a meth detox as a first step. At Tides Edge Detox at Beaches Recovery, we provide supervised medical detox. Meth withdrawal symptoms can be very painful and severe, and many drug users already know this. Symptoms can start within 24 hours of the last dose and include fever, psychosis, gastric upset, muscle and joint pain and anxiety among others.

After detox, Beaches Recovery in Jacksonville, Florida provides all the tools for a successful recovery. The following are some examples of our treatment programs:

Take the first steps towards alleviating meth abuse symptoms and addiction by calling Beaches Recovery at 866.605.0532 today. Don’t allow meth addiction to terrorize your life any longer.