The Faces of Meth Addiction

Meth addiction can cause countless physical problems. While many are internal, others are visible for all to see. Seeing the faces of individuals ravaged by meth use can be daunting and disturbing. By understanding what causes the faces of meth, you can truly see the devastating effects of this drug. Beaches Recovery has vast experience treating substance use disorder, addiction to drugs or alcohol. We can help people understand the immediate and long-term effects of drug use, especially meth.

Rotten Teeth

A common sign of meth use is rotten teeth. Receding gums and brown teeth are often seen together in what is known as meth mouth. This happens in part because caustic chemicals in meth dissolve the enamel on the teeth. These chemicals also pull necessary minerals out of the body, making teeth brittle and weak. This increases the risk of chipping, breaking, and cracking. It allows for plaque development leading to tooth decay. This rotting of the tooth’s pulp can lead to a serious infection that affects more than just the mouth. It can cause cardiac arrest.

Meth mouth becomes more pronounced because meth causes cravings for sugary items. Candies and sodas are often the preferred nutrition source of meth users. This increases the speed of tooth and gum decay. To top it off, dental hygiene often suffers when individuals use meth heavily.

Faces of Meth Users May Prematurely Age

Meth use can drastically increase the aging process. The faces of meth addicts often appear far older than their chronological age. This is due to a number of reasons. Weight loss is common among meth users who lose their appetite when abusing meth. Rapid weight loss reduces the fat deposits in the face, creating a gaunt and undernourished look. Lack of nutrition also reduces elasticity in the skin, furthering the damage. One of the forms of therapy that Beaches Recovery offers to individuals struggling with meth addiction is nutritional therapy. This can help clients rebuild their physical health. Some other therapies we offer include:

• Equine-assisted therapy
• EMDR therapy
• Family therapy
• Mindfulness-based treatment
• Trauma therapy
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy
• Dialectical behavior therapy
• Yoga therapy

All of these are designed to bolster a client’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

Sores on the Face are Common

The faces of meth users are often marked with scars and open wounds. This happens when individuals pick or scratch at their own faces when using meth. This often occurs because meth users frequently hallucinate when on the drug.

One of the most common hallucinations is that bugs are living or crawling on or underneath the skin. When users experience this hallucination, they may pick at their skin to remove the bugs. Of course, since this is a hallucination, this picking only serves to mark and damage the skin.

Eye Twitching

Heavy meth use is often accompanied by uncontrollable eye twitching. This twitching can happen multiple times a minute, and there is nothing individuals can do to prevent it. It is worth noting that this twitching happens when users are on the drug and not currently using it.

Treating the Various Faces of Meth at Beaches Recovery

To avoid the physical symptoms of meth addiction, there is only one answer: A meth detox. This breaks the chemical dependency on meth, and it will instantly halt things like eye twitching. Later, the teeth and skin can begin to heal.

After detox, there are several options for addiction treatment. Patients should consider the severity of their addiction, location, and schedule when making a choice. A few of the most popular and effective options for recovery may include one or more of the following:

• Residential program
• Partial hospitalization program (PHP)
• Intensive outpatient program (IOP)
• Outpatient treatment
• Sober living program

Meth can do more than harm your face: It can negatively impact your entire life. Thankfully, addiction doesn’t have to control your life anymore. Call 866.605.0532, or contact us online to learn more about Beaches Recovery in Jacksonville, Florida, and how treatment can bring health and sobriety and a much better face.