Meth is a highly addictive substance that can have detrimental effects on the body. This artificial stimulant is normally found in the form of a crystal that is either blue or white. When smoked, injected, or snorted, meth gives people a feeling of euphoria. But as individuals continue to use it, they increase their tolerance, which drives them to use more to get their desired high. If you want to dig deeper into the effects of meth, we have all the details you need to know. Las Vegas Recovery Center offers programs to help overcome addiction.
What Meth Does
Meth increases the dopamine levels in the brain, which is a chemical responsible for feelings of pleasure. This is the reason why meth can be so addictive. Having a very high level of dopamine in the body is toxic, especially for individuals with physical ailments and other co-occurring disorders. Aside from making one feel euphoric, the effects of meth also include:
- Increased physical activity
- Reduced fatigue
- Reduced appetite
- Increased aggressiveness
There are many mental and physical effects that meth exerts on the human body and mind.
Mental Effects of Meth
Addiction can create a host of problems due to the idea of a false reward in using drugs or alcohol. People often mistake the removal of their cravings as a reward instead of it being a sign of drug addiction. People who use meth have a tendency to neglect important aspects of their life that can include:
- Work
- Family
- Romantic relationships
- School
- Hobbies
Aside from emotional and social issues that arise, the effects of meth abuse on one’s brain are also devastating, as it changes the way it works. Long-term users of meth can suffer from damage to the parts of their brain that deal with emotion and memory. This can make way for issues such as:
- Mood swings
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Violence
In many cases, it may even lead to psychosis, which is a serious mental disorder characterized by paranoia, aggression, and hearing or seeing things that are not there.
Physical Effects of Meth
Methamphetamines are stimulants that can increase heart rate and blood pressure. When these are increased, it can be dangerous to the cardiovascular system. People who use meth put themselves at a higher risk for heart, lung, and kidney disease.
Individuals that are dependent on meth also often neglect their hygiene, and in time, this can make way for infections. Meth users can also suffer from “meth mouth,” a dental condition that refers to extensive tooth loss, tooth decay, and gum lesions.
Perhaps one of the most noticeable physical manifestations of meth abuse is the addiction itself. When someone uses meth over a prolonged period, they develop a physical dependence, which means they will go through withdrawal when they stop using it. Withdrawal may present itself through a dry mouth, restlessness, fatigue, or sleepiness. This is why it’s crucial to undergo a medically-supervised detox.
The Effects of Meth Are Extremely Dangerous
One of the most troubling facts about meth addiction is that its effects are long-lasting. Even when one goes through therapy and becomes sober, some of the effects of meth do not go away.
For example, psychosis can continue to plague a person years after they’ve quit using the drug. Excessive damage to long-term users in their kidney, brain, lungs, heart, and teeth may also never go away. Thankfully, its minor effects on the cardiovascular system do not persist, although it may take a while to heal.
Las Vegas Recovery Center Can Help You Overcome Meth Addiction
If you are alarmed about the effects of meth on your physical and mental health, it’s important to know that the only solution is to stop its use. You must give your body a chance to recover. Las Vegas Recovery Center can give you the assistance you need on your road to recovery through our dedicated staff and state of the art facility. Call Las Vegas Recovery Center at 844.332.2076 to find out more about our admission programs.
