Methamphetamine is a psycho-stimulant of the amphetamine class of drugs. The effects of the drug, which include increased concentration, energy, and alertness, often lead to users requiring ever increasing doses to achieve the desired effect (tolerance). In larger amounts, the drug can produce feelings of increased self-esteem, euphoria, as well as increased libido. Methamphetamine in pharmaceutical form is a drug that is approved by the FDA for treating some forms of obesity and ADHD under the name of Desoxyn®. Taken as prescribed it can help these conditions, although it's addictive liability significant, as are street forms of the drug (crank, crystal meth, ice).

How is Meth Abused?

Experimentation with methamphetamine often leads to further use due to it's high addictive liability. Meth addicts begin to develop tolerance and psychological dependence with prolonged use. Typically, the drug comes as a crystallized form, and the user smokes, snorts, or injects it to receive an instant and intense sense of euphoria, a boost of energy commonly referred to as a rush. More of the drug has to be used each time to achieve the same level of euphoria and energy, which begins the cycle of abuse.

Meth users will often stay awake for days following a single administration of the drug, however the feeling of euphoria and energy eventually subsides over time, and eventually the meth user will "crash", characterized by extreme fatigue and depression. Often the user will sleep for long periods of time, unless they are extremely addicted to the drug, in which case they may continue using to maintain a high level of the drug in their system so that they do not crash. Eventually, the body and mind simply reach their breaking point, and users who have been awake for days or weeks begin to develop psychoses, or begin acting out in illogical, uncontrollable and sometimes violent ways as the mind struggles to function.

Meth's Destructive Effects

Meth Addiction destroys the tissues inside and outside of the body. It alters the mesolimbic dopamine system of the brain, making it impossible for users to feel pleasure independently from the drug. As the addict continues using more of the drug, the brain's anatomy is literally changed, which can actually be seen with MRI and PET scans of meth users' brains. People that have used and abused methamphetamine for a long period will begin to change in their appearance, as the drug weakens and destroys blood vessels in the body, rendering body tissue unable to repair itself. Visible changes in the appearance of methamphetamine addicts include severe tooth decay, acne, pale skin, lesions on the skin caused by "picking", low body weight, and other symptoms which cause the user to look many years older than they are.

In addition, heavy methamphetamine users have difficulty with short-term memory and concentration, even when active use of the drug is stopped. It can take years for the brain to heal from meth abuse, and some addicts end up with permanent brain damage.

Treatment Options for Meth Addiction

The good news is that many people successfully enter addiction treatment programs and stay off meth for the rest of their lives. The detoxification process for methamphetamine addiction basically involves sleep.  There are no specific pharmacologic interventions medically necessary, however some detox programs will provide medications to help ease the rebound anxiety often associated with methamphetamine withdrawal.  Meth addiction treatment mainly involves cognitive, behavioral, and in most cases spiritual therapeutic processes.

Getting Help

If you or someone you know is addicted to methamphetamine help is available and widespread.  For guidance, assessment and referral services, call our 24/7 helpline at 855-280-4673, we're here to help!