Methamphetamine is often compared to drugs like cocaine because it falls within the same stimulant category. But unlike cocaine, meth has also been associated with a significant decrease in inhibitions, making its user act out more wildly than cocaine. Its effects are also known to last much longer at 4 to 15 hours, while cocaine only lasts up to 30 minutes. Some of the short-term effects of methamphetamine use include:
- Inability to feel sleepiness, drowsiness, or fatigue
- Heightened level of activity
- Extended wakefulness
- Decreased or absent appetite
- Euphoria and elation
- Increased respiratory and heart rate
- Increased body warmth
- Willingness to take risks
- Increased sexual desire
- Uncharacteristic talkativeness
- Argumentative behavior
- Intense focus
- Delusions and hallucinations
The initial methamphetamine rush, a pivotal moment for users, triggers an intense burst of physiological reactions such as accelerated heart rate, increased respiratory rate, and a surge of jittery energy. This rush, significantly longer than cocaine’s fleeting high, can extend up to 30 minutes, paving the way for a profound euphoric state. Unlike the short-lived euphoria from cocaine, methamphetamine induces a prolonged high, marked by heightened well-being and intense euphoria. Users become more talkative, often displaying aggressive behavior and impatience in conversations.
This compelling euphoria drives individuals towards binge usage to maintain the exhilarating high, leading to repeated doses as the initial euphoria fades. Each subsequent dose reignites the rush and sustains the high, potentially extending the methamphetamine effects for up to 15 days. Once the body becomes desensitized to the stimulant, users may enter a phase known as ‘tweaking,’ characterized by hallucinations, profound exhaustion, and a disturbing sensation of bugs crawling under the skin.
As the methamphetamine high dissipates, users are left feeling lethargic, famished, and dehydrated, culminating in a crash that can span three days, often resulting in extended periods of sleep. The aftermath, or hangover, leaves individuals feeling physically, emotionally, and mentally depleted. To counteract these adverse effects, users may seek another dose, perpetuating the cycle of abuse. This cycle highlights the potent addictive nature of methamphetamine, underscoring the critical need for awareness and interventions in combating methamphetamine addiction and its devastating impacts on health and well-being.
Some of the long-term effects of the stimulant drug include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Psychosis
- Intense fatigue
- Confusion
- Mood disturbances
- Insomnia
- Violent behavior
- Paranoia
- Repetitive motor activity
- Deficit in cognitive and physical function
- Memory loss
- Severe dental problems
- Weight loss
- Impotence
It’s also worth noting that methamphetamine abusers are more likely to contract AIDS due to stimulant drug use. This isn’t only because of the sharing of paraphernalia like syringes but also because their willingness to take risks and the decreased inhibitions make it more likely for them to engage in promiscuous sexual acts.
Meth Dependence
The longer that a person uses meth, the stronger the dependence becomes. The dependence reliance makes it challenging to perform daily responsibilities without the drug, while the addiction imposes heightened cravings to keep taking the stimulant as the effects start to wane. Extended methamphetamine use makes it nearly impossible for abusers to function without the drug, so binges are becoming more common. It isn’t uncommon for meth addicts to fall into financial turmoil due to their addiction or suffer meth withdrawal. At a certain point, when all monetary resources have been exhausted in pursuit of the next fix, abusers will turn to theft and other illegal activities to sustain their expensive habit.
What Does Meth Do to the Brain?
There are two main ways this stimulant drug affects the brain, and the first is through direct interference with the neurotransmitter dopamine. The medication facilitates increased dopamine concentrations in the brain’s reward centers, which in turn reinforces drug use. Over time, this pathway can be so abused that the user no longer feels any pleasure unless through the drug. Another way that meth affects the brain is through the function of microglial cells, which work with microglial cells’ function, which remove dead neurons. With meth, these cells’ activity becomes far more aggressive, attacking even healthy cells. The result is that brain areas are killed and depleted, especially those involving memory and emotional regulation.
Treatment for Methamphetamine Addiction
Methamphetamine addiction can be challenging, but recovery is possible with the right support and treatment. Here are some steps you may want to take toward a brighter future:
- Detox: The first crucial step is detoxification, where the body is rid of methamphetamine and its toxins. Our experienced medical team provides comprehensive care during this phase to ensure a safe and comfortable detox process.
- Treatment: Following detox, clients enter the crystal meth addiction treatment phase, where they receive evidence-based therapies and support. This often takes place in the form of inpatient and outpatient substance abuse treatment programs that offer a variety of therapies.
- Ongoing Follow-Up: Recovery is an ongoing journey, and continuous support is needed for long-term sobriety. Finding a sponsor and joining sober support groups like NA can ensure you maintain the recovery you worked hard for during treatment.
Our Meth Addiction Treatment in Dallas, TX
If you or a loved one is struggling with methamphetamine addiction, please reach out to us. Our dedicated team is here to offer the care, guidance, and support needed for a successful recovery journey. We offer multiple meth rehab and drug rehab programs to help you break free from meth addiction including:
- Extended Care and Sober Living: For those who need a more intensive meth rehab in Dallas, extended care is a great option. It combines sober living with a partial hospitalization program so you have comprehensive support during early meth recovery.
- Partial Hospitalization: If you are struggling with moderate to severe meth abuse, our meth partial hospitalization program in Dallas can help. PHP allows you to receive intensive meth treatment during the day while returning home at night for those with evening and nighttime responsibilities.
- Intensive Outpatient: For those with mild to moderate meth addiction, our meth intensive outpatient program in Dallas provides a flexible yet effective option. You’ll complete treatment 3 days a week for 3 hours each day allowing you to fulfill a variety of responsibilities at home while you still receive the support needed during early recovery.
Get Started With Lighthouse Recovery
Break free from the grip of meth addiction and substance use and ignite a new chapter of recovery with Lighthouse Recovery’s comprehensive treatment programs in Texas. From personalized Dallas partial hospitalization to intensive outpatient services and an extensive range of evidence-based therapies, our dedicated team is committed to helping you reclaim your life. Contact us today to learn more or get started.
