Table of Contents
Physical Effects of Meth Addiction
The Short And Long Term Effects Of Meth Addiction
Effects of meth on the brain and body can range from moderate to severe.
Problems like addiction, dental issues, skin sores, weight loss, psychiatric disorders, and more typically develop as a result of this deadly substance.
Data from the NSDUH 2020 shows that over 2.5 million people in the United States used methamphetamine last year.
More people than ever, people are wondering about the physical effects of methamphetamine addiction.
What are the Physical Effects of Meth?
You may be wondering, “what are the effects of methamphetamine?”.
Meth use brings about brief waves of pleasure and euphoria.
However, these effects of meth on the body are short-lived, and users begin to experience strong cravings to recreate these feelings.
This pattern of use can quickly turn into dependence followed by addiction.
Meth is the abbreviated name for crystal methamphetamine.
There are many street names for meth, including crystal meth, ice, and crank.
These highly addictive drugs are classified as psychostimulants that can be smoked, snorted, or injected.
Prolonged meth abuse leads to serious mental and physical health problems.
Meth not only damages the brain but also causes both external and internal damage to the body.
Some physical effects of methamphetamine may be irreversible.
What Are The Physical Effects of Meth?
The physical effects of meth can be extreme, ranging from hallucinations and paranoia to heart attack and death from overdose.
Meth is a powerful central nervous system stimulant.
This drug forces the body into unnatural bursts of energy, leading to long-term physical deterioration.
Some risks remain even after stopping use.
- Dental problems (known as meth mouth)
- Brain damage
- Mental health deterioration
- & More
Effects of Meth on The Body
Meth physical effects can be behavioral and mental in the short term.
Long-term use can cause dangerous and even deadly physical damage.
While some effects like meth mouth and meth sores are widely known,
many people underestimate the permanent harm meth can cause to physical wellbeing.
Short-Term Effects of Meth
Methamphetamine physical effects in the short term can help identify substance abuse.
Some of the most common short-term physical side effects of meth include:
- Hyperexcitability
- Dilated pupils
- Bizarre behavior
- Increased body temperature
- Erratic heartbeat
- Extreme irritability
- Sustained periods without sleep
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
- Nausea and vomiting
- Panic and psychosis
- Violent behavior
Meth physical effects can be longer-lasting as well.
Long-Term Effects of Meth
Long-term meth use can result in severe and lasting physical damage, including:
- Extreme weight loss
- Serious dental problems (meth mouth)
- Decreased motor skills
- Impaired brain function
- Easily distracted behavior
- Memory loss
- Skin sores and scars
- Violent or erratic behavior
- Dramatic mood swings
- Hallucinations, paranoia, psychosis
Fight Back Against Meth Addiction
Get evidence-based treatment to overcome meth addiction at Renaissance Recovery.
Call our team now to learn more about the process.
What Does Meth Do to Your Body?
Some of the most serious long-term physical effects of meth abuse include:
- Skin Complaints
- Meth Mouth
- Cardiovascular Damage
Click each tab below to learn more about these effects of meth use.
Get Insurance-Covered Addiction Treatment
Meth Addiction Treatment At Renaissance Recovery
While medication-assisted treatment is effective for treating many substance use disorders, there are currently no FDA-approved drugs that prolong abstinence from meth or inhibit further meth usage.
Instead, behavioral therapies are the most effective treatments for meth addiction, specifically cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and contingency management (CM).
The Matrix Model can also be applied to stimulant use disorders like meth addiction. This involves comprehensive treatment over a four-month period, including:
- Individual counseling
- Behavioral therapy
- Family counseling
- 12-step programs
- Drug testing
- Incentivized health behaviors
If you need meth rehab, we’ve got you covered here at Renaissance Recovery. We’ll start your treatment by personalizing a treatment plan so you can confidently move forward through detox and withdrawal.
You’ll then benefit from a variety of tailored behavioral therapies, including mental health treatment and more. If you or a loved one is addicted to meth, help is available at Renaissance Recovery.
Call our friendly admissions team today at 877-853-9801 to start addressing the psychological and physical effects of all forms of methamphetamine.
Don’t Battle Addiction On Your Own
At Renaissance Recovery, we’re here to help you overcome addiction so you can maintain a sober, happy life free from drugs and alcohol.
Our Meth Addiction Treatment Programs
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Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
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Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
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Sober Living Homes and Communities
Sources
- https://www.justice.gov/archive/ndic/pubs5/5049/5049p.pdf
- https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/methamphetamine/what-are-immediate-short-term-effects-methamphetamine-misuse
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3083448
THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE
At Renaissance Recovery our goal is to provide evidence-based treatment to as many individuals as possible. Give us a call today to verify your insurance coverage or to learn more about paying for addiction treatment.
