meth addiction

An example of a meth variant that is becoming increasingly common is P2P (phenyl-2-propanone). It is made using phenylacetic acid, which is easier to find, although Alcoholics Anonymous the meth produced using the P2P method is of lower quality. Seeking help for addiction may feel daunting or even scary, but several organizations can provide support.

Are Medications Used in Meth Treatment?

Long-term use of meth can cause significant damage to the brain and the cells that make dopamine as well as to the nerve cells containing serotonin. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) warns that chronic and prolonged meth exposure can damage as many as half of the dopamine-producing cells in the brain and potentially even more of the serotonin-containing nerve cells. Another medication for meth addiction, ibudilast, may reduce some of the pleasurable effects of meth. According to evidence from early clinical trials, anti-methamphetamine monoclonal antibodies may reduce and slow the effects of meth in the brain.

  • Medical intervention during this period is crucial to ensure the individual’s safety and well-being.
  • The least risky (and slowest) way to use meth is to swallow it.
  • It works on the central nervous system and produces intense feelings of euphoria, well-being, and energy.
  • In fact, it is a man-made drug that was originally developed in the early 20th century for medical purposes and was used as a nasal decongestant in inhalers to treat respiratory conditions.

Crystal Meth FAQs

Samet and colleagues 71 provide a comprehensive discussion and =https://ecosoberhouse.com/ comparison of structured interview approaches to diagnosing comorbidity. It’s not an exaggeration to describe the long-term effects of meth use as profound. According to the NIDA, crystal meth can damage nerve terminals and increase the risk for physical and psychological illness (such as Parkinson’s disease). Meth abuse can cause irreversible damage to blood vessels in the brain.

meth addiction

What are the harms of methamphetamine use during pregnancy?

meth addiction

While there is no specific medication approved for treating methamphetamine addiction, some medications can help manage withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings. Research is ongoing to find more effective treatments for meth use disorder,14 but current strategies often involve a combination of medications for mood stabilization and behavioral therapy. Inpatient or residential options involve you staying at a 24-hour facility with intensive professional care, including medical supervision. There, you will likely participate in education sessions, individual and group counseling, and behavior therapies. MA-related psychosis is commonly accompanied by other psychiatric symptoms including anxiety, agitation and insomnia.

meth addiction

What are the risks?

At American Addiction Centers, we provide personalized care and support every step of the way. Our nationwide network of drug and alcohol rehab centers offers a variety of treatment options to meet your individual needs. Our admissions navigators can help you find the right program, verify your insurance, and begin your journey to lasting sobriety.

  • Coming down can cause difficult emotional and physical symptoms, such as depression and insomnia.
  • Some people swallow it in a pill form or smoke it by heating up crystals in a glass bowl or pipe and breathing in the vapors.
  • Smoking meth may lead to respiratory damage and lung complications.
  • A person is more likely to overdose on meth if it is mixed with other drugs, such as synthetic opioids like fentanyl, which is a cheaper drug that is often added to meth without the person’s knowledge.
  • The duration may differ for you depending on how often you use meth.
  • But you can lessen the chances of harmful effects if you use smaller amounts of meth no matter what method you choose.
  • It sends your brain’s dopamine levels into the stratosphere, so to speak.
  • As with other substances that may cause a person to develop an SUD, using meth can lead to physical, mental, and social difficulties.
  • As such, it is imperative that careful consideration of the risks and potential benefits of the use of these medications be undertaken prior to prescribing them to youth with psychotic disturbances secondary to MA use.

When you take a drug, certain genetic factors can increase your risk of developing an addiction.Regular drug use changes your brain chemistry, affecting how you experience pleasure. This can make it difficult to simply stop using the drug once you’ve started. Research also suggests meth addiction that drug checking approaches, such as fentanyl test strips, can help people understand what is in their drug supply before use.

meth addiction

Health Conditions

meth addiction

A combination of medications and therapeutic measures should be employed by highly trained medical, mental health, and addiction treatment professionals. People who regularly inject the drug may suffer from collapsed veins and a higher risk for contracting HIV/AIDS or hepatitis. Snorting meth can damage sinus cavities and nasal passages, and lead to chronic nosebleeds and/or a perpetual runny nose. Smoking meth may lead to respiratory damage and lung complications. If snorting the drug in crystal meth form, the high will come on in three to five minutes; if swallowing methamphetamine, it can take 15 to 20 minutes. The drug’s effects can last anywhere from six to 12 hours, which can lead people to continue using to keep the high going.