What Is Crystal Meth?
Crystal meth, or methamphetamine, is a man-made, highly addictive drug in the stimulant classification. Meth has long term effects on the body. Crystal meth has many street names, including: crystal, ice, speed, crank, tweak, chalk, tina, gak, batu, glass, cristy, blade, shards, quartz, etc.
How Is Meth Abused?
Any way of using crystal meth produces negative short term and long term effects. Meth can be used by way of smoking, snorting (inhaling through the nostrils), intravenously (injected), or orally. Smoking and injecting meth gives users the high more quickly, as the meth is able to enter the bloodstream at a fast rate— causing an intense rush that lasts for a few minutes. Snorting or orally ingesting methamphetamine produces effects that are less intense. Snorting methamphetamine takes about three to five minutes for the effects to take place, while oral ingestion takes about fifteen to twenty minutes.
What Happens If You Smoke Meth Everyday?
Like most addictive substances, using meth signals the brain to flood with dopamine which is a chemical that causes a feeling of reward or pleasure. With continued use, methamphetamine disrupts the brain’s natural creation and release of dopamine. This results in feelings of sadness and depression without the drug, because their brains are dependent on meth to create and release dopamine. This deficit and dependency can cause severe, sometimes irreversible cognitive impairments, which is why people who struggle with meth addiction need medical care and support in a drug addiction treatment center.
Short Term Effects of Meth Use
The short term effects produced by doing methamphetamines include the following:
- Euphoria
- Increased energy
- Hyper-vigilance
- Restlessness
- Feelings of improved intellect and ability to solve problems
- Erratic and violent behavior
- Loss of appetite
- Significant weight loss
- Severe mood swings
- Unpredictable behavior
- Tremors or convulsions
- Elevated blood pressure
- Extreme paranoia
- Rapid heart rate
- Irregular heart rhythm
Continuous or consistent use of crystal meth can cause severe anxiety, paranoia, insomnia, suicidal ideation and even homicidal ideation. Like any illicit drug, methamphetamine is illegal in the United States, but this does not stop people from selling or buying meth. It is very common for users of methamphetamines to show psychotic symptoms when they are high, or after their high has faded.
“Tweaking” is a word used to describe this psychotic state of meth users who feel intense cravings, despair, delusions, and altered perceptions of reality. Many meth users follow a binge/crash cycle, where they will continue to take meth to avoid the “come down” symptoms, often going multiple days on end without food, water, or sleep. Even worse than the unsavory immediate effects of the drug, stand terrifying long term effects of using crystal meth.
Long Term Effects of Meth Abuse
Crystal meth can cause severe physical and psychological damage. With continued use, the negative short term effects of using meth will grow in intensity and severity. Some of the long term effects of crystal meth abuse include the following:
- Persistent psychotic symptoms
- Delusions
- Severe paranoia
- Hallucinations
- Increased mental health issues (like depression, anxiety, isolation, etc.)
- Confusion and erratic behavior
- Distorted reality and sensations
- Feeling of bugs crawling on the skin
- Feeling of “glass” or other foreign objects underneath the surface of the skin
- Body sores and wounds from picking at the skin
- Infections from self-inflicted wounds
- Breathing problems associated with meth inhalation
- Damages blood vessels throughout the body, including the heart and brain
- Deteriorates body tissue
- Outward signs of accelerated aging in users
- Users often develop acne
- Skin loses elasticity
- Tooth decay (“meth mouth”)
- Blocks the body’s ability to heal
- Stroke
- Coma
- Cardiac arrest
- Death
Long-term meth use is linked to potentially permanent changes in brain structure and function. Studies have shown that chronic meth users have decreased gray matter in areas of the brain responsible for decision-making, impulse control, and emotion regulation. These changes can result in impulsive and risky behavior, difficulty regulating emotions, and an increased risk of relapse. Not only can meth impact a person’s ability to think and reason, but it can also trigger the onset of psychosis and schizophrenia.
However, recent research shows that those who are able to abstain from using meth can actually see an increase in gray matter. For this reason, finding help for meth addiction can not only reestablish a person’s general health and wellness, but it can also begin the process of healing the brain.
What Happens During Methamphetamine Withdrawal?
Withdrawal symptoms from crystal meth usually begin around twenty-four hours after the last use, peaks at roughly 7-10 days, and lasts for about 20 days. Crystal meth can cause major symptoms of withdrawal for people who are dependent on the drug.
Withdrawal symptoms from meth include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Psychosis
- Paranoia
- Intense cravings
- Loss of energy or a “crash”
- Itchy eyes
- Sleep pattern disruption (oversleeping or severe insomnia)
- Jitters
- Increased appetite
Withdrawal symptoms are most commonly experienced emotionally and psychologically, with fewer major physical implications. In general, the most significant meth withdrawal symptoms are linked to psychosis which often become present during the detoxification process.
How To Recover From Meth Addiction?
Using meth causes serious harm, which is why it requires the safety and support of licensed professionals to provide comprehensive addiction treatment to overcome a meth addiction. Meth abuse disrupts every aspect of life, including sleeping and eating patterns.
This is why people who suffer from meth addiction require treatment to help them re-learn healthy life skills. In doing so, individuals can establish a sense of self-sufficiency and inner motivation to build a happy, healthy, and successful life in sobriety.
Crystal Meth Addiction Treatment in Spokane, Washington
Royal Life Centers at Spokane Heights offers treatment programs that are designed to follow guests from medical detox, through the stages of recovery. Our treatment options perfectly transition guests from an inpatient level of care onwards, preparing them for independence. During our programs, people will work with medical professionals, licensed therapists, and case managers who assist them with any and all of their needs.
Meth Detox in Spokane, WA
Royal Life Centers at Spokane Heights is experienced in removing meth from the body safely and effectively. Detoxification from meth is best done in an inpatient detox facility, like Royal Life Centers at Spokane Heights. We provide 24/7 direct supervision of our guests by medical professionals, with doctors available around the clock. With the psychotic symptoms that present themselves during meth detox, it is extremely important to detox within a controlled and safe environment.
Ongoing Care For Meth Addiction
After completing detox, guests can transition into our residential treatment program in Spokane, Washington. During residential inpatient treatment, we provide intensive clinical and therapeutic services to assist individuals in addressing the underlying causes of their addiction. Our experienced and compassionate staff members work closely with each guest to develop personalized treatment plans that address their unique needs. At this point in the treatment process, guests begin healing in individual therapy and group sessions where guests can learn more skills for recovery and connect with others who are going through similar struggles.
After inpatient treatment, guests are also welcome to participate in our aftercare and outpatient treatment programs at our facility in Mead, Washington, Royal Life Centers at Cascade Heights. During our outpatient programs, guests continue their time in one-one-one counseling and group therapy. We also incorporate holistic therapies into our program, such as meditation, yoga, and art therapy. These practices help guests learn coping mechanisms and manage stress in healthy ways, which can be especially beneficial in recovering from meth addiction.
Each of our ongoing care services provide a supportive and understanding environment for individuals to share their experiences and receive encouragement from clinicians and peers throughout their recovery journey.
Start Your Recovery Journey Today!
If you or someone you know is struggling with meth addiction, please reach out to our admissions team by calling (888) 907-0898. We are available to take your call 24 hours, 7 days a week. Because We Care.
