What are the Long-Term Effects of Meth?
Millions of people struggle with meth addiction, unable to break free from the pain it causes. The long-term effects of meth addiction can be devastating, leading to psychosis, brain damage, muscle breakdown, and severe mood swings. However, recovery is possible. There are many effective treatments available, offering hope and support to help individuals reclaim their lives and overcome addiction..
Understand Meth Addiction
Millions of people struggle with meth addiction every day. This is especially true in the United States with those who use multiple substances. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “[M]ethamphetamine is the second most commonly found drug in people who fatally overdose, after synthetic (lab-made) opioids. People overdose on methamphetamine alone or from a combination of methamphetamine and other drugs, particularly the opioids fentanyl and heroin. People may take these drugs together on purpose, or opioids may be added as a hidden ingredient in illicit methamphetamine.”
Millions of people struggle with meth addiction alone in silence. This is often due to the stigma they feel they’ll face if they admit that they have a problem. Many of these people also feel like they have failed in some way. The truth is that they have not failed; they have a disease that is out of their control. This is the disease of addiction. This disease is often hard to overcome, especially when it comes to the intense and severe signs and symptoms of meth addiction.
The Long-Term Effects of Meth Addiction
The long term effects of meth addiction will vary from person to person. However, one can look out for many universal symptoms of meth addiction. The following are just a few to watch for:
- Experiencing physical ailments such as headaches, body aches, and gastrointestinal problems
- Losing interest in activities once enjoyed
- Isolating away from family and close friends
- Experiencing trouble at work or school
- Feeling anxious, nervous, or overly “stressed out”
- Having feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, and helplessness
- Not being able to stop once starting using meth
- Having trouble with sleep cycles, including sleeping too much and not sleeping enough (hypersomnia and insomnia)
- Loss of appetite and a lack of care regarding physical appearance and wellbeing
- Exhibiting excessive mood swings
- Causing harm to oneself or others
- Having suicidal ideations
These symptoms are significant and can be deadly. This is why reaching out for professional help as soon as possible is vital. Doing so could mean the difference between short-term side effects and long-term effects of meth addiction.
Meth addiction will rarely get better without some type of professional intervention. In fact, the long-term effects of meth addiction are almost sure to arise if one is unable to stop using in time.
According to Methamphetamine by Doctors Yasaei and Saadabadi, “The use of methamphetamine in higher doses can induce psychosis, bleeding in the brain, skeletal muscle breakdown, and seizures. Moreover, it can cause violent behavior, mood swings, and psychosis such as paranoia, delirium, auditory and visual hallucination, and delusions when used chronically. Chronic long-term methamphetamine use can be highly addictive, and if it is discontinued abruptly, it might lead to withdrawal symptoms that can be persistent for months after use.” The good news is there is a solution for the effects of meth addiction.
How to Recover From the Effects of Meth Addiction
There are many effective modalities to assist in recovery from meth addiction. These modalities come from many areas of the recovery realm. This includes psychotherapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), holistic healing methods like yoga therapy and mindfulness meditation, and experiential therapies like nature immersion therapy and art therapy.
Art therapy can be particularly beneficial for recovery from the effects of meth. This is especially true if there are co-occurring mental health issues (which, are quite common). According to Cureus, “Art therapy is used most commonly to treat mental illnesses and can aid in controlling manifestations correlated with psychosocially challenging behaviors, slowing cognitive decline, and enhancing the quality of life. [It] can help people express themselves more freely, improve their mental health, and improve interpersonal relationships. The basis of art therapy is established on the idea that people can recover and feel better via artistic expression.”
Whether it be art therapy or another modality, the key is to find the right treatment plan and stick to it for the long term. This is how one can heal at the cellular level and avoid a relapse.
Long-Term Success at The Phoenix Recovery Center
Here at The Phoenix Recovery Center, we believe in long-term success over short-term “fixes” when it comes to meth addiction. That is why all of our recovery plans are individualized and comprehensive with a focus on the future.
Recovery is out there. It’s time to go out and get it.
The short-term effects of meth use are very visible (paranoia and insomnia, for example), but the long-term physical and psychological effects are often overlooked. It is important to understand those long-term effects so that one can better understand what it takes to fully recover. If you or a loved one are struggling with issues of addiction, mental illness, or co-occurring disorders, we can help get you on the positive path toward long-term recovery right away. You don’t have to go through this process alone.To begin your healing journey complete this short form or call The Phoenix Recovery Center at (801) 438-3185.
