How to Get a Meth Addict Help

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Meth use has been rising again in recent years. Learn how to get a meth addict help.

Even though it is well known that meth is a dangerous drug, people are still using this synthetic stimulant. Meth subsists of toxic ingredients. These, plus the drug’s impact on the brain, cause a wide range of damage to mental and physical health.

When someone you care about is in the grip of this potent drug you may feel helpless. They are caught in the cycle of addiction. The only way to avoid the painful withdrawals that come with the crash is to seek meth out again and again. It is very hard to break that cycle and impossible without expert treatment.

Learn about this drug and its adverse effects. If someone in your life is struggling with meth abuse or addiction, they need help. Keep reading to become informed about how to get a meth addict treatment so they can begin to restore their health.

About Meth

Meth is a copy or analog of amphetamine, a stimulant drug. It is made from a mix of household cleaners and other ingredients you would find in your home or garage. These are combined with the stimulant to create an intense drug that is quite dangerous.

Meth, also known as crystal meth, ice, speed, crystal, and crank, is a highly addictive stimulant. The drug can be taken is different ways. Meth can be smoked, taken in pill form, snorted, or injected.

Meth is very potent, its stimulant affect being three times stronger than cocaine. The brain quickly becomes altered due to meth use, having a powerful impact on the reward center.

The dopamine rush that comes with using meth causes a strong sense of euphoria. This comes with a surge of energy and an adrenaline rush. This is why people seek out this drug, to experience that rush.

The drug soon turns against the person, though. After the high, they will begin to feel adverse effects, called the meth crash or “comedown.” These symptoms include:

Agitation
Extreme itchiness.
Anxiety
Sleep problems.
Cravings
Feeling empty, no sense of identity.
Lethargy
Hallucinations and delusions.
Paranoia
Thoughts of suicide.

Meth addiction happens very quickly. It is also one of the hardest drugs to quit. Without treatment and support it is next to impossible to break free from this substance.

Meth can cause a lot of damage to someone’s life. There are many serious problems that using meth can cause, such as:

Troubled relationships.
Loss of a job.
Meth mouth.
Mental health issues.
Early aging of the skin.
Sores that take a long time to heal.
Severe weight loss.
Heart attack.
Seizure
Stroke
Suicide attempts

Signs of Meth Abuse

When someone you care about is using meth they will begin to show certain signs of drug abuse. These might include:

Being impulsive.
Risky behaviors.
Being very keyed up and hyper.
Memory problems.
Droopy skin.
Loss of appetite.
Insomnia
Legal problems.
Items used, such as baggies, lighters, short straws, syringes, spoons, foil strips, and hollowed out pens.
Withdrawal symptoms.

Can Meth Cause Mental Illness?

When someone begins to increase the meth use, he or she may begin to feel highly anxious and irritable. They may even begin to become aggressive or violent. Some may begin to “tweak,” which means they are binging on the drug. This can cause them to begin showing signs of mental illness.

Meth-induced psychosis features intense hallucinations, seeing and hearing things that are not there. Paranoia is very common in heavy meth users. The drug causes them to feel like someone is spying on them, or is out to harm them. Having delusional thoughts is also a common symptom, which features a break from reality. Meth users will experience the signs of psychosis even while not on the drug.

What is Meth Mouth?

Meth mouth is the term used to describe the severe damage to a user’s teeth. The level of damage will depend upon the extent of meth use. Meth mouth is often seen in heavy meth users, not those who use it on occasion. Women meth users have higher rates of dental decay and tooth loss than males.

Signs and symptoms of meth mouth may include:

Poor overall dental health.
Loose teeth.
Sensitive teeth.
Inflamed gums.
Dry mouth and tongue.
Broken or fractured teeth.

In many cases, the person will wait far too long before seeking the help of a dentist. By the time they reach out for help too much damage has been done. So much so that it is very hard to save the teeth. Long periods of dental neglect can take a toll, so full mouth extractions are common. After that, they will be fitted with dentures.

How to Get Your Loved One Help

When it is clear that your loved one is struggling with a meth problem, it is very important to get them help sooner rather than later. You can assist them by:

Doing some research about the drug and meth treatment.
Holding an intervention if needed.
Checking with their insurance to see what treatment services are covered.
Going with them to meet with a treatment center admissions agent.
Help them arrange childcare in their absence while in treatment.
Being a source of support for them during and after treatment.

It is possible to kick a meth habit, but only with expert support. Help your loved one find a good treatment program and get the details of their health coverage. These are the ways you can be of support to them.

Ken Seeley Communities Provides Treatment for Meth Addiction

Ken Seeley Communities is an substance use treatment program that provides a wide range of care options. Ken Seeley offers interventionist services, for which he is well known. The treatment complex includes detox, outpatient rehab, residential rehab, and sober living housing. KSC is ready to help your loved one break the grip of meth. We are happy to review treatment options and health plan coverage. Please contact KSC today for more details at (877) 744-0502.