Methamphetamines are a group of drugs used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). They also are prescribed for patients with narcolepsy.
These drugs are very dangerous when misused or abused, as they can cause many problems. They can lead to withdrawal symptoms, long-term health effects and even death.
Stimulant
Stimulants increase the activity of brain chemicals dopamine (which makes you feel euphoric) and norepinephrine (which gives you energy and gets your brain and body ready for action). They also cause a feeling of intense focus.
People often use stimulants to help them stay awake and alert, or to reduce appetite. However, taking stimulants in excess can cause serious health problems, including high blood pressure, rapid breathing and heart disease.
Methamphetamines are a powerful and addictive drug that can cause serious problems for the user and their family. It can also be dangerous for pregnant women and their babies.
Crystal meth, a form of the drug that looks like glass fragments or shiny bluish-white rocks, can be injected, snorted or smoked. It’s made by mixing amphetamine with a wide range of household substances that are highly toxic to the body.
Withdrawal symptoms
Methamphetamines work by temporarily altering a person’s brain chemistry. They make their brain release more dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that’s closely associated with pleasure and happiness.
When you stop using meth, your brain needs to adjust back to normal levels of these neurotransmitters. This is why meth withdrawal symptoms are so uncomfortable and intense.
Those who suffer from methamphetamine addiction should seek professional treatment to help them safely and comfortably detox from the drug. The team at a rehab or detox facility will offer medical supervision and medications to ease physical symptoms.
Withdrawal symptoms can be incredibly painful, and they can lead to dangerous situations like psychosis or depression. These are the reasons why a lot of people who want to quit using methamphetamines choose to go to a residential treatment center. The staff at these centers are trained to help with drug withdrawal and also provide other treatment for mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.
Long-term effects
Long-term methamphetamine use can have dramatic effects on a person’s mental health. Over time, frequent methamphetamine use depletes a person’s dopamine and serotonin levels, leaving them feeling depressed and anxious.
Frequent methamphetamine abuse can also lead to a person’s brain learning that the drug is needed to feel good. This is called dependency and can make it more difficult to stop using.
Methamphetamines can also cause serious psychotic behavior, including hallucinations and paranoia. This can be accompanied by other symptoms like feeling insects crawling underneath the user’s skin and a constant desire to scratch themselves.
In addition, methamphetamines can damage the glial cells in the brain, resulting in a reduction in motor speed and verbal reasoning abilities. This could put a person at an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease later in life.
Addiction
Addiction to Methamphetamines is a chronic, difficult-to-treat condition. With repeated use, the drug damages dopamine receptors in the brain, causing people to become dependent on it for pleasure and a sense of well-being.
Methamphetamines are also extremely addictive because they create a feeling of "high" by speeding up the function of certain areas of the brain that control energy, focus, attention and pleasure. This is why it is so hard to quit using Methamphetamines.
During recovery from a meth addiction, it is important to seek help from a professional to deal with withdrawal symptoms and prevent relapse. This can be done through online counseling services, phone and video therapy, or in-person counseling.
A medically supervised detox program can help someone overcome the physical side effects of meth abuse while providing around-the-clock care to ensure that their vital signs are monitored and treatments are tailored to meet their specific needs. When the detox process is complete, patients can continue their treatment in a rehab facility to learn about how to avoid relapse and maintain a long-term sobriety.
