Understanding the Risks of Meth Usage

Methamphetamine is a highly addictive drug that can cause significant issues in an individual's life. This drug is often made in unsafe circumstances and cut with harmful additives that can cause dangerous consequences. Understanding the risks of meth usage can help you decide to get clean. West Coast Recovery Centers offers treatment for many different types of drugs and substances. Our clinical team is trained to handle the side effects and help you work through detox. Together, we can make a plan for you to live a healthier life. 

Getting into recovery when you have struggled with addiction to meth may seem daunting. It is important to note the risks of a specific drug on an individual's quality of life and health. We can help you work through each stage of recovery. Getting sober is possible, and with the right care team and providers, it is easier. Being educated is one of the best ways to make informed and healthy decisions for your life.  If you or a loved one are struggling with meth usage, understanding more about the drug will give you the power to make decisions based on your recovery and health. 

What Is Meth?

Methamphetamine (meth) is a lab-made stimulant that is highly addictive and can lead to serious side effects. This drug is often sold as a shiny bluish-white rock or crystal, and may be called “crystal meth.” Meth can be snorted as a powder, smoked, or injected. This drug is produced in labs and sold without regulation, making this substance incredibly dangerous. With a lack of regulation, individuals may purchase meth in inconsistent doses or unknowingly purchase a substance that is contaminated with dangerous additives, like fentanyl. Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid that is used to treat pain and can cause an overdose to happen quickly. 

When an individual is under the influence of meth, short-term effects can include euphoria, increased alertness, and high levels of energy. Yet, these seemingly positive effects are also mixed with feelings of paranoia, anxiety, rapid or irregular heart rate, and increased risks of stroke. While meth can make you feel good in the short term, it is highly addictive and dangerous to consume. Meth usage often spirals into substance use disorder (SUD) and can overtake your life. Understanding what risks are associated with your body and health can help you decide to take control and get sober from meth. 

Risks of Meth Usage on Your Health

There are many risks of long-term and short-term usage of meth. In addition to the short-term effects mentioned earlier, those under the influence of meth may experience increased motivation and confidence as well as decrease their appetite. Euphoric effects are often followed quickly by a crash, which can be painful. Many people may binge use meth to avoid this crash as long as possible. Meanwhile, repeated binge use of meth may lead to non-fatal overdose as well as overdose resulting in death. 

Long-term effects of meth usage can be incredibly damaging to an individual's quality of life. When you continue to use meth, you increase your risk of substance dependency as well as the development of SUD and addiction. Meanwhile, addiction can overtake your life and make it hard to do the things that you enjoy or need to do. Meth can also worsen symptoms of mental health disorders, such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, and psychosis. It can also lower your brain's cognitive functioning and make it more difficult for you to learn or retain information. Furthermore, long-term meth usage puts you at risk of infections such as infective endocarditis, and HIV. This is due to the materials used to consume the meth. Alongside this, recurrent meth use may also cause heart health issues and dental decay. 

Getting Sober from Meth

The risks that meth puts on your body, brain, and overall health are why it is so important to seek help if you are struggling with meth addiction. Treatment can give you the skills that you need to find new ways to cope. It can also help you through the process of getting sober and detoxing from methamphetamine. West Coast Recovery Centers offers comprehensive treatment for meth addiction. Oftentimes, this may start with detox, where clients can come off the substance with the support of clinical providers to help work through withdrawal symptoms. 

After detox, many people transfer into inpatient care to help their bodies and brains adjust to getting sober. Treatment will include therapy that will help you get to the root of why you turn to substances and teach you healthy coping skills instead. It can also get you medicated for external issues, such as mental health disorders, to help alleviate your struggles. Getting sober may be difficult, but with the right care team, it is possible to live a healthier life. 

Methamphetamine can cause a lot of issues in someone's life. SUD can make people fall behind on the things they need to do and not be able to do the things they want to do. Meth has many risks associated with its usage. Short-term and long-term risks include stress on your heart, as well as the risk of infection. Meth may also cause someone to overdose, and lead to stroke or even death. Understanding the risks associated with meth usage will allow you to make the best decisions for your health. West Coast Recovery Centers can help you in your journey to recovery and sobriety. To learn more about meth addiction, call us today at (760) 492-6509.