Methamphetamine is a highly-addictive stimulant that rapidly increases dopamine in the brain and goes by street names such as: meth, crystal meth, ice, speed, tina, crank or crystal. The increased dopamine rush from taking meth can have sought-after effects, such as euphoria and increased energy levels. Yet, methamphetamine crosses the blood-brain barrier so effectively that it often results in a crash that leaves the user irritable and depressed. Methamphetamine’s white powder or clear crystals have a bitter taste and no particular smell. Although methamphetamine use can have life-long consequences, treatment is available and can be very effective.
Amphetamine was the parent drug to methamphetamine. Historically, soldiers in World War II would use amphetamine-type stimulants to stay alert and suppress their appetites. Both amphetamine and methamphetamine cause wakefulness and increased dopamine levels in the brain – associated with a sense of euphoria, decreased appetite and increased problem-solving skills and memory functions. Unlike amphetamine, methamphetamine is absorbed into the brain much faster and its effects last much longer.
Desoxyn (methamphetamine hydrochloride) may still be prescribed in rare-cases for weight-loss, narcolepsy and ADHD, but non-methamphetamine alternates, such as Ritalin (methylphenidate hydrochloride), are more commonly used. This is due to the high potential that methamphetamine has for misuse and addiction. If methamphetamine hydrochloride is prescribed, it is usually at much lower doses, so that it just treats the disorder and does not give the user a “rush” or euphoric high. Prescription methamphetamine is also tightly regulated, whereas illicit sources may be of unknown potency and contain additional drugs, such as fentanyl.
Methamphetamine is available in many forms and can be taken orally (for example, as a pill), injected, snorted, smoked or inserted. The most common ways to misuse meth have changed over time and depend largely on geographical location and availability. How methamphetamine is misused can also depend on how quickly and intensely the person taking the drug wants to feel its effects.
Smoking, injecting or rectally inserting meth can result in the most harm, by increasing addiction potential and negative consequences, but results in an immediate “rush” that many describe as extremely pleasurable. Methamphetamine goes directly into the bloodstream and then to the brain, resulting in all the dopamine for that dose being released at once. This can be extremely dangerous, as it results in the most dopamine concentration in the brain at once, making misusing methamphetamines in this way the most “rewarding” and the most likely misuse behavior to be repeated. It also has the highest risk of overdose. The “rush” wears off long before the methamphetamine is broken down and the person may take extra doses to prolong or reproduce the high, while still having a high concentration of the drug in their body. This is known as a “binge and crash” pattern.
When a person misuses methamphetamine for increased energy and stays awake for several days by taking more of the drug each time the effects start to wear off, it is known as a “run”. During this time the person may neglect personal hygiene, eating, resting or properly hydrating themselves. This can result in drastic weight-loss and other health concerns.
Methamphetamine is a powerful stimulant that can produce feelings of euphoria accompanied by negative side-effects. Exactly how it produces a pleasurable high is not fully understood, but methamphetamine causes increased amounts of the neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin in the brain and activates the cardiovascular system.
Short-term effects may include:
Long-term effects may include:
“Meth mouth” is a term that is often used to describe poor dental health in people who misuse meth, yet few studies can explain why meth use may cause more cavities. It may just be a stereotype that perpetuates stigma and shame and may deter people from seeking treatment. Methamphetamine misuse and increased cavities may instead be related to a third factor – poverty. Poverty is a risk factor for both methamphetamine misuse and poor dental health.
Damage to the brain accounts for many of the symptoms associated with long-term methamphetamine use, so they can persist for a long time after the person has remained abstinent. Psychotic symptoms, such as the sensation of insects crawling under the skin or extreme paranoia, have the potential to last for months or years after the person has stopped methamphetamine use. Stress also plays a significant role in triggering episodes of methamphetamine psychosis.
Although it is still uncertain how these methamphetamine-related changes to the brain occur, there is evidence that it may be linked to the extreme dopamine concentrations that flood the brain when a person uses methamphetamine (especially via injection, rectal insertion or smoking, which cause a “rush”). Neuroimaging studies show that areas rich in dopamine (such as the striatum) have the most nerve terminal damage. This damage has been linked to impaired movement speed and poorer verbal learning. Damage to areas of the brain that are important in emotional regulation, memory, decision-making and suppressing repetitive habits that no longer serve the person could explain many of the symptoms seen in people who have used methamphetamine for a long time.
Many of these changes seem to be reversible (or partially reversible) if the person stops using methamphetamine entirely, but this takes time and good treatment options. The brain can take a long time to heal, which may be one of the reasons that methamphetamine addiction is so complex to treat and why there is such a high rate of relapse in the early stages of treating methamphetamine use disorder.
Addiction to methamphetamine is known as a stimulant use disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (Fifth Edition) (DSM-5). If a person has experienced 2 or more of these symptoms within the past 12 months they should bring it to the attention of a trained medical professional.
Note: The previous two criteria would not be considered for those taking stimulant medications solely under appropriate medical supervision, such as prescribed medications for ADHD or narcolepsy. However, they should still be brought to the attention of the prescribing doctor.
Everyone who develops a substance abuse disorder has their own story, but there is no single thing that causes someone to become addicted to methamphetamine. Some risk factors that can contribute to the development of any substance use disorder include:
One of the contributing factors that greatly influences whether someone develops a substance use disorder is the effects that the substance has on the brain. The brain misunderstands methamphetamine misuse as a behavior that should be learned and repeated, because using methamphetamine triggered an increase in the “reward” neurotransmitter (dopamine).
This can be a powerful motivator for a person to use meth again, especially if its use had other sought-after effects, like increased libido, loss of inhibition and/or wakefulness. For example, wakefulness may be used by those who are at risk of sexual abuse or violence to stay awake in dangerous situations. This may be to escape an abusive spouse or family member or just to survive cold nights if the person is homeless. Cases like these emphasize the multi-faceted and complex nature of substance use disorders.
Polydrug or co-use is when people take two or more different drugs at the same time. It is relatively common and can be extremely dangerous. Although people may mix any combination of drugs, particularly dangerous examples include:
Meth and alcohol
Meth and benzodiazepines (like Xanax)
Benzodiazepines, like Xanax, are another type of drug that is often co-used with methamphetamine to combat the “jitters”. Like alcohol, it is a depressant and combining it with a powerful stimulant can result in cardiovascular consequences like a heart attack or stroke. Benzodiazepines also have a high potential for addiction and have their own dangers.
Meth and MDMA or cocaine
Some people may co-use two stimulants, such as MDMA or cocaine with methamphetamine. This runs the serious risk of hyperthermia (overheating), heart attack or stroke, all of which can be life-threatening. It may also increase other risk-taking behaviors that come with vastly decreased inhibition, such as engaging in unprotected sex, illegal activities or increased drug use.
Meth and opiates or opioids
“Goofballing” is when people mix methamphetamine and heroin (an opiate). Meth may also be laced with fentanyl (a potent opioid). These mixtures run a high potential for overdose and death. The combination of such a potent stimulant and depressant again puts the body under considerable strain – especially the cardiovascular, nervous and respiratory systems. Again, the risk of heart attack and stroke are high, but the person runs the additional risks associated with opiates and opioids – such as respiratory failure, overdose and addiction to these drugs.
Meth and drugs for sex
Methamphetamine is associated with increased libido and decreased inhibition and may be used in sexual intercourse to enhance the experience – known as “chemsex”. Drugs like Viagra may be mixed with meth, as meth can cause erectile dysfunction. Drugs like Viagra works by lowering blood pressure, while meth increases it. This combination can be fatal, as it increases the risk of stroke and puts the cardiovascular system under considerable strain.
Despite the many negative consequences of addiction to methamphetamine, treatment is available and effective. Treatment for methamphetamine addiction starts with detox. About 24 hours after their last dose of meth is when most people will begin to feel the symptoms of withdrawal. These can persist for anywhere between 50 hours to a few weeks or months. There are currently no FDA-approved medications for treating methamphetamine addiction, but the NIDA and other sources are currently investigating promising potential pharmaceutical interventions. Currently, much of the treatment of methamphetamine addiction is based on individual needs and treat symptoms as they arise.
Symptoms of methamphetamine detox can include:
If withdrawal symptoms are protracted and last for longer than anticipated, the person may have post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). PAWS is a range of symptoms (potentially including depressed mood, anxiety, irritability and cognitive impairments) that can occur after someone abstains from an abused substance. PAWS can follow detox from meth, opioids and opiates, alcohol and benzodiazepines.
Given the individualized approach to detoxing from meth and the risk of PAWS, it is important to consider seeking treatment for methamphetamine addiction at an inpatient rehabilitation center. One of the benefits of going to an inpatient program, like at Lakeview Health, is the medical detox center, which includes 24/7 access to the emotional support and medical interventions needed to safely detox from substances.
Lakeview Health’s treatment plans are personalized to meet each person’s unique needs and goals. During an initial assessment, the team will learn more about a person’s experience with methamphetamine, any co-occurring mental and physical health issues and any treatment programs visited previously.
Going through detox is an important first step towards recovery from meth addiction and will be combined with the psychological and holistic therapies offered at Lakeview Health for lasting results. These therapies facilitate personal growth and help to improve communication and relationship skills. They aim to motivate participation in treatment, teach new coping skills, and provide strategies to prevent relapse.
Trauma-informed therapy
Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT)
This approach to therapy associates how you think about events, people or stressors and the effect of your thoughts on your behaviour. The focus is on how to understand these patterns and how to build new habits and behaviours that are healthier.
Group therapy
Substance use disorders often lead to isolation and loneliness. Group therapy is a place to connect with others in recovery. These sessions often are supportive, encouraging and motivating.
Experiential therapy
One of the most powerful ways to get to know yourself is to try new hobbies or get back into old ones. Experiential therapy is therapy that is facilitated during or by an experience, such as music therapy.
Treatment costs for methamphetamine addiction will vary based on each person’s clinical needs and their insurance coverage or ability to pay out of pocket. Lakeview Health works with most major health insurance providers and our team does everything they can to ensure the insurance verification process is simple and stress-free.
If the patient does not have insurance coverage, the admissions team can work on a payment plan. Providing treatment is the main priority.
Lakeview Health accepts most major insurance carriers including:
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