Do you feel misunderstood by your family, community, or culture? Are there stereotypes that perpetuate harmful stigmas about you or the people you care about? Individuals struggling with substance use disorders (SUD) often feel this way. Unfortunately, those who struggle with meth addiction may be especially hesitant to seek treatment due to fear of judgment and stigma.
Movies and TV shows often have similar portrayals of meth addiction. However, this stereotypical picture can cause us to overlook the reality of meth use. It can also discourage people from seeking treatment before their addiction progresses.
Methamphetamine, or meth, is a highly addictive stimulant. It profoundly affects the central nervous system of those who use it.
People who use meth often find themselves in a continuous binge and crash pattern. That is because a methamphetamine high starts strong but fades quickly. The pleasurable feelings associated with meth use are caused by excess dopamine in the brain.
The brain naturally releases dopamine. This causes us to feel pleasure or reward. As a feel-good chemical, dopamine is typically released during pleasant experiences. Eating food, winning money, having sex, or accomplishing a goal can all produce dopamine.
Using meth also releases dopamine in the brain. Unfortunately, it releases so much dopamine that the brain's natural reward system becomes damaged. This can make it very difficult to experience pleasure from the activities that used to give us pleasure.
After meth use, the body craves much more dopamine than the brain can naturally produce. This incentivizes people to use meth again and again. Cravings for that dopamine release only intensifies the longer a meth addiction goes untreated.
Meth addiction has many serious short-term and long-term effects. Of course, the extent of these effects depends on a variety of factors. These include how much you use, how long you have been using, and what other substance you use.
Due to this variation, the reality of meth addiction does not always match the stereotypes. However, the longer meth addiction goes untreated, the more people will experience the extreme forms of addiction. Early recognition and treatment can prevent this from happening.
The short-term effects of meth are similar to those of other stimulants. According to the NIDAA, they typically include:
There are also many long-term effects of meth use. The chance you will experience long-term effects increases the longer your meth addiction goes untreated.
Some of these effects include:
Despite these effects, many individuals are unaware or in denial that they have a problem. For this reason, knowing the short-term and long-term effects of meth use is not enough. Individuals must also recognize the signs that they or someone they love is struggling with meth addiction.
As mentioned above, many people struggling with addiction can't or won't recognize their symptoms. Denial is typical among clients with SUD. Fortunately, concerned loved ones can stage an intervention to persuade a loved one to enter treatment.
Some of the signs and symptoms of meth addiction include:
We encourage you to seek treatment immediately if you recognize these signs within yourself or a loved one.
At NorthStar Transitions, we have a variety of treatment programs that can help you or your loved one recover from meth addiction. The first step for anyone starting treatment is detox.
Detox is a vital first step in the treatment and recovery process. When people try to stop their substance of choice, cravings can become so intense that they intentionally relapse. Additionally, they may experience many other uncomfortable and potentially dangerous withdrawal symptoms.
Professional detox allows people to get through withdrawals safely and successfully. Once detox is complete, the rest of treatment can begin. This includes many evidence-based and holistic practices. Treatment is most effective when tailored to your needs, and NorthStar can work with you to address those needs.
Recovery from meth addiction is possible, even if it does not seem like it right now. Contact NorthStar Transitions to learn more and start your recovery journey today.
Movies, TV shows, and other forms of media often portray meth addiction with unhelpful stereotypes. Unfortunately, this can make people with less severe forms of meth addiction feel like they do not need to get help. It can also make them feel ashamed or afraid of reaching out. The reality is that meth addiction has many serious short-term and long-term effects that can negatively impact all aspects of life. Fortunately, recovery is possible. NorthStar Transitions offers detox services and treatment programs to people struggling with meh use. We can help you or a loved one recover from meth addiction and live a life of sobriety. Call us at (303) 558-6400 to learn how today.
