The Effects of Meth on the Body 

The Effects of Meth on the Body

Meth is one of the most dangerous drugs out there. It can cause devastating effects on a person’s mind, body and spirit. The average life span of a person after regularly using meth is approximately seven years. Many will succumb even sooner. The bottom line: meth destroys lives and people who do not get help for meth addiction will end up losing their life to this destructive drug.  If you or someone you love is dealing with a meth addiction, it is imperative that you seek rehab for meth addiction, before it is too late. To understand just how devastating a drug meth is, you must understand the way in which methamphetamine affects the body.

Short-Term Impact of Methamphetamine Use

When taken, meth and crystal meth work to create a false sense of well-being and energy. The meth user feels “invincible” and will push his or her body faster and further than it is meant to go.  Meth users report feeling a rush of energy and euphoria and often will act impulsively and dangerously. Driving fast, practicing unsafe sexual activity and not paying attention to potentially dangerous situations or strangers are typical of a meth user. Meth decreases the feeling of hunger and often users will go for days without eating, depriving their body of essential nutrients and causing noticeable weight loss.  Sleep patterns are seriously affected and users will go for days without sleep. Negative effects can also include hyperactivity, nausea, delusions of power, increased aggressiveness and irritability. More serious effects include insomnia, confusion, hallucinations, anxiety and paranoia. In some cases, meth use can cause convulsions that lead to death – even after just one use. After the initial high wears off, meth users experience what’s known as a “crash”. This means energy levels plummet and a person feels weak, sick, depressed, disoriented and in pain. This

Long-Term Impact of Methamphetamine Use

In the long term, meth abuse can cause irreversible damage. Users are at an increased risk for heart problems and high blood pressure. Meth damages blood vessels in the brain, which can lead to stroke.  An irregular heartbeat that can cause cardiovascular collapse or death. The liver and kidney work overtime to detox the body of harmful chemicals found in meth and can be severely damaged. Smoking meth can cause burns and lung damage. Meth users may suffer brain damage, including memory loss and delusional paranoia.  Those who recover may deal with permanent memory loss and mood swings.  Since many meth users take part in unsafe sexual practices, they are at a higher risk for contracting a sexually transmitted disease. Long-term meth users suffer from severe malnutrition and muscle atrophy. Since meth affects the soft tissues and teeth, most meth addicts deal with tooth decay and tooth loss. After long-term abuse of methamphetamines, damage to the brain is similar to complications found with Alzheimer’s disease, stroke and epilepsy

Finding Meth Addiction Rehabilitation 

The best place for a meth addict to be is in a top-notch meth addiction rehabilitation center. Rehab for meth addiction can help an addict get much-needed professional medical care, detoxification, treatment and therapy to help them break the physical, mental and emotional connection to meth. Los Angeles’ The Hills Treatment Center is a private, high-end meth addiction rehabilitation facility with a proven track record of success in dealing with meth addiction.  To learn more about meth addiction rehabilitation options, visit the The Hills web site for more information.