How Meth Affects the Brain
Unfortunately, there are countless people who fall into the trap of meth addiction. The effects of methamphetamine on the brain are undeniable. A person can experience both the short-term and long-term effects of crystal meth addiction which is why it’s imperative for you to reach out for substance abuse help as soon as possible. Meth use can cause a severe impact on your brain health as well as serious emotional and memory difficulties for drug users.
Short-Term Effects of Meth
It’s important to note that the effects of methamphetamine should be categorized into short-term and long-term mental and physical consequences. There are several examples of short-term consequences that methamphetamine users can experience such as:
- Euphoria
- Irregular heartbeat
- Decreased appetite
- Hyperthermia
- The beginning of risky behavior
It’s important to note that at this point, a person may also begin to experience some mental health issues as well. It’s not uncommon for a person with methamphetamine addiction to also struggle with co-occurring disorders. Although the long-term mental and physical health consequences of methamphetamine addiction are undeniable during the early stages of addiction, these consequences will start to set in as well.
Long-Term Effects of Meth
The list of long-term consequences of meth addiction can potentially go on endlessly. Here are just a handful of examples of meth addiction:
- Dental issues and tooth decay
- Mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, or psychosis
- Impulse control issues
- Damage to internal organs
- Financial difficulties
- Relationship issues
If you have developed a meth addiction, it’s imperative that you receive the professional help and care that you need to work through the contributing factors of your addiction. When you partner with an addiction treatment facility, you will be able to take a deep dive into the events in your life that may have contributed to your addiction and work on ways to overcome them.
What Makes Meth So Addictive?
Meth is a highly addictive substance. Chronic methamphetamine use can completely change the course of a person’s life. Meth is so addictive that it would only take using this substance a handful of time to develop an addiction which, in turn, can begin to cause brain damage as well as physical health issues. Meth is a stimulant which means that as soon as it begins to interact with your brain, you will experience an increased sense of euphoria which is something that your brain will like. Once the impact of meth begins to wear off, your brain will start to crave this substance again which opens to floodgates for developing an addiction.
Treatment for Meth Addiction
If you are one of the countless methamphetamine users in the country, it’s important that you reach out for help to address your substance abuse issues before they impact of meth takes over completely. At Sylvan, we help clients that are not only drug users but clients that also struggle with alcohol addiction and mental health or mood disturbances as a result of their drug addiction.
When you partner with our treatment team, you have the opportunity to take advantage of addiction treatment programs that are personalized to suit you and your needs. From inpatient recovery programs to outpatient treatment plans which are specifically designed to give you the flexibility that you need to address other full-time or part-time responsibilities, you will have the peace of mind of knowing that your needs will be taken care of when you need help the most. If you’re ready to commit to working through your drug abuse or you’re a concerned loved one and want to learn more about the changes in the brain as a result of drug abuse, please get in touch with us today.