Methamphetamine is known as meth, crystal, fire, speed, and other names but it is all addictive and damaging to a person’s life. Amphetamines have negative ramifications on a person’s brain and central nervous system, making it dangerous. Meth is synthetic, which means man made. Find out how to tell if someone is suffering from withdrawal and how to support someone struggling with addiction.
Shaking and Tremors
Shaking and tremors are one of the top signs of addiction to methamphetamine as a person withdraws. When a person stops using meth, the dopamine stops flowing to the brain. Dopamine is essential for normal function of the central nervous system. After extended periods of abusing meth, you reduce the number of dopamine receptors available. That means there is not only less dopamine, but also fewer receptors available. The destruction from increased dopamine and less receptors throws the signal processes off balance.
Intense Cravings
Cravings for meth is the first sign of meth abuse. Meth reacts in the body almost immediately which creates a surge of confidence, strength, and feelings of self-assurance. The craving is in response to what is going on inside the mind and body. When a person with addiction feels the drug wearing down, that euphoria is gone and harmful feelings emerge. This creates a need for meth. The second is people with addiction are urged to maintain the high they got so they want more. Eventually, the high will disappear altogether.
Sleepiness
Sleep is another top five effect of meth withdrawal. While on crystal meth you feel as though you never needed sleep again. After extended periods of use the body shuts down. A person going through meth withdrawal can sleep an average of eleven hours, barely able to stay awake enough to use the restroom. This is known as being hypersonic.
Stomach Issues
Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting are common signs of meth withdrawal. Opiate withdrawal is the worst of all drugs, along with heroin, because of the horrible withdrawal. The pain is intense because pain sensors get turned back on after being blocked for so long. Immense urges for carbs will kick up since people don’t eat when addicted to meth.
Depression
Dark depression can loom over people in withdrawal from meth. Meth increases the amount of dopamine in the brain in the reward center. Dopamine is no longer there and receptors have reduced dopamine. Crystal-meth does so much damage to the brain it takes up to two years of keeping clean to restore normal dopamine function. Relapse is quite common.
The Springboard Center’s addiction treatment programs are tailored to meet the needs of each client. We support your journey to recovery so you don’t feel alone in the process. It is important to recognize that many of our services offer a group setting and environment, so that the client spends time with other people affected by the same chronic disease and problems. 432-620-0255