Signs and Symptoms of Methamphetamine Abuse and Addiction

The street drug is typically snorted, smoked, swallowed, or injected and creates a fast-acting and intense feeling of euphoria that can last up to 12 hours. Though once prescribed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) under specific circumstances, methamphetamine is now primarily used as an illicit recreational drug – a highly addictive one. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, around 101,000 individuals aged 12 or older initiated methamphetamine use in 2021.[2]

What Is Meth?

Classified by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as a Schedule II substance, methamphetamine is an extremely potent drug with a high potential for misuse and dependence.[3]

Pharmaceutical methamphetamine is still produced, but most of the supply of meth is illicitly manufactured for recreational use. Methamphetamine is a chemical derivative of amphetamine, a stimulant that’s used for ADHD and sleep disorder narcolepsy.

The street form of meth is usually crystal meth, which looks like white crystalline rocks or glass-like fragments. People use meth by smoking it to get an intense euphoric rush, which only lasts a few minutes. This usually leads to repeated use to recapture that euphoria.

Meth may also be injected for fast-acting euphoric effects. It may also be snorted or ingested, but this tends to create a more gradual euphoria.

Learn More About Treatment

Short-Term Effects of Meth

Aside from the risk of addiction, meth can lead to significant adverse health effects.[4] It suppresses appetite, increases alertness, and impacts sleep. People on meth may also experience:

• Rapid and irregular heartbeat
• Increased blood pressure
• Rapid breathing
• Hyperthermia (dangerously high body temperature)
• Methamphetamine Overdose
• Death

Meth that’s taken in high doses or combined with other substances – such as fentanyl – increases the risk of fatal overdose. According to research from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), methamphetamine-related overdose deaths nearly tripled between 2015 and 2019.[5]

Overdose can lead to devastating cardiovascular events like heart attack or stroke. The signs of stimulant toxicity, which can happen with meth, include:

• Confusion
• Seizures
• Psychosis
• Rapid increase in heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature
• Cardiogenic shock
• Death

Long-Term Risks of Meth

Chronic meth use increases the risks of both short-term effects and long-term physical and psychological problems, such as:[6]

• Insomnia
• Mood changes
• Violent behavior
• Chronic anxiety
• Cumulative brain changes that affect memory and cognition
• Reduced coordination
• Hallucinations
• Paranoia
• Extreme weight loss and malnutrition
• Severe heart problems
• With IV use, skin abscesses and damaged blood vessels
• Dental disease

Aside from the direct risks of use, meth users are at an increased risk of bloodborne diseases like HIV and hepatitis from IV use.

Signs and Symptoms of Methamphetamine Users

The signs and symptoms of methamphetamine abuse can vary depending on the severity of the addiction and the length of use.

These signs may include the following:[7]

• Displaying erratic behavior
• Lying and stealing
• Poor performance at work
• Being social withdrawn
• Failing to keep up with responsibilities
• Owning drug paraphernalia, such as smoking pipes
• Aggressive outbursts

The physical signs of methamphetamine use may include:

• Weight loss
• Tooth decay
• Muscle spasms
• Nervous tics
• Erratic sleep patterns
• Sexual dysfunction
• Skin problems, such as sores or track marks and incessant skin picking

There are also mental and emotional symptoms, such as:

• Paranoia
• Delusions
• Memory loss
• Hallucinations
• Confusion and disorientation
• Loss of judgment
• Irritability
• Agitation
• Poor self-esteem
• Extreme mood swings

Meth Addiction Symptoms

Meth is highly addictive, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that everyone who uses meth becomes addicted. Some of the signs of meth use can occur without a substance use disorder – which is the clinical term for drug addiction.

Officially classified as a stimulant use disorder under the umbrella of a substance use disorder, methamphetamine use disorder is the compulsive use of meth despite negative consequences.[8] According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), the criteria for methamphetamine use disorder include:

• Trying to stop or cut back on meth use but being unable to
• Experiencing strong cravings for meth
• Failing to fulfill obligations at school, work, or home
• Continuing to use meth despite ongoing health or relationship problems
• Developing a tolerance to the drug
• Feeling withdrawal symptoms when meth is stopped or reduced

Meth can create a powerful physiological dependence, which means the brain and body become so accustomed to the presence of meth that they require it to function normally. When the person stops using meth or cuts back significantly, they experience withdrawal symptoms.

Meth Withdrawal Symptoms

Unlike opioids or alcohol, withdrawal from meth is not usually life-threatening. However, it can be extremely uncomfortable and persist for days or weeks. Some of the symptoms include:

• Fatigue
• Intense dreams
• Insomnia
• Intense mood swings
• Irritability
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Severe cravings
• Weight gain
• Hunger
• Anhedonia – the loss of interest in activities once enjoyed

Meth Addiction Treatment

If you or a loved one is struggling with meth addiction, treatment is available. The treatment options are tailored to your individual needs based on an assessment from a healthcare professional but may include:

Medical Detox

Though medical detox is not necessary for life-threatening methamphetamine withdrawal symptoms, it can be helpful to make you more comfortable. There are no FDA-approved medications specifically for stimulant use disorder, but medications can be used to manage symptoms like insomnia and anxiety.

Learn More About Detox

Inpatient Treatment

Inpatient treatment – or residential treatment – involves staying in a facility with 24/7 care and supervision, along with counseling sessions, behavioral therapies, and other modalities. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is often used for meth addiction to identify problematic behaviors and replace them with healthier ones to motivate you to abstain.

Learn More About Inpatient Treatment

Aftercare

Aftercare takes place after inpatient or outpatient treatment and helps you transition to day-to-day life. It includes individual therapy, family therapy, community-based support groups, and other treatment options to help prevent relapse.

Learn More About Our Alumni Program