SPOTTED: 5 Signs of Meth Abuse

Meth abuse can be easy to spot–if you know where you’re looking.

Methamphetamine, meth, or here in our country, shabu. This is a highly addictive drug that can cause damaging changes to the brain, which can then affect their judgment and behavior.

Meth is a stimulant that produces a powerful sense of euphoria, making it highly sought-after by people who are looking to stay awake for long periods without getting sleepy or hungry. Meth abuse, however, can easily turn to addiction, and you may require professional help to overcome it before it destroys your life completely.

The problem with getting help for meth abuse is compounded by the fact that people don’t really know what to look for, and that the person using meth is something in denial. To help you, here are the 5 big signs of meth abuse that you have to look for.

5 Signs of Meth Abuse

1. Behavior. A person abusing meth may experience unusual and erratic behavioral patterns such as euphoria, over-confidence, impulsiveness, hyperactivtiy, decreased appetite, paranoia, increased focus, doing repetitive things obsessively, and not sleeping for extended periods. There are also those who would go on a meth binge and stay awake for days.

These people can also experience withdrawal symptoms, such as irritability, depression, anxiety, shaking, and fatigue.

2. Paraphernalia. Meth abuse will show itself in the paraphernalia around the person. There will be strange household objects that are actually used for using the drug.

• aluminum foil (rolled up tightly like a small straw, especially)
• small sandwich bags with powder or crystal remnants
• syringes
• burnt metal spoons
• straws
• modified lighters
• rolled up bills
• tubes
• smoking pipes
• unexplained chemicals

3. Physical changes. Those who abuse meth may also show how the drug ravages their body. The obvious signs after using meth are dilated pupils, twitching eyes our mouth, as well as quick and darting eyes.

In time, these people may show signs of meth abuse:

• excessive weight loss
• meth mouth (includes sores in mouth and tooth decay)
• chest pain
• nose bleeds
• track marks from injecting meth
• offensive body odors
• skin lesions from picking and scratching skin
• boils
• infections
• premature aging
• gaunt look on the face

Physical health may also deteriorate, causing hypertension, destruction of muscles, tachycardia, kidney failure, liver failure, heart attack, and hyperthermia, among others.

4. Financial ruin. Meth abuse can cause a lot. From the price of regularly buying the drug to the costs of the legal and employment troubles it brings.

Those who abuse meth may constantly need to borrow money. They may also steal from family members or friends. They may soon find themselves jobless because they lose interest in their jobs and don’t show up. They may also have health problems or get into legal issues, and these can cost a lot.

5. Social behavior. Those who abuse meth can be antisocial. They want to have nothing to do with things, people, or events that doesn’t involve them using meth. They are usually around people who are known meth users or drug dealers. They may also lose interest in activities that they used to like doing.

If someone you know is battling with meth abuse or meth addiction, call our Bridges of Hope helpline: 09175098826.