10 Things You Need to Know About Meth Addiction

Meth addiction can change the way you look, think, feel, and interact. Knowing as much information about meth, addiction, and treatment can help save your life and those of others.

Meth addiction has long been rampant here in the Philippines, with reportedly 1 in 10 people using or are addicted to the substance. Perhaps you know of one person in your household or community who are addicted to meth or shabu. Perhaps you may have even tried, or are addicted to, it yourself.

Source: yourliferecoverycenter.com

Here’s what you should know about meth addiction and why it’s very dangerous.

1. Many meth addicts have bad skin. Meth addicts have chronic skin problems and infections, one of them being acne. They also get painful sores on different parts of their bodies, the result of a meth-induced hallucination that makes them feel like there are bugs crawling under their skin.

2. There’s such a thing as meth mouth. “Meth mouth” is a severe dental problem wherein their teeth crack and decay. The drug also causes them to repeatedly (and severely) clench their jaws, further worsening the problem.

3. Meth gives meth addicts a sense of euphoria. While meth can give them an  intense sense of well-being, this can quickly turn to paranoia, aggression, irritability, and depression. You wouldn’t like a person coming down from meth.

4. HIV and meth don’t mix. Meth users who share needles have a higher risk of getting HIV. Consequently, those who are HIV positive will feel the effects of meth abuse more devastatingly.

5. Chronic abusers tend to be homicidal and suicidal. Around the world, there are many crimes associated with meth use, as they become more confident, aggressive, and violent.

6. Meth use causes extreme weight loss. Those who abuse meth will not feel hungry, and so this can cause sudden weight loss.

7. Meth addiction and sexual or physical abuse are linked. Meth addicts, like other drug addicts, are more likely to have been physically or sexually abused in childhood. Children may also be more likely abused if they have a parent who uses drugs.

8. Meth changes the brain–sometimes irreversibly. Meth users, especially chronic and long-time abusers experience significant changes to their brain chemistry, to the point that the damage may still be existent long after they have stopped using.

9. Meth users can give themselves away. Though no one will readily admit to using and abusing meth, you can easily notice one by observing how they behave. One short-term effect that meth users have is performing meaningless yet repetitive tasks.

10. Meth can damage nearly all your organs. Meth abuse affects not only the brain by almost all major organs such as the heart, lungs, liver, kidney, and many more. Long-term use can impact these parts of the body in ways which may be irreversible.