Nova Recovery Center
What are the Signs of Meth Use?
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“Nova is far from perfect, and some of the information can be misleading. But if you want to cover the 12 Steps while enjoying good food and a beautiful scenic view, this is the place for you. The…”
10 months ago · Wimberley
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2 years ago · Austin
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2 years ago · Austin
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“I had such a positive experience at Nova Recovery in Wimberley! The staff genuinely cares and went above and beyond to support me every step of the way. The peaceful setting made it easier to focus…”
a year ago · Wimberley
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“I love Nova so freaking much. Nova has saved my life in more ways than one. I was hopeless and had no solution suffering from this disease. The staff there never gave up on me. I was the worst client…”
2 years ago · Austin
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“I know Mark rector is non-binary however it saved my life and it did a good job with CPR and I don't know how aside from staying sober I could ever repay it thank you Mr or Mrs or whatever you're…”
8 months ago · Austin
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“It's been a few years since I was a patient at Nova Recovery Center. Recently I have been reflecting on my time there and how incredibly grateful I am for the experience I had. I have been to 7 rehab…”
2 years ago · Austin
Knowing the signs of meth use
If you think someone close to you may be using meth, you are right to be concerned, and knowing the signs is often the first step to getting them help.
Meth is extremely addictive and powerful, and half a million Americans use it every week. The physical signs, the behavioral signs and the consequences of long-term use are all set out below.
- Weekly use
- Half a million Americans
- Physical signs
- Weight loss, skin sores, rotting teeth, track marks
- Forms
- Powder, pill, or crystal meth
- How long the high lasts
- Up to 12 hours
This page is written for the person doing the worrying. The admissions line will talk through what to do next.
About Meth Use and Addiction
Methamphetamine (meth) is a highly addictive stimulant drug that delivers a powerful high. A person can quickly become addicted after just a few uses and may also develop other substance use problems with alcohol or other drugs. The physical and psychological effects of meth use can be severely damaging, leaving many people to wonder why their friends or loved ones choose to use it anyway. Drug addiction is a complex disease and people may initially use meth for several different reasons, such as:
- To lose weight
- To fit in with friends
- To feel good and get high
- To enhance a partying experience
Although it is usually used as a powder or pill, meth can also be illegally manufactured in a crystal form, called crystal meth. Crystal meth looks like fragments of glass and is an altered version of the prescription drug form of meth, Desoxyn.2 Meth users typically smoke, snort, or inject meth. Depending on the user’s method, the euphoric high can last up to 12 hours. This makes meth an ideal drug for many users. As a person continues to use meth, they will need more and more over time to achieve their desired effects. This is called tolerance and it’s a warning sign of physical dependence and addiction.
Learning the signs of meth use early on can help you recognize the problem and get help for a loved one or friend before it’s too late. Unfortunately, recognizing when someone is high on drugs isn’t always as easy as it sounds. Here are some of the most common signs of meth use to watch for.
| What are the Physical Signs of Meth Use? |
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| What are the Behavioral Signs of Meth Use? |
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| What are Meth Paraphernalia? |
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| What are Evidence of a Meth Lab? |
Tip: Large purchases of cold medicines, especially those with pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) can signal diversion or misuse. Learn more about Sudafed abuse.
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Consequences of Meth Abuse
If a friend or loved one is using meth, family members are often the first to suffer the consequences. If the meth abuse continues, the drug abuser will likely begin having run-ins with the law and behave irrationally or violently, which could also lead to criminal consequences.6 Job loss, strained relationships, unplanned pregnancies, and financial problems are also very common, especially once the meth use has become compulsive and habitual. A person who regularly abuses meth will also suffer physically and may experience cognitive problems, increased heart rate and blood pressure, cardiovascular collapse, stroke, increased risk of HIV and hepatitis B and C, or even death. Severe psychological problems like paranoia, psychosis, hallucinations, or homicidal thoughts may also occur.2
Help for Meth Addiction
Meth addiction can maintain a very tight grip a person and leave them feeling like there is no way out. However impossible it may seem, it is possible to overcome meth addiction with the right help. At Nova Recovery Center, we provide a full continuum of care to help addicted people get physically sober and address the deep-seated issues that have contributed to their addiction. No one sets out to become an addict but you and your addicted loved one are not alone in your suffering. By addressing the root causes of meth addiction, we can help people make positive life changes that will have a lasting impact on the way they think, behave, and live out their lives. Call Nova Recovery Center today to learn more about our 90-day drug rehab program and continuum of care for addiction recovery. References:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1199019/
- https://www.dea.gov/factsheets/methamphetamine
- https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/crystal-meth-what-you-should_know#1
- https://www.verywellmind.com/drug-paraphernalia-photo-gallery-4020396
- https://ncdoj.gov/getdoc/72a0bddf-2fec-45b2-97b5-449c7d89bdc6/2-0-1-1-3-2-Signs-of-a-Meth-Lab.aspx
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Nova Recovery Center is dedicated to helping you or your loved one get help. Please call or fill out this form for a confidential consultation.
One of our understanding, dedicated advisors will contact you about your options. Begin healing today.
Nova Recovery Center is dedicated to helping you or your loved one get help. Please call or fill out this form for a confidential consultation. One of our understanding, dedicated advisors will contact you about your options. Begin healing today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Recognizing Meth Use
What are the physical signs of meth use?
The physical signs listed on this page are sudden weight loss, thinning hair, skin sores, scratches or rashes, rotting teeth, inflamed eyes, wearing long sleeves in hot weather, and injection marks on the arms.
What are the behavioral signs of meth use?
Behavioral signs described here include agitation, irritability, nervousness, paranoia, going hours or days without eating, insomnia, twitching, picking at skin, pulling hair, talking very fast, rapid eye movements, frequently borrowing money, and selling or stealing valuables.
What does meth paraphernalia look like?
Items associated with meth use on this page include glass pipes, aluminum foil or cans, single razor blades, spoons with burn marks on the bottom, empty pen casings, needles and syringes, homemade tourniquets, small self-fastening or triangular baggies, and short straws.
Someone I care about is showing these signs. What should I do?
Recognizing it early is what this page is for, and the next step is a conversation rather than a confrontation. Nova Recovery Center provides a full continuum of care for meth addiction, and our advisors will talk through the options with you confidentially, including when the person using is not the one making the call.
Can meth addiction be treated?
Yes. Meth addiction can feel inescapable, and this page says plainly that it is possible to overcome with the right help. Treatment usually begins with medical detox to manage the physical side, followed by residential or outpatient treatment that addresses the behavioral and psychological side.
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