Substance use disorder (SUD) is a destructive force in a person’s life. Alcohol or drug addiction increases the risk of harmful behaviors and damages relationships. However, the face of addiction isn’t limited to one specific type of person or substance. Individual substances affect a person’s mind, body, and spirit differently. For example, methamphetamine, also known as meth, has effects that are distinctly different from the effects of a drug like marijuana.
What Is Methamphetamine?
Methamphetamines are powerful, extremely addictive stimulants. Well-known names for methamphetamine are crystal meth, meth, tina, or crank. Whatever a person calls meth, the effects are damaging. Meth is a stimulant that targets your body’s central nervous system. Once it reaches the central nervous system, the results include feelings of extreme happiness and energy.
The origin of meth comes from the prescription drug class called amphetamine. Researchers at the University of Berlin discovered amphetamine in the 1880s. Amphetamines were resynthesized in the United States in the 1920s. After this occurred, amphetamines became a treatment for asthma, allergies, and colds. The Japanese created methamphetamine in 1919. World War II saw increased use of the drug to help soldiers overcome fatigue and suppress their appetite.
What’s the Difference Between Prescription Amphetamine and Methamphetamine?
Doctors prescribe amphetamines for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), narcolepsy, and extreme weight issues. Amphetamines, while helpful in some cases, are still highly addictive. For example, the prescription drug Desoxyn is used to help those with ADHD, narcolepsy, or severe weight issues. It is highly addictive, classified as a controlled substance, and must be used under a physician’s or other health care provider’s supervision.
How Does Meth Effect You?
The majority of meth used is illegal forms of meth. All forms of meth are incredibly addictive and can cause severe health issues. Examples of these issues include:
- Psychosis: A person can lose touch with reality and experience hallucinations or delusions.
- Dental problems: Serious dental issues referred to as “meth mouth” are common. Meth mouth is when a person has severe tooth and gum decay. The disease often causes teeth to break or fall out. Signs of meth mouth are blackened, rotting, stained, crumbling teeth.
- Scratching: When a person has a meth addiction, they often scratch their skin, forming sores or scabs.
- Organ damage: Meth can cause extreme damage to the liver, lungs, and kidneys.
- Permanent damage: While meth affects other organs, there is a chance they can heal with proper nutrition and the discontinuation of meth use. However, the heart and brain can sustain irreversible damage.
Methamphetamines are dangerous, highly addictive drugs. Their effects on the body and mind are extreme and, in some cases, irreversible. Since meth is a destructive force on the mind, body, and spirit, discontinuation of methamphetamines without medical supervision is discouraged. However, once a client completes their detoxification program, they will transition into long-term treatment. The Guest House understands the challenges of an addiction to methamphetamine. We work with you to tailor treatment to your needs. Your health and safety are our priority. Call us at (855) 483-7800 to learn about our treatment program.