Methamphetamine (meth) is a powerful stimulant that was created for medical purposes but has since become widely available in dangerous and unregulated forms. Sadly, this highly addictive drug can take a serious toll on both the body and mind, with some effects being long-term or even permanent. If you or someone you care about is struggling with meth addiction, know that help is available. You don’t have to face this alone. Reach out to learn more about the risks of meth and how compassionate, professional support can make all the difference.
Call The Right Step Houston at 1.844.768.0169 to speak to one of our staff members. Our medically supervised detox, evidence-based therapies, aftercare services, and program for meth addiction treatment in Houston are designed to support you in your quest for sobriety and health.
How Does Meth Affect the Brain?
Methamphetamine, like other psychotropic drugs, disrupts the brain’s dopamine system, creating intense feelings of euphoria. Over time, repeated use can physically alter the brain’s structures, making it harder for someone to feel good without the drug.
So why do people keep using meth, even though it leads to such unpleasant crashes? It’s because chasing that initial euphoric high can become all-consuming. This cycle of bingeing and crashing—often called a “run”—can take over someone’s life. A run might last for days, leaving the person without sleep or food, and over time, this pattern can cause serious harm to the body and mind.
When someone dependent on meth isn’t able to use or has been on a binge for too long, they can enter a state known as tweaking. This is an extremely painful experience, both physically and emotionally. They may feel overwhelming anxiety, hallucinate, or lose control of their emotions. They might even experience the sensation of bugs crawling under their skin, leading to visible scabs and scratch marks.
Understanding these struggles is a step toward compassion. Meth addiction is incredibly complex and often rooted in pain, but with the right help and support, recovery is possible.
What Are the Long-Term Effects of Meth Abuse?
Once someone has been abusing meth for a long time and addiction has set in, quitting the drug is exceptionally difficult. The binge cycle of meth abuse is a trap that’s difficult to escape from.
Damage to the Brain and Mental Health
Long-term damage to the brain can include:
- Loss of memory
- Inability to create new memories
- Inability to feel or express emotions
- Cognitive damage
- Altered motor coordination
Sometimes these changes are permanent, depending on the length of addiction and quantity of meth used over time.
Meth use doesn’t just impact the brain—it also takes a serious toll on mental health. Some of the most challenging effects include mood disorders like depression, anxiety, and panic attacks. It can also cause paranoia, symptoms of psychosis, and even difficulty controlling anger which may lead to violent outbursts. These mental health struggles can be incredibly destabilizing and overwhelming.
Damage to Physical Health
In addition to the effects on the brain and the aforementioned skin damage resulting from hallucinations, some other symptoms of long-term abuse of this potent stimulant include:
- Meth mouth – Decayed and broken teeth from poor oral hygiene resulting from hyperfocus on meth use
- Severe weight loss – The need for the drug is often more powerful than the need for food
- Accelerated aging – Due to meth-stimulated production of ceramides, which trigger cell aging
Meth is considered by many to be the most challenging and damaging of the addictive Schedule II drugs. The only reason it’s not listed as a Schedule I drug is that there remain legitimate medical uses for it, though it’s rightfully used or prescribed with extreme caution by medical practitioners.
Connect with The Right Step Houston Today to Start Meth Addiction Treatment in Texas
To learn more about how meth affects the brain, call Right Step Houston today at 1.844.768.0169—or you can complete our online form. You deserve a life free of meth. We look forward to hearing from you.