Millions of people across the United States have tried meth at least once. In some locations, the rate of meth use is even higher than the rate of opioid abuse. While it’s nearly impossible to assign a specific level of addictiveness to any drug, we do know that meth is highly addictive. Fortunately, meth addiction treatment is available.
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Why Is Meth Addictive?
Meth, or methamphetamine, is a powerful stimulant that causes an intense high. This drug is highly dangerous for several reasons, including the fact that it can lead to addiction fast. Meth causes addiction in multiple ways.
Meth and Dopamine
Like other stimulant drugs, meth affects a brain chemical called dopamine. Dopamine is a reward chemical, which means that it makes people feel happy and accomplished when the brain releases it.
Most stimulants, including cocaine, stop the reuptake of dopamine. In other words, they prevent the brain from “recycling” dopamine, leaving more available for a longer amount of time. If you imagine that the brain is a bathtub, and the bathwater is dopamine, drugs like cocaine put a stopper in the drain.
Meth takes this process a step further. It stops the reuptake of dopamine, but it can also prompt the brain to produce more of it. In the bathtub analogy, meth both plugs the drain and turns on the faucet at the same time. As a result, this drug is even more powerful than cocaine.
Because dopamine is a reward chemical, the brain will crave more of it after the effects of meth wear off. As a result, someone who uses meth will likely keep returning to the drug.
Stimulant Effects
When someone uses meth, the drug goes to work quickly. As a stimulant, meth immediately provides an energy boost and a sense of euphoria. While using meth, a person can stay awake longer, eat less food, feel more social, and accomplish more tasks.
Of course, meth also creates dangerous side effects, such as rapid heartbeat and anxiety. However, many people become dependent on the desirable short-term effects, which may lead them to keep using the drug even when they face negative consequences.
A Long-Lasting Drug
According to some sources, meth is the most dangerous drug in the world. It also carries a heavier stigma than some other drugs. As a result, a lot of people avoid meth in favor of other illicit drugs.
However, some people may turn to meth after using other stimulants, such as cocaine. Not only is meth more powerful than cocaine, but its effects also last longer. In fact, while cocaine has a half-life of one hour after smoking, meth has a half-life of 12 hours.
Over time, people develop a tolerance to drugs. After repeated cocaine use, a person may not feel the effects as strongly as they did when they first began using the drug. They may switch to meth as a way to experience the same high that they used to experience.
Withdrawal Symptoms
Even when a person wants to quit meth, they may keep using the drug to get relief from withdrawal symptoms. As the drug leaves the body, the person may experience uncomfortable or painful side effects, including:
- low energy
- cravings
- increased appetite
- anxiety
- depression
- trouble sleeping or excessive sleeping
- clouded thinking
- headaches
- dehydration
- psychosis
When a person can’t find relief from other sources, they may feel that returning to meth is the only option.
What to Do about Meth Addiction
Meth addiction is a complex mental illness, but it is treatable. If you have an addiction to meth, talk to a doctor if possible. You can also search for rehabs in your area that provide detox and treatment.
If you suspect that a loved one has a meth addiction, address the situation calmly. Your friend or family member may want to get treatment, but they may not know where to start.
Meth can have a profound impact on a person’s life. The sooner you pursue treatment, the sooner you can take control of your life and health.