Meth Addiction: Symptoms, Getting Help, Detox, Treatment, and More

Medical detox can help you manage your withdrawal symptoms comfortably and in a safe place, lessening your chances of relapse. Unless you use an approved methamphetamine medication under the direction of a doctor, there’s no recommended dose for meth. Your odds of meth dependence harmful effects go up if you put meth into your vein with a needle. But you can lessen the chances of harmful effects if you use smaller amounts of meth no matter what method you choose. It’s also dangerous to combine meth with other stimulants, like cocaine.

People with addiction are being forced into drug treatment programs more frequently across the country. Those who refuse are threatened with prison, the loss of welfare benefits or other penalties. Supporters say this tough-love approach may be necessary, but many doctors and addiction experts disagree and say it might lead to more fatal overdoses. Treatment is possible with behavioral therapy and other programs that address the psychological and behavioral symptoms of addiction. Inpatient rehabs and residential programs teach you about your addiction, healthy coping skills, and how to live drug-free.

Long-term Health Risks

In 2020, about 1.5 million people in the United States over the age of 12 had meth use disorder. What’s more, combining meth — a stimulant — with depressants like alcohol, opioids, or benzodiazepines can have a tug-of-war effect on your bodily functions. Healthline does not endorse the use of any illegal substances, and we recognize abstaining from them is always the safest approach. However, we believe in providing accessible and accurate information to reduce the harm that can occur when using. Methamphetamine, or meth, is a powerful stimulant that can make you feel more awake and active. The sentencing of Ms. Harris reflects the seriousness of the government’s efforts to deter people from interfering in elections.

meth dependence

Smoking or injecting methamphetamine causes an immediate, intense “rush” or feeling of bliss that lasts for a few minutes. Illegal forms of methamphetamine can be smoked, snorted, injected, or ingested orally. During World War II, armed forces used methamphetamine to keep personnel alert and improve endurance and mood.

Fast facts on methamphetamine

You may not feel alcohol’s effects as you typically would, so you might drink more alcohol than your body can process. Since being launched by NIDA scientists in 2010, National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week (NDAFW) seeks to inspire dialogue with and among youth about drug use and addiction during one week each March; this year, it took place March 18–24. During this week, a variety of events and activities bring together scientists, educators, community organizations, health care providers, and students. The aim https://ecosoberhouse.com/ of NDAFW is to educate youth and young adults about what we have learned from science about addiction in a fun and age-appropriate manner, thereby helping to stop the spread of misinformation about drug and alcohol use. This knowledge empowers youth and young adults to make informed decisions about drug and alcohol use and their mental health. Methamphetamine, an N-methyl analog of amphetamine, is a serious public health problem worldwide, and an estimated 36 million people use the drug recreationally.

  • Similar to rTMS, tDCS significantly reduced METH craving and increased executive functions compared to controls [ ], lasting throughout the treatment and at least up to 1-month post-treatment [114], despite differences in experimental conditions.
  • Your risk of overdose increases if you take a large dose of meth or mix methamphetamine with other drugs.
  • His theories have changed the field, stimulated additional research, and led to new understanding and treatments for opioid use disorders, cocaine use disorders, overeating, smoking, and depression.
  • Therapeutic doses of Desoxyn are mg daily, taken every 12 hours, with dose not exceeding 60 mg/day (reference.medscape.com/drugs).

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