Methamphetamine—or meth for short—is a highly addictive stimulant drug that affects the central nervous system. The drug is synthetically created (similar to amphetamine) and is commonly taken in various ways, including smoking, swallowing, injecting, or snorting.
One of the reasons methamphetamine is so addictive is that, when ingested, it stimulates the release of dopamine, producing feelings of pleasure and reward. However, meth is a dangerous drug that leads to many immediate and long-term side effects, including death.
Fortunately, help is available, and Buena Vista provides several treatment plans to help you or a loved one achieve lifelong sobriety. On this page, you’ll have the opportunity to learn more about meth itself in addition to your treatment options, with a quick look at methamphetamine facts and statistics, short- and long-term side effects, and keys to effective addiction treatment.
Methamphetamine Quick Facts and Statistics
Learn more about methamphetamine with these meth facts and statistics:
- An estimated 2.5 million Americans 12 and over have reported using meth in the past year.
- Around 500 people try meth each day in the U.S.
- Methamphetamine is an illegal Schedule II substance.
- High doses of methamphetamine can cause overheating that leads to organ failure, heart attack, stroke, and death.
- Methamphetamine can be a pill, powder, or resemble glass fragments.
The Short- and Long-Term Effects of Methamphetamine
Taking even a small amount of methamphetamine is dangerous and can lead to many short-term effects similar to those of other stimulants, such as amphetamines or cocaine. While the drug affects everyone differently, a few of the most common short- and long-term effects of methamphetamine include:
| Short-Term Effects | Long-Term Effects |
|---|---|
| Aggressive, irritable, erratic, or violent behavior | Brain structure and function alterations |
| Increased blood pressure | Extreme weight loss |
| Increased body temperature | Heart attack, stroke, and death |
| Increased wakefulness and inability to sleep | Intense, persistent itching, leading to skin sores from scratching |
| Loss of appetite or nausea | Paranoia and hallucinations |
| Rapid breathing | Permanent heart, brain, liver, kidney, and lung damage |
| Rapid or irregular heartbeat | Severe dental problems |
Methamphetamine Addiction Treatment
Methamphetamine addiction is very difficult to overcome, but you’re not alone. At Buena Vista, you can start on the road to recovery, learn to manage intense cravings, develop healthy coping skills, treat the root causes of your addiction, and much more.
The first step in addiction treatment is to undergo a medically supervised detox where we help you manage distressing and severe withdrawal symptoms, keep you as comfortable as possible, and eliminate the possibility of relapse during the detox process.
If you or a loved one is battling a methamphetamine addiction, get help now by contacting Buena Vista.
