Meth Addiction

Methamphetamine (also known as crystal meth or meth for short) is a Class A substance. This means that it is considered to be one of the most dangerous substances available on the UK market. Whilst meth use in the United Kingdom has not matched the levels in America, using the drug still carries a myriad of risks regardless of where you live.

Crystal Meth: The basics

Methamphetamine belongs to the ‘amphetamine’ family of drugs. These drugs are a specific kind of stimulant. They are also sometimes referred to as ‘psychostimulants,’ substances that ‘produce transient increases in locomotor activity’ and that are also used as ‘cognitive enhancers and for recreation.’
Psychostimulants are sometimes used in medicine, for example, to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and sleep issues such as narcolepsy. In this manner, the use of amphetamines is typically regulated, monitored and heavily controlled.

With street amphetamines such as crystal meth, the same rigorous control is not possible, meaning that meth is largely used in illicit, recreational contexts.

What does crystal meth look like?

Meth can be produced in several different ways, leading to variations in its physical appearance. Despite these differences, the resulting substances are classified as meth and exhibit similar effects.

Meth is available in two different forms; as a powder, and in a ‘rock’ or ‘crystalline structure – hence the name crystal meth.

Meth can be found in a range of different colours, including:

• Clear
• White
• Yellow
• Orange
• Pink
• Brown

Typically, meth is thought of as a white or even clear, non-coloured drug, but this can vary depending on the method of production and both the quality and concentration of the product.

How is meth used?

Meth can be taken in a range of ways. The different ways you can take a drug are referred to as ‘methods’ or ‘modes of use.’

Meth modes of use include:

• Injecting
• Smoking
• Sorting
• Ingesting

In this way, meth is similar to cocaine, which share the same modes of use. Meth is also reminiscent of cocaine in the fact that it can be available in both powder or crystalline form.

Why is crystal meth addictive?

The cycle of addiction

The reclassification of crystal meth from Class B to Class A indicates a collective acknowledgement of the severity of risks associated with methamphetamine in the UK.

But what makes crystal meth so dangerous? Why is it so addictive?

Crystal meth is a very strong drug. This means that the effects of its high are particularly severe. Whilst that can lead to a pleasurable sensation in the short term, it can leave desires with a strong desire to chase the high in the future. This facilitates what is known as the cycle of addiction:

• Initial use
• Repeat use
• Craving
• Dependency

This cycle leads to a point where addiction develops as individuals become more and more dependent on crystal meth in order to feel ‘normal.’

Crystal Meth: Super-stimulating dopamine

Similarly to other stimulants, the high achieved through crystal meth occurs through the increase in activity in the brain, especially impacting the behaviour of dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter in the brain that provokes feelings of reward, happiness and desire. This rewarding feeling can invertedly associate getting high with being rewarded, therefore reinforcing drug use through a kind of classical conditioning.

Meth is particularly dangerous as it stays in the system for longer than other stimulants. This is because it has a longer half-life. (Meth half-life is around 10 hours, meaning that it takes 20 hours for the substance to leave the system).

While drugs like cocaine impact the dopaminergic systems similarly to meth, they don’t persist in the brain as long. Cocaine achieves this effect by blocking dopamine reuptake, leading to prolonged receptor cell activity. In contrast, methamphetamine not only inhibits reuptake but also elevates dopamine release, exerting a dual impact on the dopamine system. While the heightened dopamine levels may induce pleasurable sensations, the prolonged presence of very high concentrations in the synaptic gap poses a risk, potentially causing damage to brain nerves.

Signs of crystal meth addiction

One of the hardest facets of addiction is that it can be difficult to identify – especially in ourselves. This may be because addiction is a gradual process; increasing drug use over time may feel like a choice rather than a dependency developing.

It can also be hard to identify that our drug use is a problem when so many people turn to substances in order to ‘self-medicate’ or block out other difficult areas in our lives. It’s not uncommon, for example, for people to start using drugs following traumatic experiences, such as:

• Being made redundant or losing a job
• Going through divorce or a difficult breakup
• Intense stress in school, college or university
• Dealing with bereavement
• Experiencing serious illness
• Experiencing domestic or child abuse
• Witnessing a traumatic event

For some people, using drugs can be a way of escaping these difficult experiences. It can be difficult, then, to begin to acknowledge that what has been ‘shielding’ us from stress has become a problem within itself. In these circumstances, it is hard to self-identify risky behaviours as maladaptive. This can, therefore, lead to complicated feelings that may appear to others as a kind of denial.

For that reason, it is very important to know the signs of crystal meth addiction so we can continue to look out for ourselves as well as for others.

Short-term signs of risky crystal meth use include:

• Hyperactivity, speaking or moving in a more animated manner
• Unusually high body temperature
• Unusually high instances of sweating
• Appearing flushed or pink in the cheeks
• Dilated pupils
• Appearing ‘wide-eyed’
• Appearing irritated, paranoid or unnecessarily suspicious
• The development of involuntary body movements

Long-term use of crystal meth is highly likely to lead towards addiction.

Potential signs of an addiction to crystal meth include:

• Instances of violence
• Appearing panicked
• Becoming secretive or deceptive
• Becoming withdrawn
• Unpredictable mood changes – from euphoria to depression
• Psychosis
• Unexplained weight loss
• Changes to sleep cycles
• Decline in dental health
• Skin issues
• Extreme insomnia
• Changes in social circles
• Issues with finances
• Issues with relationships
• Issues at work or school
• Decline in personal and household maintenance
• Increased likelihood of engaging in crime

How serious is crystal meth addiction?

It’s crucial to recognise that overdosing on meth can occur unintentionally, and the risk is higher when engaging in polydrug use. Combining meth with alcohol, other recreational substances, or even prescription medications amplifies the toxicity of meth, escalating the likelihood of overdose incidents.

On a global scale, the United Nations estimates that approximately 33 million people are heavy users of crystal meth. This staggering figure underscores the unique ability of crystal meth to foster severe dependency, pointing towards a significant global need for treatment and intervention.

While addiction to crystal meth and the potential for overdose are inherent health risks associated with heavy use, numerous medical complications can arise from prolonged consumption. These conditions can significantly impact the quality of life and lead to serious chronic illnesses or death.

How does crystal meth affect the body?

Short-term use of crystal meth can impact essential bodily functions such as homeostasis and circadian rhythms. However, over time, the health effects of meth can become more serious. These health conditions can seriously impair quality of life, lead to the development of chronic disorders and potentially even risk organ failure.
Some of the more dramatic ways that crystal meth impacts the body include:

• ‘meth mouth’
• Severe weight loss
• Sores and lesions on the skin
• Issues with the heart
• Issues with breathing

‘Meth mouth’

Meth mouth is ‘characterised by severe tooth decay and gum disease, which often causes teeth to break or fall out.’

One study looked at the dental health of meth users.

Out of 571 participants, the study identified that:

• 96% had one or more cavities
• 58% experienced some level of tooth decay
• 31% were missing at least six of their teeth

Severe weight loss

Substance addiction, including crystal meth, can lead to significant weight fluctuations, primarily attributed to cyclical changes in appetite during and after substance use. Research reveals that intense methamphetamine use can result in the degeneration and necrosis of adipose tissue, which is crucial for connecting and supporting various body parts. As this tissue’s health is compromised, it can lead to severe weight loss, posing risks to overall bodily functions.

Skin conditions

Meth use can catalyse a number of potential skin issues, including:

• a grey colouring to the skin
• ‘leather’ looking skin
• hyperhidrosis
• skin ulcers or abscesses on the face and body

Due to the discomfort of these conditions, it is not uncommon for ulcers to become infected, leading to more serious complications such as cellulitis.

Cardiovascular complaints

Meth addiction is associated with cardiovascular disease. This means that crystal meth addiction can lead to the development of issues with both the brain and the heart. This can lead to stroke or heart attack, which can be life-threatening.

Other potential cardiovascular complaints include:

• chest pain
• cardiac arrhythmia
• high blood pressure
• difficulty breathing

Respiratory system issues

As crack cocaine is typically smoked, it also carries risk of respiratory damage from inhalation. This can risk lung injury and long-term shortness of breath.

How does crystal meth affect the brain?

Crystal meth impacts the functioning of the brain just as profoundly as it affects the body. This has been linked to neuron damage from the over-saturation of dopamine in the synaptic gap and can have a range of effects, including cognitive impairment and memory loss.

Cognitive impairment and memory loss

Research into the cognitive impacts of drug use found that chronic meth users exhibited

‘deficits in working memory, memory recall, response inhibition […] set-shifting performance, and psychomotor function.’

This indicates that chronic meth use impairs brain function on a range of levels.

Psychosis

Abusing stimulants can lead to the development of psychosis. Psychosis is a condition where an individual experiences a split between reality and their own experiences of the world.

The two key elements of psychosis are hallucinations and delusions.

Hallucinations refer to the perception of something that others cannot recognise; for example, hearing voices that others do not.

Hallucinations can happen in each of our senses. We can experience:

• Auditory hallucinations (hearing things that others do not)
• Visual hallucinations (seeing things that others do not)
• Tactile hallucinations (feeling things that others do not)
• Olfactory hallucinations (smelling things that others do not)
• Gustatory hallucinations (tasting things that others do not)

Delusions are different from hallucinations; whilst hallucinations are linked to perception, delusions are more allied with belief. The British Medical Journal defines a delusion as ‘a belief for which there are no rational grounds, which is held with complete conviction, and which is out of keeping with the person’s background.’

Paranoia, anxiety and depression can also be features of psychosis.

Treating crystal meth addiction

Meth addiction is recognised as a substance use disorder. That means that it is considered to be a medical condition. Like most medical conditions, meth addiction has a range of causes and symptoms and, therefore, treatments.

Specialist research has led to the development of rehabs based on clinical findings to create programmes that work towards long-term recovery from substance use. These rehabs offer programmes that can be tailored to the specific needs of the individual.

Within these rehabs, a range of therapies are available. The goal of these therapies is to address what may have led to addiction developing, as well as consider the emotional weight of experiencing addiction itself.

Therapies available in rehab include:

• Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
• Experiential Therapy
• Group Therapy
• Individual Therapy
• Psychodynamic Therapy
• Psychotherapy

Alongside therapy, rehab treatment typically involves a detox. A detox is usually the first step towards addiction and recovery, creating a bridge between active use and sober life. The goal of a detox is to combat cravings and ensure you are physically safe and psychologically supported before beginning formal rehab therapies.

Getting help for crack cocaine addiction

If you’re grappling with an addiction to crystal meth, taking swift action to seek professional support is key to kickstarting your path to recovery. Consult with your healthcare provider or reach out to a dedicated rehabilitation centre—experts there can assist you in identifying the optimal treatment approach for your specific needs.
 

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