Drug and alcohol use disorders affect all communities in the United States, with millions of Americans being addicted to at least one substance, whether prescription or illicit. One of the most common recreational drugs in circulation today is crystal meth. This drug is a potent upper that gives people an intense, powerful high and incredible amounts of energy. People who use crystal meth tend to enjoy the positive effects that it brings, but all these effects come at a cost, as continued use can lead to severe health problems and even death. Learning about what exactly crystal meth does to a person’s body can help people choose to get treatment.
If you or someone you care about is struggling with meth addiction, San Antonio Recovery Center offers a comprehensive meth addiction treatment program. Our professional addiction specialists understand how difficult it can be to abstain from drug use, which is why all our programs are tailored to each client’s specific goals and needs. In doing so, we hope to set our clients up for success by giving them exactly the support they require to keep choosing sobriety instead of returning to use. You can get in touch with our admissions team at 866.957.7885, and they can tell you all about the treatment options we offer.
What is Crystal Meth?
Methamphetamines are powerful synthetic psychostimulants that are chemically similar to amphetamine. Crystal meth is a form of the drug that looks like glass fragments or shiny, bluish-white rocks. Because of its appearance and effects, crystal meth is known by a number of slang terms, including:
- Glass
- Shards
- Ice
- Tina
- Blade
- Quartz
Those who take crystal meth recreationally often do so because it creates a sense of euphoria, along with feelings of power and alertness. However, taking crystal meth carries a high risk for physical dependence and can also lead to paranoia, delusions, and hallucinations. The drug is extremely dangerous and can cause death if taken excessively.
What is in Crystal Meth?
Because illicit drugs such as crystal meth are often made in illegal, hidden laboratories, often in people’s homes, the contents of crystal meth can vary wildly from one batch to the next. It is often made from a combination of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and other chemicals to boost its potency. Most of the chemicals that go into making crystal meth were never intended for human consumption, but meth addicts ingest, inhale, or inject these chemicals every time they take crystal meth.
What Are the Effects of Crystal Meth?
Crystal meth works by promoting the release of the neurotransmitter dopamine and inhibiting its reuptake. This causes an overall increase in dopamine levels in the body, and consequently the euphoric feeling that many people enjoy when using crystal meth. Short-term effects of crystal meth include:
- Increased alertness and energy
- Decreased appetite
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Dilated pupils
- Hyperactivity
- Paranoid thinking
- Aggressive behavior
These effects can last for four to six hours, or even longer if you take a higher dose.
Long-term use of crystal meth has a negative effect on the brain’s dopamine system, which can compromise a person’s motor and language skills. In addition to this, long-term meth use is also associated with:
- Compulsive skin picking
- Seizures
- Dirty, rotting teeth
- Dry mouth and bad breath
- Extreme weight loss
- Skin sores
- Kidney, liver, and heart damage
The transformative effect of crystal meth addiction can completely change the way a person looks and acts, making them unrecognizable to people who knew them before they started using it.
Start Meth Addiction Treatment at San Antonio Recovery Center
If you or someone you care about is finally ready to break free from meth addiction, our staff members at San Antonio Recovery Center would be more than happy to guide you through recovery. We offer a meth addiction treatment program that uses both holistic and evidence-based therapies so that each patient is treated as a person and not just a collection of symptoms. We also have programs for a wide range of other substance use disorders, including:
- Cocaine addiction rehab
- Heroin addiction rehab
- Opiate addiction treatment
- Xanax addiction treatment
If you want to learn more about how we can help you reach your goals, contact us at 866.957.7885.
