When the matter is about substance abuse disorder, dealing with methamphetamine or Meth addiction brings in the bitter truth of the long-term effects of meth. There is no hiding the fact that meth is highly dangerous, addictive and destroys the lives of those who are using it.
No matter whether people use meth by themselves or are suffering the results of somebody else in their life who is making use of the drug, the consequences are not good. Anybody who has struggled because of methamphetamine or addiction to meth can recall the horror they have gone through. From remaining awake for many days and then crashing to struggling because of maintaining a high. It is a cycle that can be very difficult to break. The long-term effect of meth can be complicated to deal with.
Several things occur because of the use and abuse of methamphetamine. But the question is what the long-term effects of meth are? How long does meth stay in urine? How does getting addicted to this drug have an impact on a person’s life? A strong understanding of what methamphetamines are can assist in the creation of a realistic picture of how this drug can impact someone’s life.
Long-term effects of methamphetamine use
- Insomnia induced by drugs can lead to delusions, psychosis and hallucinations. These often result in risky behaviours without any regard for their safety or those around them.
- Meth also suppresses the appetite, causing a dramatic loss of weight as well as malnutrition. A lot of people who become addicted to meth mainly start with this drug because of losing weight quickly.
- Then long-term use of meth also causes open sores as well as skin infections and most of the time the users of meth scratch and dig their skin.
- One of the very common and ugly effects of long-term use of meth is “meth-mouth: Users choosing to smoke crystal meth are inhaling the concoction of chemicals that substantially decreases oral health. Meth blasts occurring through the enamel and gum lining lead to rotted teeth and gingivitis.
Some of the other potential long-term effects of using meth are:
- Cardiovascular issues: One of the most important and required organs in the human body is the heart. Methamphetamines can lead to some serious damage to this organ. Enhanced blood pressure and rate of heart cause the heart to do overwork and thereby get strained. The use of Methamphetamine can also result in artery hardening in the heart causing heart attacks and strokes.
- Psychiatric effects: Some of the long-term effects of methamphetamine also include paranoia. As this drug affects the CNS, the processing of the brain changes. There is a high chance that somebody can go into psychosis. Then there is a risk for auditory and visual hallucinations along with the increased level of anxiety. As per the National Institute on Drug Abuse, these symptoms sometimes last for even months or sometimes years post the use of the drug last time.
- Affects dental health and also causes premature ageing: Using meth for a long period also causes rotting teeth and reduced production of saliva. It is important for the protection of teeth from decaying and enhances the formation of cavities. With the formation of cavities, teeth start becoming brittle and break down.
- Chronic disease: Meth causes suppressed immune system. These can result in the development of illness easily and frequently. It can also result in heart disease and strokes. The effects of methamphetamines also involve damage to the lover, kidney damage and there might be links to cancer as well.
Despite all these long-term effects of meth, you must keep in mind that recovery is possible. Addiction is a chronic disease that has treatment and it is possible to improve the overall quality of life.
Severe effects of long-term use of meth
Continues use of meth can lead to severe physical and mental health effects like
- Seizures
- Dental loss because of meth mouth
- Aggressive behaviour
- Criminal acts
- Permanent damage to the organ
- Elevated blood pressure
- Heart attack and stroke
- Psychosis
- Frequent infection because of weak immune system
- Damages to blood vessels
- Impaired motor skills
- Depressions
- Suicidal thoughts.
In some cases, meth use in the long term can also cause death.
Seek assistance for meth addiction.
The rising rates of meth abuse, overdose as well as addiction underline its problems and high impact. The use of meth is very difficult on the user mainly for those who like them and the whole community. Recovery starts with you and getting assistance for the long-term effects of meth use is the primary step required for reclaiming your life. When a life is addicted to meth, it is not living. The strength of healing is in your hand and there are so many recovery centres out there to help you.
