Being able to identify the signs and symptoms of crystal meth use can help you recognize if someone in your life is in crisis.
What is Crystal Meth?
Crystal meth is a form of methamphetamine, which is a powerful stimulant. The signs of crystal meth abuse include racing heart, elevated body temperature, rapid breathing, and a burst of energy that can last for several hours.
Crystal meth abuse is an extremely dangerous behavior with the potential for myriad negative effects, including addiction, overdose, and death.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) estimates that about 2.5 million people in the United States used crystal meth or another version of methamphetamine in the past year. To underscore the danger of this drug, NIDA also estimates that about 1.6 million of these people became addicted and more than 30,000 died of overdose during the same 12-month time period.
Signs & Symptoms of Crystal Meth Use
When someone has been abusing this drug, they may initially go to great lengths to conceal their crystal meth symptoms. But the devastation the incur can make it difficult to do this for very long.
The following are common symptoms of crystal meth abuse:
- Dramatic shifts in energy levels, including times of excessive activity and enthusiasm
- Acting with uncharacteristic recklessness, aggression, or violence
- Exhibiting signs of anxiety, irritability, and/or paranoia
- Lack of need for sleep, which can include staying awake for multiple days
- Loss of appetite and significant unintentional weight loss
- Bleeding gums, tooth decay, and other signs of severe dental problems
- Sores, abscesses, and other skin damage
- Apparent lack of attention to appearance and personal hygiene
What Does Crystal Meth Look Like?
Crystal meth is so named because it is baked into a blue, grey, or white substance that resembles shards of glass, chunks of ice, or small rocks. In this form, it may be somewhat translucent. People typically consume crystal meth by heating it and inhaling the fumes.
Meth can also appear in pill or powder form. As a powder, it may be inhaled through the nose or dissolved into a solution and injected.
What Does Crystal Meth Smell Like?
Crystal meth is often manufactured in “meth labs” that are located in houses, garages, or sheds. One sign of an illicit meth lab is a powerful unpleasant smell that has been compared to ammonia, rotten eggs, and urine. This pungent crystal meth sign results from the chemicals that are used to make the drug.
What to Do if You Think a Loved One Is Using Crystal Meth?
If someone that you care about has been exhibiting crystal meth signs and symptoms, it’s important that you don’t ignore your suspicions.
Crystal meth use can have a devastating impact on a person’s physical and mental health. You can’t cure a person’s addiction, but you can play a vital role in connecting them with the help they need.
Help for Crystal Meth Addiction
- Educate yourself about crystal meth symptoms and signs. Understanding what to look for can help you confirm your concerns.
- Research treatment options and providers. There is no single right way to treat crystal meth addiction. Try to find addiction treatment centers that seem like the best fit for your loved one.
- Talk to your loved one. Express your concerns, emphasize your love and support, and share the information you’ve gathered about treatment.
- Be prepared for pushback. Your loved one may respond with denial, anger, or hostility. Understand that this is a likelihood and prepare yourself accordingly. Don’t let the discussion devolve into an argument.
- Listen to your loved one. Their willingness or hesitance to discuss what they’ve been going through can give you vital insights into their current mindset.
- Keep the conversation going. It will likely take more than one chat to get your loved one to open up to you about their struggles with crystal meth.
- Consult with experts. The treatment centers that you are considering for your loved one may be able to advise you about how to support someone who is not yet ready to ask for help.
You may also want to get professional help for yourself. If you’re not already seeing a therapist or counselor, this may be a good time to start. Whether you realize it or not, you are affected by your loved one’s involvement with crystal meth. Remember: You can’t provide the best support to someone else if you are neglecting your own mental health needs.
Treatment Options for Crystal Meth Addiction
Treatment for someone who has been exhibiting signs and symptoms of crystal meth addiction often begins with detoxification and then continues into residential and/or outpatient programming.
Detoxification, or detox, is a short-term program that can help people get through crystal meth withdrawal as safely and comfortably as possible. When someone tries to stop using crystal meth on their own, the distress of withdrawal can quickly push them back into active substance abuse. In such cases, detox can be an essential first step toward successful recovery.
During residential and outpatient treatment, people can participate in addiction therapy sessions to accomplish goals such as the following:
- Learning to manage cravings and other urges to use crystal meth
- Developing better problem solving and conflict resolution skills
- Identifying and addressing co-occurring mental health concerns
- Replacing negative thought and behavior patterns with healthier ways of thinking and acting
- Repairing relationships that were harmed by crystal meth use
- Establishing an effective personal support network
Contact Renewal Health Group About Our Crystal Meth Treatment in Southern California
Renewal Health Group offers an array of customized treatment options for adults who have become addicted to crystal meth. At convenient locations throughout southern California, our dedicated treatment professionals help adults end their substance abuse and find their path toward successful, long-term recovery. When you’re ready to get started, the Renewal Health Group team is here for you. To learn more or to schedule a free assessment, visit our Contact page or call us today.
