Meth Drug Addiction

Meth drug addiction is a threat both to teens and many young people because of it's appeal for intense pleasure, high energy and weight loss benefits. But don't be fooled; this highly addictive drug has a dark and dangerous side that destroys lives.

Why do Kids Use Meth?

If this drug is so dangerous and so destructive, then why would anyone risk a Meth drug addiction? The answer lies in the way the drug makes the user initially feel. Teens are drawn to Meth because it makes them feel happy, is a way to ease boredom and helps them lose weight. On Meth, you can stay up for hours and dance the night away.

It's also cheap and easily available. Because it does cost less, but is also long-lasting, it is often called the poor man's cocaine.

Signs of Abuse

So how can you tell if someone you know has a meth drug addiction? Some of the signs include dilated pupils and dark circles or bags under their eyes. A person addicted to meth will also have an increased sensitivity to noise and light.

Someone who has just started using Meth will have an increased level of self confidence and euphoria. They'll have extreme energy levels. The teen who complained about doing homework before will suddenly be doing his work and other chores without complaint. The teen who had a weight problem will suddenly lose weight.

Things may seem great in the beginning, but as the addiction grows, new, disturbing symptoms will develop. Your loved will have a noticeable change in sleeping patterns and have huge mood swings. They'll seem irritable and anxious and chatter on about unconnected topics. They can also become aggressive.

Physical Effects

Physical characteristics of a meth drug addiction include excessive sweating and body odor and really bad teeth. Your teen could develop greasy hair and skin sores. He will hang out with different friends and wear clothes that promote drug use.

And finally someone with a drug addiction will resort to lying, stealing and borrowing money to fund their drug habit. While it's true that your loved one could be doing all of these things and not have a drug addiction, if she has more than four or five of these symptoms, it may be time to start searching her room for drug paraphernalia.

Long-Term Damage

Whatever “fun” you may experience using Meth wears off pretty quickly. When you take Meth, your brain releases a high amount of Dopamine, a brain chemical associated with feeling pleasure. But hours after taking Meth, your brain cells will release an enzyme that will stop the flow of dopamine, and it's a while before you can experience pleasure again.

Continue using Meth, and you get a whole range of nasty side effects, such as feeling paranoid, serious depression, convulsions, hallucinations, violent behavior, uncontrollable movements and twitching. Eventually you will suffer brain damage, strokes, impaired speech and an early death.

Return from Meth Drug Addiction to the Home Page

Free Ezine

We'll let you know about the latest happenings in treatments for drug addiction, effects of different drugs and where you can go to get help. In the future we'll also have real life drug addiction stories and how others are getting off drugs. This ezine is your source for what's going on with surviving drug addiction.

Learn More.