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Understanding the Long-Term Effects of Meth

Experience clinician-run addiction treatment at Red Oak Recovery® in the pristine Blue Ridge Mountains
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Methamphetamine is a drug that impacts millions of families and individuals alike around the globe each year. With methamphetamine, individuals feel a rush of energy and typically feel euphoric. This makes the drug extremely appealing and addictive, even after just one use. Understanding the long-term effects of meth on the mind and body is essential.

What Are the Long-Term Effects of Meth?

Some of the short-term side effects of meth use include a loss of appetite, increased heart rate, nausea, erratic behavior, irritability, insomnia, panic, hallucinations, and seizures in high doses. It is imperative to understand potential long-term effects that are likely to arise with continued use.

Long-term effects of using methamphetamine include the destruction of nostril tissues when sniffed, respiratory issues, and trouble if smoked, abscesses, roes, and infectious disease if injected, as well as significant weight loss. In severe long-term use cases, individuals are likely to experience many adverse effects. These include tooth decay, organ damage to the liver, kidney, and lung, damage to the heart and brain, high blood pressure, depression, strokes, psychosis, apathy, loss of focus, and disorientation. In some cases, individuals suffer from brain damage that is similar to various forms of Alzheimer’s disease. This can lead to additional epilepsy and stroke risks. Some use methamphetamine regularly and in dangerous quantities due to tolerance. These people have an increased risk of a stroke, heart attack, and death.

How Can You Treat Long-Term Effects of Meth?

Unfortunately, the side effects of meth can have a long-lasting impact on the body. This occurs in an individual who has used the substance excessively or out of habit for an extended period. Finding the right form of care and rehabilitation is essential for long-term addictions of any kind. This especially true if there is a physical risk to the body during the withdrawal period of recovery.

If you are seeking rehabilitation help for an addiction that you want to overcome, consider your current habits. Also, consider your usage when it comes to methamphetamine itself. Has your addiction come between your relationships, your job, or even your household and financial responsibilities? Do you find yourself preoccupied with the thought of obtaining the substance, regardless of your finances? Do you believe you are using methamphetamine out of habit? Would it be challenging to give up using it altogether?

Getting Help for Methamphetamine Addictions

Getting help for the long-term effects that you are likely to encounter with meth use and abuse of months, years, or even decade is possible. Seek out addiction therapy services and rehabilitation programs that specialize in methamphetamine addictions.

The right rehabilitation program may provide you with dual diagnosis recovery services to help find a program and method of treatment that is ideal for you and your needs. Dual diagnosis is necessary to help correctly identify and diagnose potential underlying mental illnesses or disturbances. These may have led to or are contributing to ongoing methamphetamine abuse.

We highly recommend a treatment program for anyone who is facing an addiction to methamphetamine. You need help to overcome the side effects of meth, in addition to the long term effects of meth use. Therefore, with a rehab program,  you can receive the care you need to detox from methamphetamine. This will occur in an atmosphere and environment that is welcoming, judgment-free, and comforting to you.

With The Willows at Red Oak Recovery program, our staff will work with you to create an individualized treatment plan for you based on the seriousness and severity of your methamphetamine habits and usage. Call us at 855.773.0614 for more information on finding a recovery program for you. You can learn how we can help you get started on the right path today.