Curiosity and a desire for the intense high that crystal meth offers is what leads many people to try it. However, they might not be aware of the long-term effects of crystal meth. Because the drug initially seems to increase energy and focus, you might continue its use. You start using more crystal meth, chasing the short high.
You will experience increasingly severe and dangerous physical and emotional effects. However, you can put an end to the effects of crystal meth. With the right crystal meth detox programs in South Florida, you can start your recovery journey. Call 866.294.5306 today.
Long-Term Effects of Crystal Meth
When you take crystal meth over an extended period, you experience severe physical and emotional effects. While the most extreme result is death from a stroke or cardiac arrest, other long-term effects of crystal meth use can severely damage your life. Only after crystal meth addiction treatment can they be mitigated. These effects include:
Extreme Outward Signs of Aging
None of us want to experience acne, dull skin, or cracked teeth. Unfortunately, these are common problems that occur when you use crystal meth over long periods of time.
Tactile Hallucinations
Have you ever felt that you have bugs crawling over your skin? Experts call this condition tactile hallucinations or formication. Feeling like you have small animals crawling all over you is one of the long-term effects of using meth. This condition can lead to scratching and itching, which can get worse at night.
Body Sores
Due to the feeling that you have insects crawling over your body, you may begin scratching your skin uncontrollably. As a result, you can develop body sores. Because you continually pick at them, unfortunately, they never get a chance to heal.
Mental Health Problems
Many drugs cause psychological issues. Unfortunately, crystal meth can make your mental health conditions worse. Long-term crystal meth use can lead to:
- Depression
- Hallucinations
- Paranoia
- Delusions
- Increased levels of anxiety
- Feeling isolated
Strange Behavior
Each time you use crystal meth, you are at risk of making adverse decisions. When you continue to use this substance, however, your behavior gets more bizarre, and you suffer from confusion.
How Crystal Meth Use Affects the Production of Dopamine in the Brain
One of the other effects of using crystal meth over an extended period of time is the way the brain produces dopamine. Since crystal meth is a stimulant, you become addicted to the good feelings the drug produces and want to maintain it.
When you don’t have the drug, and your brain is not producing dopamine naturally, you experience feelings of anxiety and depression, which might seem like your new normal. This often leads you to consume more of the drug. If you are trying to quit using it, it leads to relapse. However, there is a crystal meth detox that can help combat the long-term effects of crystal meth use.
After detox, you can promote natural productions of dopamine and find help for any lingering mental health disorders, including:
Treatment and Services Available for Crystal Meth Detox
Each client’s condition dictates their personalized crystal meth detox program. A quality detox program is designed considering your overall health, your typical dose, and any other mental health disorders you might be experiencing.
Treatment usually begins with a few days to get the crystal meth out of your system, while eating healthy, balanced meals to target your increased appetite. As well, you are encouraged to exercise moderately, which helps with producing and increasing natural dopamine levels in the brain healthily. Because detox is often accompanied by depression and other mental health issues, medication is sometimes used to help you manage these feelings.
As the process continues, you might use other detox services, such as:
- Dual diagnosis treatment
- Addiction counseling
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Group therapy focusing on accountability and relapse prevention
- Family therapy
At Serenity House Detox & Recovery, we help you get ready for crystal meth addiction treatment. We help you set the foundation for treating the long-term effects of crystal meth use. We start with detox. Contact us at 866.294.5306 to take the first step towards recovery and health.
