General Information

Methamphetamine (methcathinone and amphetamine) is a psychostimulant drug, primarily used for recreational purposes. It stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, the ‘fight or flight’ mechanism, which increases heart rate and blood pressure and induces hyperglycemia, and bronchodilation. Methamphetamine acts directly on the brain’s reward mechanisms, causing excitement and a euphoric ‘high,’ thus making it highly addictive. Methamphetamine rapidly enters the brain, precipitating a cascading release of norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin. Users may become obsessive/compulsive or perform repetitive tasks, such as cleaning, hand-washing or assembling/disassembling objects, appliances, etc. Methamphetamine is occasionally prescribed to treat extreme obesity, severe depression, decongestion, and for treating ADHD and narcolepsy under the brand name Desoxyn.

Methamphetamine comes in a variety of forms, most commonly as a colorless crystalline solid.

Side Effects

The most common side effects include twitching, jitteriness, repetitive behavior (known as ‘tweaking,’ hence the name Tweak), teeth grinding and jaw clenching, diarrhea, nausea, loss of appetite, agitation, talkativeness, irritability, panic attacks, increased libido, dilated pupils.

Addicts may lose their teeth abnormally fast, due to the drug’s effects that cause decreased production of acid-fighting saliva, resulting in tooth decay.

Overdose Side Effects

Effects caused by overdose of Methamphetamine may include formication (sensation of flesh crawling with ants or bugs), which often leads to compulsive picking of the skin creating infected sores (‘Meth Mites’). Other effects include paranoia, delusions, hallucinations, and kidney damage.

Addiction

Methamphetamine is highly addictive, particularly when smoked (inhaling the vaporized drug) or injected. It may also be absorbed anally or intravenously. As with all addictive drugs, the addiction potential is increased when the method of delivery causes the drug’s concentration in the blood stream to rise quickly.

Meth Detox and Meth Rehab

Meth detox is critical, prior to commencing meth rehab. Although meth detox, itself, is not a treatment for addiction, it can help relieve withdrawal symptoms while the patient adjusts to being Methamphetamine free. Long-term Methamphetamine use should not be abruptly discontinued except under the supervision of an experienced physician, who can manage the withdrawal symptoms and minimize the withdrawal period.

At Miramar Substance Abuse Treatment women are provided physician assisted and monitored meth detox, as well as comprehensive meth rehab services in Laguna Beach and Newport Beach in Southern California.

FOR IMMEDIATE HELP, call toll free (800) 455-1092 to speak with one of our counselors.