Methamphetamine is known to be one of the most quickly addictive illicit drugs on the market. Once addiction sets in, methamphetamine can also cause rapid deterioration not only of physical health but also one’s personal integrity and character.

Part of the reason for that is the intense cravings that drive the person to use this strong, toxic stimulant over and over. Once a person has used the drug enough times for the cravings to start – which for some people may just be a few uses – then everything else in life may take a back seat to getting more of the drug.

But what makes matters even worse is that a methamphetamine user becomes paranoid and may be highly delusional. In this state, horrific things happen all too often. Small children are abused, sometimes to the point of death and other family members can also fall to delusional methamphetamine users.

Case in point, the shooting deaths of two small children and a young adult at the hands of a methamphetamine smoker in Fresno, California, in January 2012. The USA Today article on this tragedy also cataloged other recent methamphetamine-related deaths: a mother in Bakersfield, California who stabbed her newborn baby; an Oklahoma woman who added her baby to the wash, resulting in the child’s drowning death; and a New Mexico woman who killed her son with a screwdriver.

Physical Damage Can Also be Severe

In addition to delusion and violence, one’s body also takes a beating when methamphetamine is used. Meth users normally stay up for days – as long as the meth holds out – and finally they finally crash and sleep around the clock only to repeat the pattern if they can get more of the drug. They seldom eat since the stimulant kills the appetite. Photographs of methamphetamine users over time show that the effects of meth cause them to age rapidly, developing a gaunt, haggard appearance.

Effects of methamphetamine can also include open sores on the face and arms as meth users pick at themselves, hallucinating that bugs are crawling under the surface of the skin. “Meth mouth” refers to the destruction of one’s teeth that occurs as a result of the caustic chemicals in the drug and the fact that one’s saliva supply is impaired during methamphetamine abuse.

If a person continues to abuse meth over a period of time, they can develop symptoms similar to Parkinson’s Disease and schizophrenia. High doses of methamphetamine can create so much stress on the body that the user may suffer from convulsions, stroke, cardiovascular collapse or death.

The homes of methamphetamine users are often filthy and littered with drug residue, fecal matter, old food and dirty clothes. The methamphetamine user is just not interested in health or hygiene, a fact that can be very dangerous for children in the home.

Despite the Seriousness of the Addiction, Narconon Arrowhead Can Help

The effects of methamphetamine damage a person in fundamental ways, and it can take some time for that person to rebuild the life skills needed to stay sober and relearn the care of his or her life and responsibilities. The long-term, holistic drug rehabilitation program at Narconon Arrowhead provides meth addicts with the time and guidance needed to rebuild those skills.

Instead of endless support group meetings, Narconon meetings consist of counseling to help one recover the clear perception of one’s current environment again plus life skills classes in choosing safe associates, a common sense moral code, how to restore one’s personal integrity and much more. As a result, even those addicted to methamphetamine find lasting recovery at Narconon Arrowhead in the majority of cases. For complete details on this drug-free program, call 1-800-468-6933 today.

References:

http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/infofacts/methamphetamine
http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_chem_info/meth.pdf
http://www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/research/job185drugs/methamphetamine.htm