Meth Addiction Signs

Spotting the Tell Tale Signs of Ice Use: Meth Addiction Signs

The crystalline drug, methamphetamine (or “meth), is a stimulant street drug made up of multiple chemicals that come in pill, powder, or rock form. Meth can be snorted, injected, or smoked through a glass pipe. This drug has various names: ice, chalk, speed, crank, glass, Chrissy, crystal, and many more. Meth hooks users, usually on the first try, because of the “rush” of hyperactivity and energy that this drug brings. Unfortunately, this common club drug tends to be highly addictive even after one use. There are specific meth addiction signs that are fairly easy to recognize that you should be aware of, in case you suspect a friend or family member is using this drug.

The Tell-Tale Signs of Ice Use

Ice users tend to abuse this drug frequently due to the euphoric rush it brings. This high tends to come and go fairly quickly, usually within a few minutes. It’s not uncommon to hear about an ice user taking this drug for days without stopping to eat or sleep. When users come down from this drug, violent tendencies and other dangerous symptoms typically occur. There is significant physical deterioration associated with ice.

The side effects of this drug are usually obvious, making the tell tale signs of ice use easy to identify just by observing the user’s physical appearance. The most common signs someone is on ice are:

• Extreme weight loss
• Increased alertness
• Eyes darting back and forth/excessive blinking
• “Meth mouth” (rotting and corroded teeth and gums)
• Grayish skin tone
• Lesions from picking “crank bugs”
• Hallucinations
• Anxiety and paranoia
• Aggression
• Distinct urine-like odor
• Twitches and “jerky” movements
• Continuous clenching of the jaw

Less Evident Meth Addiction Signs

Aside from the specific meth addiction signs, there are physical effects taking place in the body that can be severely harmful overtime. Some of the others dangers that come along with meth abuse are:

• Increased body temperature
• Increased metabolism causing lack of appetite
• Increased heart rate and blood pressure
• Brain damage
• Kidney and liver damage
• Lung damage

Hallucinations, psychosis, and suicidal or homicidal thoughts are other meth addiction signs. Meth users can be highly dangerous because of these side effects. Because meth chemically alters the brain by flooding it with dopamine and increases body temperate, users are at risk for convulsions or seizures when coming down from this drug as well. The possibility of stroke and heart attack may result from rapid heart rate and increased blood pressure.

Approaching a meth addict in public can be dangerous, so if you see signs someone is on ice, try to avoid interaction. Meth users, especially those who are coming down from the high, are known to be unpredictable.

Meth addiction signs are easy to spot, so if you have a friend or family member that exhibits tell tale signs of ice use, it’s important to conduct an intervention to get them necessary professional help. Treating the physically and psychological damage done to the body is easier when done sooner, rather than later.

The Need for Professional Help

Emotional issues that arise from meth addiction should be treated with help of professional drug addiction counselors who can help the user identify the reasons for drug abuse. Additionally, any underlying behavioral or mood disorder that may be contributing to the addiction will be treated as well.

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.