Methamphetamine, also known as meth, is a powerful and dangerous stimulant drug. People from all walks of life take meth every day for a range of reasons. For example, some may use meth to self-medicate for undiagnosed mood disorders or self-soothe unprocessed trauma and prolonged stress. Like other addictive substances, the safest way to stop using meth is with the help of a meth detox center.

If you or someone in your life is struggling with meth, don’t quit cold turkey. Reach out to Atlanta Detox Center today for help. Our residential treatment programs can help you overcome meth withdrawal symptoms and begin a life of recovery. Call us now at 470-450-2355 or contact us online to learn more about our meth detox center in Atlanta.

What Does Meth Do to the Body?

As a stimulant, meth works by speeding up messages from the brain to the nervous system and body. This will speed up processes like heart rate and metabolism. Often made in home labs, meth is cheap and often easy to get. That also makes it difficult to know what is in a dose of meth because it’s made at home and unregulated.

View inside of a clandestine methamphetamine lab.

In its more concentrated crystallized form, methamphetamine powder is called crystal meth. Both types of meth give people a fast and powerful high by releasing dopamine. Dopamine is a naturally occurring chemical that gives us feelings like pleasure, joy, and mental focus. Dopamine itself can cause a dopamine reward effect, meaning that the more dopamine someone takes, the more dopamine they will want. While the brain produces dopamine every day, meth provides a huge surge of dopamine in an instant, making meth highly addictive.

Meth can cause:

• Increased sensations
• Manic behavior
• Joy or elation
• Paranoia
• Confusion

It can also increase heart rate and body temperature, leading to a seizure or a heart attack during an overdose. Meth also increases arousal and can make people more social, making it a popular drug in some clubbing circles.

A meth high can last up to twelve hours, after which the body starts to re-regulate. During this time, the body slows down as processing speeds return to normal. People generally experience a low mood, depression, anger, anxiety, and fatigue as the body regulates.

Signs of Meth Addiction and Meth Withdrawal Symptoms

The first sign of meth addiction is withdrawal. Withdrawal differs from the “come down” effect someone experiences when meth leaves their system. Withdrawal occurs when the brain stops making its own dopamine and relies on meth for other chemical processes. During this stage, the brain also believes it cannot live without more meth.

Meth withdrawal symptoms typically include:

• Paranoia
• Drug cravings
• Confusion
• Changes in appetite
• Changes in sleep
• Fatigue
• Difficulty staying awake
• Anxiety

For those who use meth to self-medicate for mental health, withdrawal can worsen mental health disorders like anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. During withdrawal, willpower is not enough to stop someone from using more meth or other drugs. Meth detox symptoms can cause someone to become a danger to themselves or others. That’s why it’s important to undergo treatment as a reputable meth detox center.

Begin Your Recovery from Meth Addiction at Atlanta Detox Center

If you or someone you love is struggling with meth, don’t wait for help. Meth overdose is common and avoidable. Our team at Atlanta Detox Center is here to help you and your loved ones recover from methamphetamines and other substances. Our detox center provides Atlanta with residential detox treatment. With an emphasis on stress-reduction, we help clients make meaningful change in their daily lives through detox and behavioral therapy. If you or someone you care about would like more information about signs of meth withdrawal or how we can help, call us now at 470-450-2355 or fill out our online contact form.