Meth addiction can impact every aspect of your life. For many people, meth use began as a way to enjoy themselves at parties, stay awake, and maintain energy. Unfortunately, methamphetamine use is dangerous and carries risks for physical and psychiatric health. If you or someone you care about has experienced a meth-related psychotic episode, you may have some important questions about it. What is methamphetamine psychosis? Can meth addiction treatment help someone who has been using meth? Learning more about meth addiction and substance abuse treatment in general can help you make the best decisions when it comes to recovery care.
What Is Meth Psychosis and Why Does It Happen?
Psychosis is a complex mental condition that profoundly affects a person’s perception of reality. It manifests as a distortion that blurs the line between what is real and what is not. Individuals experiencing psychosis may encounter hallucinations, where they perceive things that are not actually present, or they may hold beliefs and ideas that lack logical coherence. Additionally, they may also experience paranoid feelings, constantly feeling threatened or suspicious of others.
Methamphetamine, commonly known as meth, is a powerful drug that exerts its effects on the central nervous system. Its impact extends beyond its immediate psychoactive properties. Why? Because it can lead to significant impairments in the functioning of the brain, nerves, and senses. When these vital areas of the body are disrupted due to meth use, individuals may exhibit severe physical symptoms, such as rapid weight loss, dental problems, and skin sores. Furthermore, the psychiatric effects of meth can include anxiety, depression, and even psychosis, exacerbating the already distressing consequences of its use.
It is important to understand the complexity of these conditions and the potential harm they can cause. By raising awareness and promoting education, we can work towards prevention, early intervention, and effective treatment strategies to support those affected by these challenges.
Does Meth Psychosis Only Happen to People Who Are Already Living With a Mental Health Condition?
Methamphetamine use, a potent stimulant, has been linked to the potential onset or worsening of psychiatric symptoms in individuals already grappling with mental health conditions. However, it is noteworthy that even individuals without a prior history of mental health conditions may also encounter psychiatric symptoms, including the possibility of experiencing psychotic episodes.
These effects underscore the complex interplay between substance abuse and mental well-being. Moreover, it highlights the need for comprehensive understanding and support in addressing these challenges.
What Are the Symptoms of Meth Psychosis?
Meth psychosis has similar characteristics to psychotic symptoms caused by mental health concerns. Some of the most common symptoms of meth psychosis are:
- Visual hallucinations, or seeing things that are not there
- Auditory hallucinations, or hearing things
- Tactile hallucinations, such as a feeling of something crawling on the skin
- Paranoid ideas, or thinking that people are “out to get you”
- Strange ideas about other people or the world
- Unreasonable, unpredictable behavior
- Violent or angry outbursts
If you’ve noticed any of these symptoms in a loved one, it is important to get help as soon as possible. Meth psychosis can be treated, but the sooner you seek help, the more successful the treatment program can be.
How Long Does Meth Psychosis Last and How Can It Be Prevented?
Sometimes, meth psychosis only lasts for a period of hours, wearing off as the meth itself loses its effectiveness. However, over longer periods of time, meth use can lead to periods of psychosis that can last days, weeks, or longer. Especially if a person is already living with a mental health condition, meth use can present a powerful danger of extended psychiatric illness.
The best way to prevent experiencing periods of meth psychosis is to stop using meth. In addition to the many other health risks that meth use carries, reducing the risk of psychiatric illness is a very good reason to think about seeking treatment for meth addiction.
Can a Meth Addiction Treatment Program Help?
If you or a loved one has been using meth, it’s time to reach out for help. Unfortunately, people who use meth tend to have problems at work or school, in their family and personal relationships, and even with law enforcement. Seeking treatment for substance use and addiction can help you or your loved one get back to living a healthy, happy life.
BrightView Offers Treatment for Methamphetamine Addiction
At our treatment centers, we treat you like a person, and we treat addiction like a disease. Each of our patients works closely with our staff of highly trained clinicians to set treatment goals and develop a plan to get them back to the life they love. If you or someone you care about has been using meth, reach out to us at 888.501.9865.
