What are the Signs Someone Is on Meth?

Going Beyond Skin Picking to Determine if a Loved One is Using Meth

You know that someone close to you is acting out of the norm, but you can’t quite put your finger on what might be wrong. Perhaps you already suspect that you’re experiencing some warning signs and want to know if your worst fears are indeed true.

But you need to be armed with knowledge: What are the signs someone is on meth?

Meth addiction can be insidious, with many warning signs being difficult to pinpoint. For example, they might have rapid weight loss, serious mental health issues, dilated pupils, insomnia, and meth mouth. Noticing them all together can clue you into routine meth use.

Icarus Behavioral Health in Las Vegas (and Henderson) offers meth addiction treatment that you can rely on to get a loved one sober. We offer comprehensive treatment plans at all levels of care in a safe, comfortable environment. Keep reading to know how you can spot the signs of meth use as early as possible.

What are the Early Warning Signs of Crystal Meth Use?

A friend or family member seems out of sorts, and you wonder if there may be something more to their behavior. If you can spot the early warning signs of meth use, you may be able to get them into treatment earlier. This can lead to better outcomes and fewer long-term health consequences.

Here are a few of the signs of meth use that you should be on the lookout for. Keep in mind that you may want to consider the big picture to identify the number of symptoms you spot before addressing them as a whole.

When Does Extreme Weight Loss Signal Crystal Meth Addiction?

While many people are interested in losing weight, methamphetamine abuse leads people to rapidly drop stubborn weight. Meth acts as an appetite suppressant, leading people to skip meals and fall into calorie deficits. On its own, this is enough to trigger the loss of a few pounds.

Meanwhile, it also boosts the body’s internal processes, but there is no food available to burn for fuel. The result is starvation and rapid weight loss.

What are the Common Signs of Mental Health Issues from Meth Use?

Even someone who isn’t predisposed to mental health issues could suffer from psychological symptoms when they’re in active substance abuse. Methamphetamine use often triggers lots of erratic behaviors, but it culminates in serious mental health symptoms like paranoia and hallucinations.

Keep in mind that these can be very dangerous as the person loses touch with reality. They may exhibit a tendency toward violent behavior under these circumstances, so strive to keep you and your loved one safe.

Are Dilated Pupils Enough to Signal Methamphetamine Addiction?

One of the early symptoms of a meth addiction is easy to spot: dilated pupils. However, this on its own may not be enough evidence to confront someone with the idea of receiving meth addiction treatment. Instead, you should also look for rapid eye movement.

As the central nervous system is stimulated with drug abuse, it makes it harder for the person to focus their eyes on one stationary object. Because of this, their gaze will often bounce around quickly. This type of rapid eye movement, coupled with dilated pupils, is a sign of using the highly addictive stimulant.

What About the Health Consequences of Staying Awake from Meth Abuse?

As meth addiction progresses, you may start to notice a pattern in your loved one. Typically, they will stay awake for days on end. The stimulant makes it impossible for their body and brain to power down, keeping them feeling wired regardless of the time of day.

As meth withdrawal begins to hit, they’ll frequently crash for days at a time. If they’re high for days and then stay in bed for a day or more, it’s a sign that they might be methamphetamine users.

Keep in mind that insomnia could be a sign of other mental health disorders like bipolar disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Be aware of their mood swings and other symptoms when seeking clinical help.

Can You Spot Meth Addiction with Meth Mouth?

One of the most obvious symptoms of prolonged meth use is meth mouth. This presents itself in a few different ways. First, you’ll notice severe dental problems that come from a lack of hygiene.

They may also grind their teeth due to the central nervous system stimulant, causing further damage to the teeth.

Combined with the chemicals that are in meth (especially if they are smoking it), you may see them develop sores, gum disease, and rotten teeth. If a loved one has lots of tooth decay and tooth loss alongside other symptoms like significant weight loss, you should try to get them help.

How to Secure Early Intervention and Meth Addiction Treatment

If you suspect that a loved one has a methamphetamine use disorder according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual criteria, early intervention is important. Meth users have a very long road ahead of them to break both physical and psychological dependence. Withdrawal symptoms will be hard to bear.

However, successful recovery is possible with early intervention. Confront your loved one with the ways that the drug takes precedence over their responsibilities and relationships. Lay out the signs of meth use that you have noticed in them, being totally transparent.

Then, you can present treatment plans to them like those offered at Icarus Behavioral Health Nevada. We offer treatment for addiction and mental disorders with individual cognitive behavioral therapy and support groups. Every client receives a comprehensive and personalized treatment plan.

Get a Loved One Help for Meth Abuse or Addiction at Icarus Nevada Today

When you feel confident that a friend or family member is using methamphetamine, you need to know what their options are.

Our admissions team is available to answer your questions about our addiction treatment programs, from inpatient to outpatient options. If available to you, we can even verify their insurance benefits to help you overcome the financial hurdle.

Reach out to us today to learn more about our programs and let us help you navigate these early days for your loved one. Please don’t hesitate to call confidentially and get them support now!

References

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3. Roehrs, T. A., & Roth, T. (2015). Sleep Disturbance in Substance Use Disorders. The Psychiatric clinics of North America, 38(4), 793–803.
4. Lee, H. H., Sudhakara, P., Desai, S., Miranda, K., & Martinez, L. R. (2021). Understanding the Basis of METH Mouth Using a Rodent Model of Methamphetamine Injection, Sugar Consumption, and Streptococcus mutans Infection. mBio, 12(2), e03534-20.
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