Content

• Steps

Methamphetamine (meth) is a highly addictive nerve stimulant. Ice comes in a white or light brown, transparent powder, with visible crystals. This drug is most commonly smoked, but it can also be taken as an injection or a pill. A parent or relative can recognize the signs to find ways to help a meth addict cope with drug use. You can recognize the signs of meth use through physical signs, psychological symptoms and behavioral manifestations.

Steps

Method 1 of 4: Watch for physical cues

1. 

   Watch for physical changes. Recognize every change in the person's appearance. Meth users have very distinctive physical signs, unlike people who use other drugs with milder effects. Use your observation skills. Notice how the person looks different? Are there any signs of illness or illness? Common signs of meth users are:
   • Losing a lot of weight due to anorexia.
   • Dilated pupils.
   • Eyes look sluggish, tired, or dark circles (possibly due to lack of sleep).
   • Eyelid twitching.

2. 

   
   
   Look for signs of tooth decay. Meth can adversely affect teeth, stain and cause cavities, also known as "meth mouth". The person may also experience redness and sores from the damage caused by meth.
   • Teeth look rotten and dull.
   • Some teeth may be lost.
   • You can find pictures of "meth mouth" online for comparison.

3. 

   
   
   Check for injection marks or nosebleeds. You will notice the injection marks on the person's arm if they are injecting ice, or have a nose bleed if taken by inhalation. You may also see burns on a drug user's lips or fingers if they smoke using a hot glass or metal tube.

4. 

   
   
   Pay attention to unpleasant body odor. A person who uses meth often has an unpleasant odor. That's because of the stone drug smell plus the body odor because they forgot to shower while using this stimulant. Sometimes they smell like urine.

5. 

   Recognize the signs of premature aging. Ice users often look older than their age due to damaged skin, become rough and itchy, and hair may begin to fall out.

6. 

   Watch for signs of skin damage. People who use meth often have skin abrasions caused by constantly scratching their face unconsciously.
   • Look for facial sores.
   • Watch to see if the person is picking or scratching his face.
   • Lesions on the face often become infected, leading to ulcers and scarring.

7. 

   Recognize long-term health problems. Meth users are more susceptible to illness, including high blood pressure and heart disease. As a result, they can die at a young age. Using meth can cause the following health problems:
   • High blood pressure.
   • Heart beat fast.
   • Hyperthermia, which means that the body temperature is higher than normal.
   • Heart attack, stroke, seizures, and liver / kidney failure can result from high dose of meth.
   • Respiratory symptoms such as bronchitis, if they use meth by smoking.
   • Increased risk of HIV and hepatitis C infection due to indiscriminate sex and sharing needles.

Method 2 of 4: Watch for psychological cues

1. 

   Find immediate effects. The effects of meth can last for hours to a day, depending on the level of use. After taking methamphetamine, the person will experience symptoms such as:
   • Excitement (due to increased dopamine in the brain).
   • Increase alertness.
   • Increased levels of cortisol (stress hormone).
   • Reduce anxiety and anxiety.
   • Increase confidence.
   • Improve attention and concentration.
   • Reduce appetite.
   • Sexual agitation or increased libido.
   • Increased energy levels.
   • Hyperactivity - with a lot of talk and inability to sleep.
   • Meth is used in high doses and can cause: nervousness, restlessness, outburst, tremor. These symptoms are commonly referred to as squirm.

2. 

   Watch for signs over a long period of time. Some psychological symptoms may be evident due to chemical changes in the brain, suggesting the person is taking meth:
   • Shoot reduced judgment or restraint.
   • Having hallucinations or delusions, such as seeing or hearing something that is not real.
   • Aggressive behaviors when drugs are not available (eg, without reason).
   • Increased anxiety or depression.
   • Delusion or belief that someone is trying to harm you.
   • Separate from society.
   • Insomnia.

3. 

   Notice life disturbances. Occupational, social, and functional disturbances are common among people who use meth. Academic, professional and social life of drug users have all declined. You can detect signs of these disturbances in the following ways:
   • Stay in touch with teachers, peers or close friends with your loved ones. They can help you keep track of the person's recent activities.
   • Keep in touch with colleagues if the person is employed. They can tell you how your loved one is behaving at work and can tell you his or her daily routine, like when the person arrives at work and leaves, etc.
   • Observe the financial, social, and legal status of the person you suspect is using meth. Meth abuse often leads to poor social relationships, financial trouble, and frequent legal involvement.

4. 

   Watch for signs of impaired thinking. This can manifest in cognitive impairment and dementia. Continued use of meth results in damage to many brain cells. This damage is caused by chemicals used in the making of meth and is manifested by impaired brain function and memory loss. Watch for signs:
   • Difficulty in concentrating.
   • Difficulty in using memory and solving problems.
   • Lack of decision-making skills.

5. 

   
   
   Watch for signs of drug deficiency. Drug deficiency syndrome occurs when drug abusers stop using drugs. Most lack of medication symptoms will usually subside seven to ten days after taking meth. Unlike other drugs, the lack of medication symptoms among meth users are largely psychological rather than physical. These symptoms include:
   • Loss of pleasure or loss of motivation.
   • Irritation, anxiety, or depression.
   • Lack of ability to control frustration.
   • Loss of energy or fatigue.
   • Asleep.
   • Impaired communication.
   • Inability to concentrate.
   • Loss of sexual interest.
   • There may be thoughts of suicide or self harm.
   • Alcohol cravings - can last up to five weeks.

Method 3 of 4: Identify behavioral manifestations

1. 

   
   
   Pay attention to the person's activities. It is important to observe certain actions of the suspect person for signs of meth use. Some of the social problems most commonly encountered by drug addicts are:
   • Increased sexual activity and unsafe sex due to drug effects such as mental confusion and inability to make decisions.
   • Aggressive attitudes lead to problems in relationships with parents, friends, and siblings.
   • Hang out with people who also abuse drugs or have easy access to drugs.

2. 

   
   
   Recognize hyperactivity and impulsivity. Excessive hyperactivity, impulsiveness, and poor judgment are often associated with meth use. Pay attention to the person's behavior and see if they show any strange behavior.
   • Watch for signs of talking too much. For example, the person may try to interrupt and advise others, regardless of whether or not they are knowledgeable about the topic.
   • Impulsivity can manifest itself in a reckless manner and in disregard of consequences.

3. 

   Pay attention to financial troubles. Meth users often have money problems due to drug use. Some people spend all their money on drugs. Note that minors often have difficulty as they still have to ask their parents for pocket money. To have money to buy drugs, children often make up the shortage in many ways. Some of the signs that this person is having financial problems are:
   • Unable to meet financial needs because of overspending on drug related behaviors such as buying drugs or supplying drugs to a party. Watch out for unpaid bills or insufficient payments for casual items like food.
   • Have a lot of debt because you borrow money from others to serve the habit of drug use.
   • Money-related problems with friends and co-workers because meth addicts cannot pay their debts.
   • Disagreements with parents and often complaining that there is no money.
   • Unable to explain what the money was spent on when asked.
   • Stealing.

4. 

   Pay attention to people you hang out with. Meth users often hang out with people who abuse drugs. This is one of the easiest ways to detect drug use. Meth addicts often hang out with the following people:
   • People who use meth or any other drugs.
   • People have easy access to drugs.
   • The person is not a dangerous threat to them - that is, someone who will not talk back to the drug user's family or criticize their addiction behavior.

5. 

   Pay attention to covert behavior and social separation. When using drugs, the person will keep the door closed and stay in the room all day, leaving no one in the room. In addition, they will have a discreet, secret attitude to conceal their drug use.

6. 

   Look for meth equipment in the person's whereabouts. Drug use devices are a fairly clear sign of using meth (or another drug). Things you should look out for are:
   • Ballpoint pen cases or surgical tubes can be used to inhale meth.
   • Tin or aluminum foil is crumpled.
   • Small package of white powder or crystals.
   • Soft drink cans with holes on the sides.
   • Needles can be used to inject drugs.

Method 4 of 4: Understanding the types of people who use meth

1. 

   Understand the patterns of low intensity meth use. These people use meth just to enjoy so-called benefits, such as feeling energized, refreshed, alert and a sense of power. They are not psychologically addicted to drugs, and most of them take it by mouth or inhale.
   • Low-intensity meth users may include truck drivers trying to stay awake for long-distance driving, an employee wanting to stay awake for overnight work, a housewife struggling with work. home, raise children, and strive to be a "perfect" mate.

2. 

   Know about people who use strong drugs. Intense drug users prefer to use meth by injecting or smoking. They use drugs to have a feeling of "high" or excitement. They may be psychologically and physically addicted, and constantly take large amounts of drugs.

3. 

   Recognize the signs of binge use (continuous use pattern). People who take binge drugs must take it up every few hours to stay high. They can use it for days.
   • After taking drugs, binge users feel physically and mentally active. They feel extremely euphoric, but can quickly fall apart.
   • Common symptoms of binge drug users include: insomnia, hallucinations, paranoia, irritability, and unreasonable aggression.
   • Binge users experience sensations often attack, performing compulsive behaviors such as sorting objects or cleaning.
   • They may sleep for days after taking the last narcotic.