Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 4: Physical Signs
• Method 2 of 4: Mental Symptoms
• Method 3 of 4: Behavior
• Method 4 of 4: Consumption
• Additional articles

Methamphetamine is a highly addictive psychostimulant. Methamphetamine is available in the form of a white or light brown powder with visible crystals. Most often it is smoked, but sometimes it is also taken in the form of injections or pills. Parents and loved ones can recognize the signs of methamphetamine addiction so they can come to the rescue immediately and help them cope with the addiction. Methamphetamine use can be identified by physical, mental and behavioral signs.

Steps

Method 1 of 4: Physical Signs

1. 1 Watch for physical changes. Notice the change in appearance.Unlike other drugs, methamphetamine often causes noticeable changes in appearance. Take a closer look at the person. Are there any noticeable changes in its appearance? Maybe he looks sick, and he complains of malaise? The following symptoms are common with methamphetamine use:
   • Noticeable weight loss due to loss of appetite.
   • Dilated pupils.
   • Dull, tired eyes, dark circles under the eyes (this can be caused by lack of sleep).
   • Twitching of the eyelids.
2. 2 Look out for tooth decay. Methamphetamine has a negative effect on the health of teeth - they darken and deteriorate (such a thing as “methamphetamine mouth” is known). Using methamphetamine can also cause redness and irritation of the gums.
   • Caries is possible, teeth may darken.
   • Loss of teeth is possible.
   • Photos of the “methamphetamine mouth” can be found on the Internet.
3. 3 Look closely for injection marks or nosebleeds. If the drug is injected with a syringe, you will notice injection marks; sniffing methamphetamine results in nosebleeds. In addition, if you smoke with a glass or metal pipe, burn marks may appear.
4. 4 Pay attention to body odor. People who take methamphetamine often have a very unpleasant body odor. This is due to both the drug itself and the fact that a person forgets to wash. This often resembles the smell of ammonia.
5. 5 Watch for signs of premature aging. People who use methamphetamine often look older than their age with loose and itchy skin and frequent hair loss.
6. 6 Pay attention to poor skin condition. People who abuse methamphetamine often have skin problems due to their frequent scratching of their face.
   • Pay attention to the wounds on the face.
   • See if the person is scratching their face.
   • The wounds are susceptible to infection, which leads to the formation of ulcers and scars.
7. 7 Remember long-term health results. People who use methamphetamine are more susceptible to various diseases, including high blood pressure and heart disease. As a result, they often die earlier than others. Taking methamphetamine can lead to the following:
   • Hypertension, or high blood pressure.
   • Tachycardia, or rapid heartbeat.
   • Hyperthermia, or fever.
   • High doses of methamphetamine can cause heart attack, stroke, seizures, kidney or liver failure.
   • Smoking methamphetamine can cause respiratory problems, such as bronchitis.
   • Cheeky sexual behavior and repeated use of syringes increase the risk of HIV and hepatitis C.

Method 2 of 4: Mental Symptoms

1. 1 Pay attention to the fleeting manifestations. The use of methamphetamine can affect both after a few hours and a day, depending on various factors. After taking methamphetamine, you may experience the following:
   • Euphoria (due to increased concentration of dopamine in the brain).
   • Increased activity.
   • Increased levels of cortisol (stress hormone).
   • Decreased feelings of fear.
   • Overconfidence.
   • Improved concentration of attention.
   • Decreased appetite.
   • Hypersexuality and increased libido.
   • Excess energy.
   • Hyperactivity, which can manifest as excessive talkativeness and inability to sleep.
   • Heavy use of methamphetamine can lead to symptoms such as increased feelings of anxiety, restlessness, compulsive behavior, and tremors (shaking).
2. 2 Look for longer lasting signs. Due to chemical changes in the brain, certain symptoms of a mental disorder appear. Symptoms of methamphetamine use include:
   • Impaired judgment, lethargy.
   • Hallucinations and illusions, auditory or visual.
   • Aggressive behavior caused by drug unavailability (for example, a fight for no reason).
   • Increased anxiety, depression.
   • Paranoia, persecution mania.
   • Social isolation.
   • Insomnia.
3. 3 Behavior deviations. People who use methamphetamine often exhibit deviations from normal social, professional and functional behavior. Methamphetamine use negatively affects school, professional and social life. Signs of this can be identified as follows:
   • Chat with the person's teachers, peers, and close friends. They will help you figure out the features of his behavior.
   • If the person is working, talk to their coworkers. They will be able to tell you about his behavior at work and how he fulfills his job responsibilities (when he comes to work, leaves it, and so on).
   • Take a closer look at whether the person observes the law, to the social and financial conditions of his life. Poor social life, financial hardship and frequent legal problems can be attributed to methamphetamine abuse.
4. 4 Notice the difficulty of thinking. They can manifest as reduced cognition and poor memory. Taking methamphetamine damages a large number of brain cells. This damage is caused by various harmful substances that are used in the manufacture of methamphetamine, and it can lead to mental retardation and memory impairment. Please note the following:
   • Concentration problems.
   • Problems with short-term memory and solving various problems.
   • Reduced decision-making ability.
5. 5 Watch for signs of withdrawal. These signs appear when a person stops taking the drug. Typically, most withdrawal symptoms resolve within 7-10 days after stopping methamphetamine. Unlike other drugs, these are mostly psychological rather than physical symptoms. These include the following signs:
   • Anhedonia (loss of a sense of joy, pleasure), decreased motivation.
   • Irritability, anxiety, depression.
   • Low tolerance for frustration.
   • Lack of energy, tiredness.
   • Drowsiness.
   • Disturbed social life.
   • Inability to concentrate.
   • Decreased sex drive.
   • Suicidal and self-harming thoughts.
   • Intense craving for the drug, which can last up to five weeks.

Method 3 of 4: Behavior

1. 1 Observe the behavior of the person. Several behavioral patterns are indicative of methamphetamine use. Methamphetamine abusers often face the following social problems:
   • Inappropriate and unsafe sexual behavior due to drug-induced confusion and inability to make decisions.
   • Excessive aggressiveness leading to problems in relationships with parents, other relatives and peers.
   • Communication with those who abuse or have access to drugs.
2. 2 Pay attention to hyperactivity and impulsivity. Methamphetamine use often leads to hyperactive and impulsive behaviors and decreases the ability to think well. Take a closer look at the person's behavior and notice unusual and strange things.
   • Note the excessive talkativeness. For example, a person may try to complete phrases for others and give advice to everyone, regardless of whether he or she understands the subject under discussion.
   • With increased impulsivity, a person may behave recklessly and not think about the possible consequences of their risky behavior.
3. 3 Pay attention to financial problems. People who use methamphetamine often have financial difficulties. For example, they may spend all their money on drug purchases.Keep in mind that teenagers are usually given pocket money by their parents, so drug use puts them in a difficult financial situation. Take a closer look at the following signs:
   • Lack of money for everyday needs due to excessive spending on drugs. Pay attention to unpaid bills or refusal of basic necessities (such as food).
   • Loan of money for the purchase of a drug.
   • Problems with friends and peers due to non-repayment of debts.
   • Problems in relations with parents, complaints about the lack of money.
   • Avoiding answering the question of what exactly the money was spent on.
   • Theft.
4. 4 Take a closer look at who the person is communicating with. People who use methamphetamine have frequent contact with those who also abuse drugs. This is one of the easiest ways to determine if a person is using drugs. Methamphetamine addicts are often associated with the following people:
   • Those who abuse methamphetamine and other drugs.
   • People who have free access to drugs.
   • Those who do not pose a threat, that is, they will not inform their relatives about drug use and will not criticize for it.
5. 5 Consider secretive behavior and social isolation. When using methamphetamine, a person can spend whole days behind closed doors. In addition, drug use can be accompanied by secretive behavior.
6. 6 Look out for your methamphetamine use. If you find a person's drug addictions, it can be a strong reason for them to be using methamphetamine (or another drug). This could be the following:
   • An empty ballpoint pen or other tube for sniffing methamphetamine.
   • Crumpled aluminum can.
   • A small bag with white powder or crystals.
   • A can of beer or water with a hole in the side.
   • A syringe that can be used to inject drugs.

Method 4 of 4: Consumption

1. 1 Consider the nature of your rare use of methamphetamine. Some people rarely use methamphetamine in order to experience a surge of energy, euphoria, invigorate and enhance their abilities. These people are not addicted to the drug and tend to swallow or sniff methamphetamine.
   • Rare methamphetamine use can be used by truck drivers to stay awake on long journeys, night shift taxi drivers and other workers, caregivers and others who struggle with sleep.
2. 2 Be aware of your frequent use of methamphetamine. With frequent, regular use, methamphetamine is injected or smoked. As a result, the person feels a surge of energy and excitement. This can develop into psychological and physical addiction, and more and more drugs are required over time.
3. 3 Recognize signs of overuse. In this case, the person needs another dose of methamphetamine every few hours. This can continue for several days.
   • After taking methamphetamine, a person feels mental and physical recovery. He feels a significant surge of strength, which, however, can be replaced by a rapid decline.
   • Common symptoms of overuse include insomnia, hallucinations, paranoia, irritability, and wanton aggression.
   • Excessive use of methamphetamine is often accompanied by aimless compulsive actions, such as shifting objects from place to place or repeated dusting.
   • A few hours after using the drug, a person can fall asleep and sleep for several days.

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