Methamphetamine is a highly addictive illegal stimulant drug, one that has been responsible for a significant number of violent crimes in recent years. People who use methamphetamine are liable to develop a physical and psychological dependence the very first time they use the drug, setting off a vicious cycle of drug-seeking and using behaviors that can quickly devolve into a range of serious – sometimes irreversible – consequences.
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How Meth Abuse is Related To Violent Behavior?
Why do people who use meth act out in angry and aggressive ways? Why are there so many violent crimes tied to meth use? According to an article published by the US National Library of Medicine titled Methamphetamine Use and Violent Behavior: User Perceptions and Predictors, most methamphetamine users who are studied reported that their violent outbursts were linked to psychological symptoms of chronic use.
For example, men and women who use methamphetamine for extended periods often experienced intense paranoia. They believe that people were out to get them; when they reacted violently, most of them said they believed it was in self-defense. Of course, to the outside world, these are nothing more than drug-induced delusions. A meth user who attacks another person will not be let off the hook because they believed they were acting in self-defense.
Why Does Meth Cause Violent Behavior?
Methamphetamine, also known as meth, can lead to violent behavior due to its effects on the brain and body. Here’s a brief overview of the key reasons:
- Altered brain chemistry: Meth stimulates the central nervous system, flooding the brain with dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure, reward, and motor function. This flood of dopamine creates an intense rush of euphoria. However, with chronic use, the brain’s dopamine system becomes impaired, leading to difficulties in feeling pleasure without the drug, which can cause frustration and irritability.
- Paranoia and hallucinations: Meth use can lead to a condition known as methamphetamine psychosis, which is characterized by paranoia, hallucinations, and delusions. These symptoms can lead individuals to react violently if they feel threatened or perceive things that are not real.
- Impulsivity and aggression: Meth can reduce inhibitions, leading to impulsive and sometimes aggressive behavior. The drug can cause a user to lose control of their impulses, potentially resulting in violent actions.
- Withdrawal: Withdrawal from meth can lead to severe depression, anxiety, and agitation. These emotional states can potentially escalate into violence.
- Physical effects: Meth use often leads to sleep deprivation and malnutrition, both of which can affect mood and judgment. Chronic sleep deprivation can cause irritability, cognitive impairments, and mood swings, which can contribute to violent behavior.
It’s important to note that not all meth users become violent, and other factors can influence this outcome, such as the individual’s environment, underlying mental health conditions, and the presence of other substances. Treatment for meth addiction often involves addressing these underlying issues, along with the physical dependency on the drug.
Side Effects of Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine is a highly addictive stimulant with a range of devastating side effects, impacting both physical and mental well-being. Here are just some of the dangers associated with meth use:
- Impact on Brain Function: Meth significantly impairs brain function, affecting crucial areas responsible for impulse control and decision-making. This makes it incredibly difficult for users to avoid the drug, even when faced with negative consequences.
- Intense Cravings: Methamphetamine creates intense cravings, further fueling the cycle of abuse. These cravings can be overwhelming and contribute to relapse, even after periods of sobriety.
- Physical Health Problems: Meth use can lead to a variety of physical health problems, including a dangerous increase in blood pressure, which can strain the cardiovascular system.
- Hyperactivity and Weight Loss: The stimulant effects of meth often manifest as hyperactivity. It also suppresses appetite, leading to significant and often unhealthy weight loss.
- Psychotic Symptoms: Long-term meth use can trigger or worsen psychotic symptoms, such as hallucinations and paranoia. These experiences can be terrifying and debilitating.
- Mental Illness and Exacerbation of Conditions: Meth can mimic or exacerbate existing mental illness. In some cases, prolonged use can even trigger or worsen schizophrenia.
- Impaired Judgment and Decision-Making: The combination of impaired judgment, psychological changes, and intense cravings creates a powerful and dangerous cycle that is difficult to break without professional addiction treatment and support.
Overcome Meth Misusing
If you have been abusing methamphetamine, you might feel like there is absolutely no way out. If you have attempted to quit on your own, there is a good chance that you’ve been unsuccessful and have fallen deeper and deeper into the vicious cycle of compulsive drug use.
The good news is that recovery is possible no matter how far down the scale you have gone. Even if you have been abusing methamphetamine for years, you can overcome even the most severe substance abuse disorder with a long-term treatment program in place. To learn more about Allure Detox and methamphetamine addiction recovery, contact us today.
Methamphetamine Withdrawal Symptoms
If you or someone you love has been using methamphetamine for an extended period, it is entirely impossible to avoid undergoing withdrawal when used to stop suddenly. Therefore, it is always recommended that a person who has been abusing meth enters into a program of medically monitored detox where they will undergo a safe and pain-free withdrawal. The symptoms associated with methamphetamine withdrawal include:
- Severe stomach cramping
- Muscle aches and pains
- Aching joints
- An inability to fall asleep and stay asleep
- Persistent nightmares
- Intense headaches
- Extreme anxiety, which can lead to panic attacks when left untreated
- Depression, which can lead to suicidal ideation and suicide attempts when left untreated
Allure Detox and Methamphetamine Recovery
While methamphetamine withdrawal is generally not too physically uncomfortable, it can result in severe psychological symptoms that will need to be thoroughly addressed in a closely monitored detox facility. At Allure Detox, we have psychiatric professionals on staff who can treat all psychological withdrawal symptoms the moment they develop. We understand how addictive methamphetamine can be and how crucial ongoing support and supervision are for someone new to sobriety to avoid returning to drug abuse. This is a critical component of substance abuse treatment.
Start Healing Your Methamphetamine Abuse
Our inpatient detox facility allows for 24/7 monitoring. In addition, we offer rehab placement services so that there is no significant period between medical detox and the next appropriate level of addiction treatment.
It is generally recommended that a person struggling with methamphetamine addiction, a form of substance use disorder, transfer directly into a residential treatment center after being physically stabilized and all psychological withdrawal symptoms have been addressed. This provides the necessary support for a loved one or family member battling addiction. To learn more about our methamphetamine detox program or begin with our simple and uncomplicated admissions process, contact us today.
Published on: 2021-07-21
Updated on: 2025-02-19
