Jun 11, 2013 | By Tim Stoddart

Long Term Effects of Meth

Methamphetamine Addiction

Methamphetamine is a drug that’s fairly unique, and we hear about it in pop culture along with things like meth labs, tweaking, and meth mouth. “The Faces of Meth” is a widely-recognized campaign against the drug, and there’s no doubt of the harm it can visibly cause. The long term effects of meth use are varied, so here’s a look at some of the most serious ones.

long term effects of meth

Long Term Effects of Meth on the Body

Long term use of meth does a lot of damage to the body, both inside and out. The physical appearance of a long term meth user is shocking and usually more extreme than users of other drugs. Constricted blood vessels lead to a user’s skin appearing aged, because it loses its healthy glow and its elasticity. The damage to blood vessels and tissue also makes it more difficult for the body to repair damage, such as sores, which are common to meth users.

Meth users often experience damage to their teeth and gums. As their saliva dries up, it allows acid in the mouth to eat away at teeth and cause cavities. Without proper dental care, meth users often lose teeth. Grinding of teeth while high can also contribute to damage.

The damage to the blood vessels and high blood pressure that meth causes also affects the heart and brain, which can lead to heart disease, heart attack, stroke. Meth also damages the kidneys, liver, and lungs, and it can cause vision loss.

Long Term Effects of Meth on the Brain

Meth affects the brain specifically in the dopamine and serotonin systems, which are the “pleasure centers.” This damage can take more than a year to reverse, or it can be permanent. This will cause meth users to feel depressed, anxious, and irritable. They may experience mood swings, hallucinations, insomnia, the desire to self-harm, and psychosis, which are difficult to treat. It can also cause memory loss and difficulty concentrating. Meth users’ critical thinking and reasoning skills may be impaired.

The brain damage caused by meth also increases the risk of Parkinson’s disease, and the damage is similar to that caused by strokes, seizures, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Other Long Term Effects of Meth

When someone uses meth for a long period of time, they are at risk of becoming addicted. Addiction brings many other long term consequences, such as hurt relationships, financial security, and trouble with the law or in the workplace. When meth users become addicted and desperate for the next high, they may act violently or become suicidal.

Another risk of long term meth use is an increased tolerance. A user will need more meth to experience the same high, which will result in even more severe physical and emotional effects, and their risk of death is increased.

Other risks include indirect consequences of meth use. Because meth increases libido and lowers inhibitions, meth users could contract STDs or get other serious injuries. Meth also suppresses the appetite, so many users experience unhealthy weight loss and malnutrition.

5 responses to “Long Term Effects of Meth”

  • Marline

    10 years ago

    Reply

    I lived above addicts that used & made method daily. The fumes coming into my apartment were noxious. What are the effects of the fumes on a nonuser?

  • kelly

    10 years ago

    Reply

    My name is Kelly and my husband has been using for about three years without me knowing until I started catching on to how he was acting…well I ended up pregnant and finally confronted him about his addiction and got him to quit. So far he has been clean for almost three months but what can I do to help keep him away from returning? He means the world to me and I want him to be in our child’s life for a long time but the drug has taken a toll on his health.

    • Tim Stoddart

      10 years ago

      Reply

      Hi Kelly. Meetings are great for maintaining recovery. Also, maybe he could see a therapist. It’s all about support.

  • gurn

    9 years ago

    Reply

    HAY Kelly, Hows the man doin these days? HARD, Hard, hard to kick meth, he can be off it for years and still crave the high, Be aware that he will slip off the from time to time, Don’t be Angry, it happens to us all… Be firm with him and make him understand that you and your kids are much, much more to him then any HIGH he can get from meth! Make him increase the meetings he goes to, for a lil while. though the meetings are good for him, they tend to get just stupid, some of the speakers are so full of themselves itll make you vomit. Go with him to some of the meetings, be supportive in any way you can and I don’t mean NAGGING… good luck girl, you have the power to help him with his affliction. SORRY ABOUT THE SPELLING g.

  • Chanel

    9 years ago

    Reply

    My names Chanel, I’ve been using meth since Aug. 2015 .I have lost alot of weight I take care of my teeth so I’m not sure if meth mouth will still happen. .I don’t like to smoke it I prefer to shoot it up..I feel like it gets me high for like 30mins I feel like it just takes the edge off ..I hate I made the choice of using meth. ..so much was happening in my life when I decided to start I didn’t care. How does meth affect your bowels? Once I had to get a blood transfusion I was bleeding so much from my buttox ..I stopped for 3weeks cuz I had a run in with the law but once out of custody I was back at it only smoking/snorting it ..eventually I gave in and started shooting it again :/ a Lil bit of bleeding has again started but really not as bad as the first time any ideas of what could b happening with my body? I do not recommend anyone to start using meth it’s a ugly disgusting drug that will kill you…I have a few friends who are not the same person they once were. ..they talk to themselves talk about satanic stuff , do really weird things I hope I can recover from this addiction but still will tell anyone who’s “curious” it will be the worst mistake of your life!!!!

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