Texas Women’s Meth Addiction Rehab

What is Meth and What Makes it Addictive?

Methamphetamine, more commonly referred to as meth or crystal meth, is a potent and highly addictive stimulant that affects the body’s central nervous system. Meth often comes in the form of a white, bitter-tasting, odorless powder or crystals that easily dissolves in water or alcohol. Meth can be swallowed, smoked, injected, and snorted. Since meth is one of the most highly addictive drugs, some users begin to experience the signs of meth addiction with just one use.

Common Side Effects of Meth Use in Women

Meth causes a surge of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is the “feel good” transmitter that leads to the rush of euphoria women can become hooked on very quickly. Once the drug wears off, dopamine levels drop significantly, leading to depression and cravings for more of the drug. This change in mental status is highly addictive and leads to substance use disorder.

Other effects of meth addiction include:

• Feelings of alertness and mental acuity
• Increased heart rate and heart arrhythmias
• Increased body temperature, sometimes to dangerous levels
• Suppressed appetite, which can lead to weight loss
• Nausea and vomiting
• Delusions and hallucinations

Over the long-term, meth can be one of the most destructive drugs around. Women may experience lung, kidney, and liver damage, brain damage, and an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Meth users may become malnourished as a result of a decreased appetite and may go for long periods of time without sleep. Long-term meth use can also cause severe anxiety, paranoia, and depression. Meth can cause a sensation known as “skin crawling,” which leads women to constantly pick and scratch at their skin.

Signs and Symptoms of Meth Abuse

How addiction affects women differs from person to person, as there are different levels of substance abuse, and some women may be better at hiding the signs than others. If you’re trying to identify if someone has an addiction, your first step should be considering the typical behavior of your loved one and how their current behavior is different from that. There are also a number of emotional and physical signs that could be indicative of a meth addiction.

There are numerous signs to look for, but the most common signs of meth addiction in women include:

• Increased activity and wakefulness without the need for sleep
• Skin infections and abscesses, due to constant picking at the skin
• Significant weight loss and signs of malnutrition
• Memory loss and mood disturbances
• Paranoia, aggressive or violent behavior
• Delusions and hallucinations
• Severe tooth decay, known as “meth mouth”

If you’ve noticed any of these signs with a loved one in your life, seeking help is critical to treat meth addiction.

As women stop using meth, they will likely experience intense withdrawal symptoms, including extreme fatigue, depression, psychosis, and suicidal thoughts. That’s why our treatment center offers supervised medical detox programs that help women who are determined to beat their addiction reach their goals. If you or your loved one is ready to get started with substance abuse treatment, reach out to our admissions team today.

Do Women Need Detox for Meth Addiction?

Most women will need to go through a medically supervised meth detox program at the start of their treatment. Methamphetamine withdrawal symptoms can vary in severity and duration based on various factors, including the method of drug use, dosage, and the individual’s history of meth use.

During meth treatment, medical professionals assist women in managing symptoms from the drug abuse as they work to clear the drug from their body.