Crystal methamphetamine is a stimulant street drug that increases neurotransmitter activity in the brain, thus elevating mood, inducing euphoria and dramatically increasing energy and alertness. Crystal meth's effects last for up to 12 hours, and the drug is highly addictive. Use of crystal meth can cause agitation, confusion, anxiety, aggression, insomnia, depression, paranoia, hallucinations and even suicide and psychosis. It can be difficult to distinguish signs of crystal meth addiction from other psychological disorders, though certain symptoms, especially combined with drug-seeking behaviors, often point to meth addiction.
Mood Disturbances
While mood disturbances characterize many psychological disorders, those exhibited by methamphetamine addicts may have subtle distinctions. Listless depression can result from high-dose usage, and research indicates the depression is permanent for some addicts. In the throes of addiction, a user may vacillate rapidly between euphoria with extremely high energy for several days or more followed by incapacitating depression, irritability and fatigue.
Paranoia
Paranoia can result from crystal meth usage that falls short of addiction. However, an ongoing pattern of periodic or increasing paranoia points to a serious psychological problem, very possibly crystal meth addiction. Trained clinicians know how to distinguish paranoid schizophrenia or paranoid psychosis from methamphetamine addiction. Paranoia may manifest as extremely suspicious and irrational thoughts and beliefs, secretive behavior and even a delusional level of persecutory anxiety.
Hyperactivity and Repetitive Behavoir
Crystal meth addicts typically engage in repetitive behaviors that may or may not be functional. Addicts may spend hours cleaning, disassembling and re-assembling objects, exercising or creating repetitive artwork or writing. They usually do not exhibit much awareness that their behavior is unusual during these behaviors.
Weight Loss
While weight loss may be due to any number of reasons, it almost always accompanies crystal meth addiction. Meth has an intensely stimulating effect, as well as creating a marked decrease in appetite. Long-term or high-dosage use will invariably lead to weight loss, sometimes extreme.
References
- "Uppers, Downers, All-Arounders"; Darryl Inaba and William Cohen; 2000
- The Body: The Complete HIV/AIDS Resource: FAQ About Crystal Methamphetamine
- Drugfree.org: Methamphetamine
