The Stages Of Meth Addiction

Stage 1. Experimental Stage of Meth Addiction

 

During this stage a person uses meth out of curiosity, the same reason why most people who use a drug for the first time, they use it out of curiosity. However, this curiosity can lead to an addiction based on a number of variables. The person uses meth to experience a positive or pleasant feeling. Relationships and employment remain intact and the person mainly uses meth with a friend or in social gatherings. In fact, one’s social or work performance may actually improve due to the meth use. Although this may lead to the person using meth on a regular basis because they are impressed with the effects of meth and their ability to preform daily tasks quickly and for long period of time without fatigue. 

 

Now the person is using meth on a regular basis to get the effects from the experimental stage. However, like most drugs the brain becomes used to the drug and the person eventually has to increase the dosage to get the same desired effects. This results in the user becoming dependent on meth. The user, or addict at this point, starts using meth more frequently and associating with other meth users. The addict now takes meth anytime, alone or around others. Since the person is now dependent on meth, the addict now "needs" the drug to prevent the negative effects of meth withdrawal such as extreme fatigue, depression, apathy, and irritability. Relationships, work, and health begin to suffer. meth addicts don’t get much sleep or eat due to the effects of the drug. Meth addiction can be pretty expensive, so the addict begins to suffer financially after spending tons of money on obtaining the drug. 

 

The meth addiction is in full control. The addict is totally preoccupied with obtaining and using meth. Nothing else matters. Addicts resort to criminal behavior to pay for their habit, which includes theft, robbery, and selling meth. Female meth addicts engage in prostitution or sexual favors to pay for their habits. The meth addiction leads to the person becoming completely separated from family and friends, unable to hold a job, and experiencing serious health problems. Severe meth addiction can result in violent behavior due to paranoia, psychosis, delusions, and hallucinations. Like a heroin addict, the meth addict’s physical appearance and hygiene starts to deteriorate. Eventually, the meth addiction becomes overbearing and so out of control that the person will seek treatment. Most meth addicts, like other addicts, go through a number of failed recovery attempts before they completely overcome the meth addiction. meth addiction can cause fatal heart attacks and other fatal heart ailments. Also, other serious health problems can result in death from meth addiction.