Health Effects of Methamphetamine Abuse

Clinically Reviewed by Matt Hawk ICAADC, CACII, Written by Karen Hadley

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When we think of drug addiction and alcoholism, our thoughts generally always turn to the addiction itself and all the problems that stem from that unbreakable habit: the unhealthy lifestyle, strained family relations, legal troubles, and so on. While these problems definitely cause suffering, the serious impact on the addicted person’s health should not be overlooked. Methamphetamine, in particular, can be devastating to a person’s physical well-being.

Health Effects of Methamphetamine Use

Methamphetamine abuse leads to numerous severe health consequences affecting multiple body systems. Users typically experience significant physical deterioration that manifests in several characteristic ways.

The most common physical effects include severe dental problems, collectively known as “meth mouth.” This condition results from a combination of dry mouth (xerostomia), teeth grinding, and decreased saliva production, all of which accelerate tooth decay and eventual tooth loss. Skin issues are equally prevalent, with many users experiencing formication—the sensation of bugs crawling under the skin—which leads to self-inflicted sores from persistent picking and scratching. These wounds heal slowly and contribute to premature aging of the skin.

Nutritional problems are another major concern. Methamphetamine powerfully suppresses appetite, resulting in:

• Extreme weight loss
• Malnutrition
• Vitamin deficiencies
• Electrolyte imbalances

Infection risks increase dramatically among methamphetamine users. Poor hygiene, open sores, and compromised immune function make users susceptible to bacterial infections, particularly Staphylococcus (staph). These can manifest as cellulitis, skin abscesses, and even progress to more serious conditions like endocarditis. For those who inject the drug, bloodborne disease transmission is a serious risk. HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis B and C can spread through shared needles, syringes, cotton filters, preparation water, and other injection equipment.

The neurological and cardiovascular systems suffer significant damage from methamphetamine use. Cognitively, users may experience memory problems, impaired judgment, and increased risk of stroke. The cardiovascular system is strained by irregular heartbeat, increased blood pressure, and damaged blood vessels, all of which contribute to an elevated risk of heart attacks.

Physical Effects of Methamphetamine Use

Meth is most often smoked, which sends the drug straight to the brain. Of course, drawing meth smoke into the lungs is brutal for these delicate structures. When injected, there is a serious risk of the spread of diseases such as HIV and hepatitis, plus abscesses and cellulitis.

Methamphetamine crystals can be crushed into powder for inhalation through the nose. This method causes harm to the nasal and sinus passages. Some people also swallow methamphetamine.

Once the drug is in the bloodstream, it causes a short, powerful rush that lasts between 5 and 30 minutes, depending on how it was consumed. The immediate effects include:

• Euphoria
• Increased energy, focus, and alertness
• Increased confidence and sociability
• Decreased appetite
• Increased blood pressure
• Increased heart rate
• Increased body temperature

Some of the other short-term effects of methamphetamine use are quite alarming:

• Intense addiction
• Panic attacks
• Chest pain
• Hallucinations
• Violent or erratic behavior
• Seizures
• Depression
• Psychosis
• Convulsions

Specific Types of Damage Done by Methamphetamine

When this caustic, toxic drug is consumed repeatedly, serious organ damage begins to accumulate. In addition to intense addiction, the following types of health damage often occur:

• Hypertension leading to heart attacks or strokes
• Lung, liver, and kidney damage
• Damaged heart and brain blood vessels
• Malnutrition
• Severe tooth degeneration and loss
• Brain damage similar to Alzheimer’s disease or epilepsy
• Respiratory problems

Images of long-time methamphetamine users show the physical deterioration clearly. The face is ravaged, cheeks are sunken, teeth are missing, and eyes are hollow. Emaciation is likely because meth users typically fail to eat because the drug kills their appetites. They may also have sores on their faces or other parts of their bodies as hallucinations cause them to think that bugs are crawling under their skin. They pick at their skin in an attempt to get rid of the bugs. Hair loss is common.

Methamphetamine Use and Syphilis

In 2019, news sources and government agencies began to report on the increase in syphilis that corresponded with an increase in methamphetamine use. As noted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this increase continued through 2022, with syphilis cases increasing 80% in the prior five years. The CDC noted that meth use was associated increased HIV and syphilis positivity in certain drug-using populations.

Neurological Effects of Meth Use

The effects on the nervous system could be the most drastic and problematic. Continued methamphetamine use wreaks havoc on this sensitive system. A meth user risks confusion, memory loss, paranoia, cognitive impairment, loss of motor control and even persistent psychosis. Some of this damage may not reverse when meth use ceases.

Of course, when a person first uses methamphetamine, they are not thinking of this harm. They may not know anything about the risks they are taking when they take their first hit, or they may assume that serious damage is something that happens to someone else, not them. Meth is so addictive that for some people, one or two uses is all it takes for meth to be addictive. Then once meth grips the person’s life, these harms to health become all too real.

Working on the Health Crisis

Experts recommend that communities work together to raise awareness of all of the health risks and other dangers of drug use. But it is not just the drug use itself that carries risk. The lifestyle of a drug user also creates unpleasant and unwanted health issues. Those who become addicted may lose their homes, jobs, and families and end up in unhealthy situations or even homelessness. These deteriorating conditions make it even harder to maintain a healthy body.

Breaking Free from a Drug Habit

The drug abuse problem in America is a significant one. It is a societal problem and an individual one. Families across the country need solutions for their loved ones who have become caught in this trap. The Narconon drug rehab program has provided the solution for tens of thousands of program graduates around the world since its inception in 1966. Before you choose rehab for a loved one, learn about this program that never prescribes any drugs as part of rehab. Instead, generous nutritional supplementation helps ease withdrawal symptoms. An innovative method of flushing old drug residues out of the body finally provides relief from cravings. Life skills training enables a person to build a new sober life for themselves.

We're here. We're ready to help you.
Call us at 1-800-737-5250 to get help now. or learn more about the Narconon Drug Rehabilitation Program

It takes this well-rounded approach to drug rehabilitation to break a person free from the tight grip of addiction. Learn how the Narconon program can help your loved one start a new, sober life that lasts. Talk to a Narconon representative today.