Meth and Mental Health
Methamphetamine is a controlled substance because it can be used for a small number of medical conditions. Most doctors never prescribe it unless necessary because of the high potential for abuse, addiction, and harmful side effects. Meth is a stimulant. It increases energy, focus, and concentration. The drug can make a user feel awake, alert, and euphoric. For these reasons, many people turn to meth as a substance of abuse. Meth can also affect your mental health, so it’s essential to consider the relationship between suicide and meth use. Meth can cause psychosis, which is a break from reality. It can cause delusions, hallucinations, and paranoia. These symptoms can be so severe that the individual becomes a danger to themselves or others. As a result, people high on meth are more likely to attempt suicide or succeed in harming themselves. Meth also causes some devastating side effects, including addiction. If someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.Side Effects of Meth
The side effects of meth can be detrimental to a person. Short-term effects of meth use include:- Increased alertness
- Decreased appetite
- Faster breathing
- Higher blood pressure and body temperature
- Irregular heartbeat
- Dilated pupils
- Agitation or anxiety
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Anxiety
- Confusion
- Insomnia
- Severe weight loss
- Mood swings
- Violent behavior
- Delusions or hallucinations
- Psychosis
- Brain damage
Suicidal Thoughts from Meth
In addition to dependence and physical effects like increased blood pressure and heart rate, meth causes very troubling psychological effects. As mentioned earlier, these psychological effects can include suicidal thoughts. They also include paranoia, extreme mood swings, violent outbursts, homicidal tendencies, and anxiety. Meth and schizophrenia have many similarities, such as psychosis, delusions, and extreme paranoia. While suicidal thoughts have long been known as a side effect of meth use, recent research has found that meth users are much more likely to attempt suicide than users of other types of drugs. They are up to 80 percent more likely to attempt suicide. Within meth abuse, those that inject the drug versus other methods are more likely to attempt suicide. Even those who use the drug not as frequently are at an increased risk for suicide. One possible reason posed by the researchers is that meth users tend to be more socially isolated than people who use other drugs.Get Help for Meth Dependence at The Ranch Tennessee
Understanding the link between suicide and meth use is crucial for prevention and treatment. Those who treat meth addicts need to know that their patients are more likely to attempt suicide so that they can prevent it. For anyone hooked on meth, there is hope. Drug treatment statistics show that although meth is highly addictive, it is possible to get successful treatment for meth addiction. If you or someone you know is using meth, the time to get help is now. You can become dependent on this drug quickly, and stopping its use without help is nearly impossible. Look for a facility that understands the particular needs of meth addicts, including the tendency to have suicidal thoughts. The following programs at The Ranch Tennessee address both suicide and meth use:- Dual diagnosis treatment
- Inpatient drug rehab
- Individual, group, and family therapy
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
