Using illicit drugs like crystal meth often results in serious legal issues, including jail time, mandatory drug rehabilitation, and fines. It also takes a toll on your physical and mental well-being, and these effects may be permanent depending on how long you abuse the drug. WebMD explains some of the health effects of crystal meth use, many of which can be severe.
As a stimulant, methamphetamine induces a flood of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is a feel-good chemical that causes a person to feel confident and full of energy, which explains why so many become hooked. As a person's tolerance of the drug increases, more and more is necessary to replicate this feeling. At some point, the person will need to use the substance just to retain a feeling of normalcy.
Along with feeling stimulated, a person will also experience increased anxiety and paranoia. This can cause problems sleeping, as well as causing mood swings which often become violent. The drug also causes a person's body temperature to become dangerously high. In some cases, body temperature elevates to such a level that it can be fatal. If the drug is injected, there is also a risk of contracting diseases like HIV/AIDS.
In terms of appearance, many meth users have visible sores over their body and face. This is because the drug causes a person to pick at their skin and hair in an obsessive manner. They may also develop odd facial tics and movements, as well as talk at a constant and rapid pace. Weight loss is another factor in meth addiction, as a person will lose their interest in eating in favor of the drug. Psychotic behaviors may also occur, which can be accompanied by hallucinations.
