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Recognizing signs of methamphetamine use isn’t particularly difficult, as this drug has a profoundly damaging impact on its users.
According to the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 1.6 million Americans reported using meth in the past year. To provide some context, this represents 0.6% of the total population. With the average user being just 23 years old, this is a persistent issue that shows no signs of abating. In fact, nearly 1 million of these individuals have developed methamphetamine use disorder, highlighting the urgent need for renewed attention to this problem.
Before delving into how to identify if someone you know is using meth, it’s important to understand what meth is and why it is so dangerous.

What Is Meth?
Crystal methamphetamine goes by many names, including ice, chalk, meth, and crystal. This substance shares similarities with amphetamine in both its chemical structure and effects.
Meth is a highly addictive drug that affects the central nervous system, delivering a powerful and addictive high. Appearing as a bitter white powder, it can be smoked, snorted, swallowed, or injected.
As laws changed to make it more challenging to obtain substances like pseudoephedrine, smaller production labs in the United States gave way to larger-scale operations in Mexico. While these efforts may have curtailed domestic production, they have not reduced the amount of meth available on the streets.
How Does It Work?
Methamphetamine use causes a surge in dopamine levels in the brain. This neurotransmitter, associated with feelings of happiness and euphoria, contributes to the intense high experienced by users. As a result, individuals often feel exhilarated, extremely alert, and energized.
The effects of meth can last from 8 to 24 hours, significantly longer than many other stimulants, which can lead users to stay awake for days on end, bingeing on the drug.
Prolonged use quickly leads to the development of tolerance and dependence.
Additionally, there are two distinct phases of meth use to be aware of:
- Tweaking
- The Crash Phase
What do these phases entail, and what signs should you look for?
What Is Tweaking?
During the low point of a drug binge, users often find themselves unable to achieve a high or feel any meaningful effects as their bodies enter a state of meltdown. This phase is referred to as tweaking.
In this state, users may experience sensations of bugs crawling under their skin and struggle with severe insomnia, regardless of their efforts to sleep. This lack of sleep can last for days.
Frustration may manifest in aggressive behavior or outbursts.
By this stage, users are typically on the brink of exhaustion and may even experience hallucinations. A complete crash is likely to follow soon after…
What Is The Crash Phase?
The crash phase can last up to three days and is characterized by significant sleep as the individual’s body works to recover and stabilize after the effects of methamphetamine.
This state of near-complete shutdown is difficult to conceal from others, especially if the person does not live alone. If you notice this kind of behavior in a partner, child, or friend, it’s crucial to have a conversation about it.
Now, let’s explore additional telltale signs that may indicate someone is struggling with meth addiction.
Signs of Meth Use
Methamphetamine is an alluring substance, and by the time you start noticing signs of use in someone you know, they may have already progressed to the stage of abuse or even addiction.
Here are some of the most apparent physical indicators that someone may be battling a meth problem:
Physical Signs of Meth Use
- Burns, particularly on the lips and fingers
- Dilated pupils
- Drooping facial skin
- Erratic sleep patterns
- Elevated body temperature
- Hyperactivity
- Increased libido
- Paranoia
- Rapid eye movement
- Decreased appetite
- Decayed teeth
- Intense scratching
- Sudden, drastic weight loss
- Skin sores
- Twitching
Psychological Signs of Meth Use
In addition to its severe physical effects, methamphetamine also causes significant psychological repercussions.
If you suspect someone you know is using meth and have noticed some physical signs confirming your concerns, consider whether any of the following psychological symptoms are present:
- Difficulty learning new skills
- Hallucinations
- Impaired visual memory
- Memory issues
- Mood swings
- Motor skill problems
- Paranoia
- Unpredictable behavior
- Violence
If you’ve evaluated all of the above and remain uncertain, reflect on your loved one’s behavior.
Altered Behavior and Other Indicators
As with any drug, once meth use starts to interfere with someone’s daily life, it often leads to problems in interpersonal relationships.
In the early stages of use, individuals may try to hide their activities. However, when meth becomes all-consuming, that effort often diminishes. Be vigilant for an unusual number of discarded baggies.
What other signs might indicate meth use?
Watch for tubes used for smoking or snorting, as well as pipes, syringes, and spoons, which are clear indicators of meth use.
In addition to these obvious paraphernalia, pay attention to your loved one’s behavior. If they frequently step outside for a short time and return in a noticeably different mood, they may have gone out to acquire their supply.
Have they started associating with new friends while neglecting long-term relationships with family and friends in favor of these drug-using acquaintances?
As highlighted in this overview, detecting meth use in someone you care about often involves looking for a combination of signs rather than just one.
If you notice a significant number of the aforementioned physical, psychological, or behavioral indicators, it’s important to educate yourself about both the short-term and long-term side effects of meth use. With this understanding, you’ll be better equipped to intervene and assist your loved one on their path to recovery.
Immediate Side Effects of Using Meth
If you suspect that a friend or family member is using meth and you believe you’ve just caught them in the act, watch for any of the following immediate effects following drug use:
- Aggression
- Animated body language
- Anxiety
- Chest pain
- Flushed skin
- Teeth grinding
- Hallucinations
- Hyperactivity
- Increased heart rate
- Insomnia
- Muscle twitching
- Paranoia
- Elevated body temperature
- Shortness of breath
- Suppressed appetite
- Excessive talking
If your loved one has been using meth for an extended period, more severe side effects will likely become evident.
Long-Term Effects of Meth Use
As the brain of a long-term meth user becomes increasingly reliant on the drug’s effects, dependence can develop and eventually lead to full-blown addiction.
Some of the devastating physical consequences of chronic meth use include:
- Acne
- Arrhythmias
- Birth defects
- Blackened teeth
- Delusions
- Depression
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Kidney failure
- Liver failure
- Malnutrition
- Memory loss
- Psychosis
- Premature aging
- Respiratory problems
- Reproductive issues
- Seizures
- Skin infections
- Sudden cardiac death
Recognizing Meth Addiction
According to the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), a person is diagnosed with meth use disorder if they meet more than two of the following criteria within a 12-month period:
- Using meth even when it poses clear dangers to themselves or others
- Neglecting personal, professional, and academic responsibilities
- Experiencing social and interpersonal issues due to meth use
- Displaying withdrawal symptoms when attempting to quit
- Developing tolerance, requiring larger amounts of meth
- Using increased quantities of the drug
- Making multiple unsuccessful attempts to quit or control use
- Spending significant time engaged in meth use
- Manifesting physical and psychological problems
- Avoiding everyday activities
- Experiencing cravings when meth is unavailable
A person meeting 2 or 3 of these criteria is diagnosed with mild meth use disorder. If 4 or 5 signs are present, the disorder is classified as moderate. Meeting 6 or more criteria indicates severe meth use disorder.
If you’ve observed some of these signs and feel ready to discuss the issue with your loved one, what is the prognosis for treating meth addiction?
Treatment for Meth Addiction
Meth addiction has been shown to respond positively to medical detoxification followed by comprehensive therapy aimed at addressing the underlying issues.
If you discuss treatment options with your loved one and they express reluctance toward a residential program, it’s important to emphasize that the severe and potentially harmful effects of meth withdrawal necessitate recovery in a structured environment. Inpatient treatment is generally the most effective option, although it may not be suitable for everyone.
Before proceeding to select a rehabilitation center, ensure that your loved one is genuinely committed to recovery. If you encounter resistance initially, take a step back and revisit the conversation at another time. Avoid being confrontational or overly insistent.
And here’s some encouraging news: we can assist you in getting your loved one back on the right path. So, what should you do next?

What To Do Next
If you’re concerned about meth use in someone you care about, reach out to our team at Sunrise Recovery. We operate three drug and alcohol rehab centers dedicated to help those in need for recovery: two Inpatient Rehab Centers located in Clarksville, Indiana, on Blackiston View Drive and Eastern Boulevard, and an Outpatient Rehab Center in Jeffersonville, Indiana. We’re also excited to announce the upcoming opening of another Inpatient Rehab Center in Lafayette, Indiana.
Our team is here to support you at every step—whether your loved one needs medical detox with follow-up inpatient care or if an intensive outpatient program may be the right fit. Don’t wait if you recognize the signs of meth use. Call us today at +1(877)978-6747.