Studies have found that the approach that works most often in overcoming meth addiction is therapy that combines group reinforcement with future contingency planning, allowing meth users to plan their brighter future in an environment that supports them. Often, they become emotional or angry and believe that others are trying to stop them for selfish reasons. Methamphetamine users often resist attempts to get them help. Meth is an incredibly addictive drug that is difficult to stop using alone, with as many as 61% of meth users who attempt to quit “cold turkey” relapsing within one year. How Can I Help Somebody Who is Using Meth or Tweaking? If somebody close to you seems to often cycle between mood swings and depression, it could mean that they are tweaking. They may stop engaging in normal activities such as washing themselves, cleaning, or socializing with friends. For this reason, meth users will often lash out at people close to them.Īfter the intense high, users experience long-lasting depressions. They might blame those around them for these feelings or become convinced that others mean them harm. Usually these are brought on by intense feelings of paranoia and anxiety, leading to delusions of persecution or danger. Meth causes users to experience drastic mood swings, going from happy and positive one moment to anxious or angry the next. Dramatic Mood Swings or Unusual Periods of Depression Unusual changes in the eating habits of a loved one, such as not eating for days at a time or being unable to keep food down, may be signs that they are under the influence of methamphetamine. Chronic users frequently lose their appetite, even when not under the influence of methamphetamine.
Changes in Eating Habitsīecause meth eliminates feelings of hunger, meth users often experience severe weight loss, though some may actually begin putting on weight due to binge-eating after periods of meth use. This can take the form of physical tics, like being unable to stop pacing or bouncing their legs, or destructive behaviors such as tearing out hair, scratching themselves until they bleed, or trying to take apart electronics or large pieces of furniture.
In some cases, this irritability may transition into violence if someone forces them to stop. These activities feel comforting, and without them methamphetamine users feel anxious and uncomfortable. People under the influence of methamphetamine often experience “punding,” a compulsive need to perform repetitive, mechanical activities, such as organizing things in arbitrary orders or repeatedly trying to disassemble or reassemble objects. Strange or Destructive New Tics and Habits How Can I Tell if a Loved One is Using Meth? 1. Let’s take a closer look at some of these changes you may notice in your loved one who uses meth. These new behaviors can seem alarming to those close to the user, who may begin to wonder what’s causing these newfound changes. The psychological effects and mental toll of methamphetamine usage leads to changes in their demeanor and day-to-day routine. In fact, it’s difficult not to notice when somebody is tweaking.
In this way, the short-lived euphoria can lead to depression and other mental health issues later.Īs you might imagine, all of this creates noticeable behavioral changes. Meth is neurotoxic, meaning it causes permanent damage to the dopamine-producing neurons in the brain and leading to long-term changes in personality. They’re caused by the large amounts of dopamine released by meth usage and are similar to those observed in patients with Parkinson’s or obsessive-compulsive disorder.Īnd while meth creates a state of euphoria, its effects are much more sinister. This can take the shape of destructive behaviors, confusing or irrational patterns of speech, or sudden outbursts of anger and violence that can last for days after last using methamphetamine. Tweaking can refer to the nervous, repeated physical motions that meth users engage in or to the unpredictable mood swings and violent outbursts that accompany meth usage. “Tweaking” is a slang term for the compulsive, disorganized behavior that methamphetamine users exhibit, particularly after large doses or long periods of repeated dosing.
How Can I Tell if a Loved One is Using Meth?.