Meth on the Rise

The news is full of information regarding the opioid crisis. However, methamphetamine has made a comeback. In fact, many criminal justice agencies are currently seeing more individuals testing positive for methamphetamine than opioids.

Facts about Methamphetamine (Meth) 

Is a powerful, highly addictive stimulant that affects the central nervous system.

People use meth by smoking, swallowing, snorting, or injecting the drug. Crystal meth is a form of the drug that looks like glass fragments or shiny, bluish-white rocks.

Short-term health effects from using meth include increased wakefulness and physical activity, decreased appetite, increased blood pressure and body temperature.

Long-term health effects include

• addiction
• risk of contracting HIV and hepatitis
• severe dental problems ("meth mouth")
• intense itching, violent behavior
• extreme weight loss
• anxiety
• confusion
• memory loss
• sleeping problems
• paranoia
• and hallucinations

Withdrawal symptoms can include

• anxiety
• fatigue
• severe depression
• psychosis
• ​intense drug cravings

The most effective treatments so far are behavioral therapies and motivational incentives. Community support and mental health services are vital to people maintaining sobriety. If we all work to reduce the stigmas surrounding addiction, it will lead to the removal of barriers in acknowledging the problem, seeking and accessing treatment and, ultimately, to recovery. 

Reach out to the JCDPC Quick Response Team if you or a loved one struggles with an addiction. Call (260) 251-3259 or email allyssa@jcdpc.org.