Meth Sores and Tooth Decay

What is Meth?

Methamphetamine stimulates the central nervous system and has been prescribed for patients suffering from obesity as well as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).  Depending upon the amount of Meth ingested, the effect can last from eight to twenty-four hours.  Meth should not be used by any one suffering from heart disease, congenital heart defect, hypertension, severe anxiety, or hyperthyroidism.  On the street, Meth has been given a variety of nicknames that include Speed, Crank, Crystal, and Chalk.  Like most amphetamines, Meth induces intense feelings of euphoria while decreasing the need for food and/or sleep.  Meth is believed to be harmful to the brain because it releases dangerously high amounts of a neurotransmitter called dopamine into the system.

Meth Sores

Meth sores are formed as excess or unabsorbed amounts of Meth are released through the pores of the skin, much like perspiration.  For this very reason, the presence of Meth sores is a clear indication that the user is ingesting excessive amounts of the drug that the body cannot metabolize or assimilate.  Meth abuse commonly leads to experiencing the sensation of a crawling or a burning itch beneath the surface of the skin that can potentially lead to a serious injury if the area is intensely scratched or irritated.  Meth sores are nicknamed “speed bugs” or “crank bugs.”

Signs of Meth Addiction

The most noticeable sign of Meth addiction is a dramatic change in physical appearance.  Before and after photographs of Meth addicts reveal a startling deterioration of the entire physical body, thus giving the impression of advanced stages of degenerative bone and skin tissue loss.  Changes such as extreme weight loss, hair loss, severe tooth decay or loss, facial skin sores, poor hygiene, and burn marks on the lips or face are very common.

Behavioral changes that can occur with Meth addiction include panic attacks, disinterest in family or friends, nervousness, anxiety, inability to sleep, loss of appetite, mood swings, false sense of power or invincibility, aggressiveness, violent behavior, severe depression, manic episodes, and excessive talkativeness.

Long-term usage of Meth can potentially lead to brain damage, irreparable tooth decay and gum loss, liver damage, no immunity to infectious disease, hallucinations, paranoid schizophrenia, stroke, and death.

Burning Tree Gives Addicts a Second Chance at Life

No matter what stage of addiction you may be experiencing, Burning Tree can provide the kind of long-term treatment you need to fully recover and stop relapsing.  We carefully assess the needs of all our patients and make evaluations on a case by case basis.  Our team of licensed clinicians, therapists, and addiction specialists utilizes a dual diagnosis approach to treating chemical dependent behavior and mental disorders, so you benefit from receiving state of the art therapeutics found only in the top rehab centers in the country.  If you are serious about breaking the pattern of addiction to Meth, find a program that treats the whole person and not just the addiction.  There is life after Meth.  Burning Tree is waiting to help.  Call now.