Meth Sores: Physical Toll of Methamphetamine Use
People who use meth can find that the drug may alter their appearance in a myriad of ways. It can suppress a person’s appetite and cause them to lose a lot of weight, which can eventually lead to malnutrition. It can also disrupt saliva production and cause dry mouth, which can result in a series of oral and dental health problems known as ‘meth mouth.’
Chronic use of meth can also lead to hallucinations, including tactile hallucinations such as ‘meth mites.’ This is when a meth user feels bugs or mites crawling on or under their skin, leading to excessive itching or scratching, which can result in open sores, especially around the mouth and throughout the face.
Twilight Recovery offers the treatment needed to help meth users stop taking the drug and recover from its effects.
What is Methamphetamine Addiction?
Meth addiction is a condition in which a person loses control over their use of the drug. When a person is addicted to meth, their drug use becomes their top priority, and they’ll be unable to stop or even reduce how much they take.
Many people who are affected by meth addiction can often neglect everything else in favor of meth. Family, work, school, and friendships can all fall by the wayside as a person elects to dedicate their time and resources towards meth. They may also change their social circles and spend more time in the company of other meth users.
What Are Meth Sores?
Meth sores are open sores or lesions that can sometimes develop on the skin of people who use crystal meth. They are commonly around the mouth, face, arms, and legs. Sores often appear in clusters and can be permanent. In some cases, these sores may leave behind permanent scars. If left untreated, these sores from meth may become infected and require medical intervention.
Severe enough infection, coupled with an immune system weakened by meth use, can lead to dire health outcomes.
What are Meth Mites?
Meth mites are a tactile hallucination. Using meth can cause people to hallucinate and some people can hallucinate bugs or mites crawling on or under their skin. This can lead to intense scratching that can lead to skin sores.
What Do Meth Sores Look Like?
Meth sores can sometimes resemble pimples. The skin around them will be red and sensitive due to inflammation. They can often have irregular, jagged edges. The skin around the sores can be discolored and sensitive. Severe cases can become ulcers.
The Progression of Meth Sores
Initially, meth sores can look like small red bumps, not unlike a pimple. However, with continued itching and scratching, these sores can burst open, causing minor cuts or blisters. Without proper treatment, these sores can progress and become infected. Infection can result in increased swelling, redness, and pus. As the sores heal, they can form scabs and scars.
What Causes Meth Sores?
Meth sores can be caused by a number of things. Picking and scratching at the skin is common due to poor hygiene and meth mites. But meth sores may also be caused by other things such as:
Weakened Immune System
Using meth can weaken the immune system. This can make a body less able to heal, so minor nicks or lesions can progress into sores. On a similar note, many people who use meth often inject the drug and share needles. These needles are often unsterile and injection sites can become infected, leading to the development of sores.
Exposure
Methamphetamine, commonly known as meth, is a highly addictive stimulant that is often produced using harsh chemicals. Direct physical contact with the drug can lead to skin irritation and the development of sores. This is why it’s important to handle and dispose of methamphetamine carefully to avoid skin contact and potential harm.
Dehydration
Hydration is important for skin health, but meth may sometimes dehydrate users. This can lead to dry and cracked skin that is more vulnerable to sores and infection. Many meth users also have poor dietary habits, which can further compromise their bodies’ ability to repair itself.
Treatment for Meth Sores
The best way to treat meth sores is at its root, which is meth addiction. However, overcoming meth addiction can take a bit of time, and addressing meth sores, especially face sores can be a part of a patient’s treatment program.
Wound care is the first step in treating sores. The sores should be cleaned with water and soap or cleanser. The soap or cleanser should be mild to avoid irritation. After they are cleaned, a topical antibiotic should be applied to prevent infection and foster healing. Once the antibiotic has been applied, they should be covered with clean gauze to prevent further infection and to discourage further scratching.
However, treating meth sores is just addressing a singular symptom of meth use and the addiction itself needs to be properly addressed.
Other Signs of Meth Addiction
Meth sores are not the only physical sign of meth addiction. Another physical sign is what is referred to as ‘meth mouth.’ Meth mouth refers to a series of oral and dental health issues caused by meth use. These problems include tooth decay, tooth loss, and gum disease. Meth causes these problems because it disrupts saliva production, which is essential for oral health.
Physical signs of addiction can also include weight loss. This is because meth can suppress the appetite and many people who are addicted to meth will neglect act of self-care, such as eating, in favor of using more meth.
Some meth users can also become infected with diseases such as HIV or hepatitis. This is because of the aforementioned sharing of needles.
Long-Term Effects of Meth Addiction
Meth addiction can have a number of long-term effects. One of the most worrying effects is tolerance. This is when a person’s body acclimates to meth, which can dull its effects. This can compel many users to increase their intake of meth, which can increase the risk of overdose.
Another effect of long-term meth use is that some users can become dependent on the drug, which can lead to withdrawal symptoms if they ever stop taking meth.
There are some psychological symptoms of using meth for an extended period of time. Some users can develop mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression. In severe cases, a user can develop psychosis as a result of using meth. These effects can linger even after a person stops using meth.
Treatment for Meth Addiction
Comprehensive addiction treatment for meth will often involve many different treatment options. Some of the treatment options for meth can include:
Medical Detox
An important part of a person’s treatment plan is medical detox. While outpatient detox is possible and even recommended for some substances, the severity of some meth withdrawal symptoms means that going to a treatment center to detox and have immediate medical supervision and intervention is advised.
Dual Diagnosis
Dual diagnosis treatment is when a person’s substance use and mental health conditions are addressed at the same time. Because many people who use meth either already have a mental health disorder or develop one as a result of their meth use, this can be an incredibly important part of treatment for methamphetamine use.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
There is currently no medication that is used to directly treat meth. However, there are medications that can address mental health disorders that may contribute to a person’s meth consumption. Antidepressants and anti-anxiety medication can be used to address depression and anxiety.
Because meth can cause sleep disturbances, a patient may be prescribed sleep aids to help them get rest. Antipsychotic medication can also be used to help address meth-related psychosis.
Get Meth Sores Treatment and Overcome Meth Use Today
Meth sores can sometimes be painful. But, beyond their physical pain, they can be a reminder of a person’s meth use. Many people who use meth can feel a sense of shame over their condition. They may look in the mirror and be unable to recognize themselves because of what the drug has done to them.
But this does not have to be the case. Many people overcome substance addictions all the time. Across the country, there are people who are recovering from addiction and living lives that are free from drugs.
You or your loved one could be one of those people and Twilight Recovery will help you on your recovery journey.