Meth Use

Question: What are the long term effects of years of meth use?

(Posted by: Destiny on 2007-02-19 10:19:37)

I have a close family member that was a meth addict for 20 years, He has been clean for almost a year now, but his personality is unbearable. Very aggitated, always yelling, NOTHING makes this person happy! They are always looking for a fight. I have noticed at times he will start to say a word and accidently combines it with a similar word. Severe time judgement, and you can't get him to understand reason or common sense. I am afraid that there is no help that can fix this! He can hold down a job, and his biggest health complaints are of stomach pains and chronic loose stools, and rotton teeth. Is there any hope for him or is he the walking dead waiting on a grave?

Posted by: mawat55 on 2007-02-19, 10:35:55

Long-term meth use is devastating. Meth replaces a chemical in your brain called dopamine. This is a chemical that gives you a happy feeling. After a lengthy time of using meth your brain will no longer produce this natural chemical. After giving up the drug it can take "years " to recover. The symptoms that your family member are showing are common. Irratiability, running sentences together, not making sense, depression and just general unsatisfied. The stomach pain can be caused by his rotten teeth. I don't know if he is walking on a grave or not, but I do know he has a long way to go. Good luck

Posted by: mlgable on 2007-02-19, 10:23:44

If he goes to a doc to get the stomach and stool problems checked out and gets his teeth fixed there may be some hope for him. He may never be right again because of the damage done by meth abuse but he can be functional.

Posted by: ascendent2 on 2007-02-19, 10:24:17

Yes there is and time is the answer. The longer he goes the less the effects of mood swings and stomach problems. Hope he can get his teeth fixed this will help with self esteem.

Posted by: love_2b_curious on 2007-02-19, 10:25:08

Physically, it's probably too late! The only cure I've seen work with someone this far gone is Jesus Christ... a repentence, giving his life over to Him and then a healing! Sorry