Users may feel they are blocking troublesome psychiatric symptoms by using meth (i.e., self-medicating) and this erroneous thought process makes it difficult to stop using the drug.
It is important to understand how meth impacts a person’s mental health and to know the type of treatment options that are available to fully address these issues.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), people with co-occurring disorders are more difficult to treat due to treatment adherence problems.
SAMHSA also reports that people with co-occurring disorders are more likely to have poorer treatment outcomes than people with either disorder alone.
Short-term effects:
- Euphoria
- Increased alertness and energy
- Increased physical activity
- Talkativeness
- Heightened sexual arousal
- Increased aggression or hostility
- Feeling excited, agitated, anxious or panicky
- Feeling very powerful or better than others
- Symptoms of psychosis (a serious psychological problem which can involve hearing voices, hallucinations, paranoid delusions, and aggressive behavior).
The psychological effects of long-term methamphetamine use include increased risk of:
- Anxiety, depression, and paranoia
- Insomnia
- Reduced concentration and poor memory
- Psychosis or psychotic behavior
- Homicidal or suicidal thoughts
- Violence