How To Spot Someone Tweaking On Meth

Crystal meth has a dark reputation—few substances are so addictive or do such rapid harm to one’s personality, appearance, and overall health.

And while there are many signs, symptoms, and consequences related to methamphetamine addiction, tweaking is one of the most easily recognized.

How To Spot Someone Tweaking On Meth

Tweaking is an informal term that can refer to both the crash and the larger collection of symptoms that occur following extended methamphetamine use. Or, more specifically, to the repetitive movements on display during a meth high or binge.

To spot someone tweaking on meth, first look for common signs and symptoms of tweaking, followed by signs of psychosis and long-term health effects like meth mouth and skin sores.

Signs & Symptoms Of Tweaking

Tweaking generally involves a variety of telltale signs and symptoms that can include:

• intense cravings
• feelings of panic or desperation
• mood swings
• irritability or aggression
• shaking or skin scratching
• repetitive movement
• rapid eye movements
• changes in heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature
• delusions
• hallucinations
• psychosis

The symptoms associated with tweaking may last for several days, during which a person will often sleep excessively as they attempt to recover from the lingering effects of meth abuse, which includes depleted dopamine levels in their brain and central nervous system. 

However, many psychological effects of a meth binge can be much longer lasting.

Methamphetamine Psychosis

Psychosis is a severe side effect of methamphetamine abuse that occurs when a person’s mind becomes disconnected from reality.

Psychosis generally involves noticable signs that may include:

• agitation
• talking very quickly or having difficulty talking
• disorganized thinking
• erratic, bizarre, or violent behavior
• paranoia and overwhelming feelings of persecution
• experiencing vivid hallucinations, often including the feeling that bugs are moving under one’s skin

Those in the midst of a psychotic break are unable to tell the difference between reality and the illusions created in their minds and will not understand their own actions.

Between 26% and 46% of heavy methamphetamine users experience psychosis at one point or another

Some develop long-lasting psychosis that can persist for months at a time, and many others relapse into psychosis during periods of stress, sleep deprivation, or renewed substance abuse.

Long-Term Effects Of Methamphetamine

As severe as the short-term effects of meth use can be, the long-term effects of the drug are among the most serious of all common addictive drugs of abuse, and include:

• brain damage impacting personality, concentration, impulse control, and cognition
• sleep problems
• unstable mood
• loss of appetite and weight loss
• meth mouth, encompassing a wide range of disfiguring dental health issues
• painful skin sores, scarring, and premature aging
• organ damage including heart failure
• problems at home, in the workplace, or with law enforcement

Methamphetamine Addiction Treatment

Unfortunately, meth addiction can be an extremely difficult condition to treat effectively, and relapses are common even among those who actively seek treatment.

But many have found success through participation in professional, intensive treatment programs featuring evidence-based, personalized treatment options such as:

• medical detox programs to help manage meth withdrawal symptoms
• intensive residential care within an inpatient treatment facility
• dual diagnosis care for other mental health issues
• cognitive behavioral therapy
• motivational enhancement therapy
• contingency management
• individual and group counseling
• participation in peer support groups
• aftercare support including employment assistance and case management

To learn how our treatment centers approach methamphetamine addiction and other forms of substance use disorder, please contact Ark Behavioral Health today.