Methamphetamine abuse is a growing problem in the US. The drug can cause serious issues for users, affecting their physical and mental health as well as the overall quality of their lives. Meth skin-picking and abscesses are two of the more concerning issues for people who are addicted to the drug.
Dangers of Meth
The most devastating result of sustained meth use is
overdose, which can often be fatal. In fact, there has been a surge of overdose
deaths over the past several years. From 2011 to 2018, the number of deaths
involving methamphetamines increased from 1.8 to 10.1 per 100,000 men and from 0.8
to 4.5 per 100,000 women. There are no currently FDA-approved medications for
reversing meth overdoses.
Additional risks
are involved in the short-term and long-term use of meth, including damage to
the nervous, renal, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular systems. Short-term
use can also result in weight loss, anxiety, increased heart rate and blood
pressure, and an abnormally low body temperature. Long-term use can cause
damage to the kidneys and liver as well as to the heart. Psychological effects such
as paranoia, depression, anxiety, and hallucinations are also potential health
hazards.
Common Concerns Among Meth Users
Meth is a stimulant that affects the central nervous system.
It can produce feelings of increased energy and euphoria. It can be used as a
white powder, in a semitransparent crystal form, or in pill form. When the meth
is injected, it puts the individual at a higher risk of contracting an
infection such as hepatitis C or HIV and at a higher risk for skin infections.
A common issue for meth users is the hallucination that they
have bugs or parasites crawling under their skin, a condition known as parasitosis.
They will try to get rid of the bugs by picking their skin. This type of meth
skin-picking will often result in an infection, including the type of infections
and abscesses that can make the individual very ill.
Scars left by skin-picking may be embarrassing for the meth
user who is seeking treatment for their addiction. However, it’s critically important
to get professional medical help for the infection as well as for the substance
use, so the individual can return to a healthy life, physically and mentally.
Factors Affecting the Skin
In addition to the neurological sensation of something crawling
under the skin, meth users have a number of other risk factors involved
that may affect their tendency toward skin-picking and the resulting abscesses.
Most seriously, injecting the drug is associated with the development of a
condition known as necrotizing fasciitis, a bacterial infection that can be
fatal if not diagnosed and treated appropriately.
In addition, a lack of proper hygiene can contribute to skin
issues, particularly infections, abscesses, and cellulitis, also a bacterial
skin infection. Many of these infections are self-treated by the meth user, in
an attempt to heal the skin or to cover up the fact that they have been
engaging in skin-picking.
A staph infection known as MRSA has been found in many of
the cases of skin issues treated in the emergency room. Since it is not uncommon
for meth users to live in unhygienic situations or to inject the drug in an
unsafe manner, they can contract the infection easily. Injecting meth with
unsterile equipment, in addition to using contaminated drug solutions,
introduces a high load of bacteria to the body and to the skin. In fact, the
injection of crystal meth has resulted in frequent visits to the emergency room
for treatment
of cellulitis, abscesses, and other types of skin infections.
Treatment for Skin-Picking
These infections and abscesses resulting from skin-picking
need to be treated properly and promptly for them to heal and to avoid more
serious consequences. The most effective solution to reduce or eliminate the meth
skin-picking behavior itself is to treat that individual for their addiction. Once
the person has detoxed and the drug leaves their system, the symptoms of
hallucinations as well as the perceived need to pick their skin will typically
subside as well, usually within a few days or weeks.
Help for Your Addiction
At Hope by the
Sea, a southern California addiction treatment center, we focus on helping
you begin your journey of recovery from drug abuse as well as mental health
issues. We specialize in treating you as a whole individual, so you can embrace
your recovery with as much support and momentum as possible.
Our team continues to follow federal, state, and local
public health guidelines regarding COVID-19 to ensure our clients' safety.
Please contact us today
to learn more about our programs and services. Hope Starts Here!