The Impact of Meth Use on Skin Health

The face of drug addiction is never pretty, but it may just be at its worst with crystal meth. Methamphetamine is a stimulant that frequently results in weight loss and damaged teeth. However, it’s often the skin changes that are the most dramatic.

Meth Skin Conditions

Meth causes blisters or sores on the skin that are known as meth sores or meth mites. This happens due to a variety of factors. One is that heavy meth use restricts the body’s blood flow, resulting in a weakened ability for the skin to repair itself. Meth also increases body temperature and heart rate, which can cause the body to sweat more. This results in oily, acne-prone skin. It’s also true that meth users often lose the motivation to keep up their personal hygiene, which exacerbates the problem. But the biggest cause of meth sores is caused by formication, which is the prickly feeling that bugs are crawling under the skin. As a result, meth users often pick at their skin in a useless attempt to rid themselves of these “bugs.” These sores can become infected and result in irreversible scarring.

Other Crystal Meth Drug Side Effects

Meth’s effects on skin aren’t the only thing you have to worry about when it comes to your appearance. There is also the infamous meth mouth to deal with. At best, you could end up with a few fillings or crowns. But, at its worst, meth mouth results in decaying teeth and an eventual need for dental implants or dentures. And then there’s what meth does to your health. Meth adversely affects all your major organs and can lead to a life-threatening addiction.

Hope and Healing at The Raleigh House

At The Raleigh House, we believe that everyone deserves to live a drug-free life. We also believe that everyone deserves a chance at leading a good life. That’s why everyone who walks through our doors is assigned their own master’s level therapist. They will work with you to come up with a plan for rehab and for your goals when you leave. One-on-one and group therapy sessions will help you heal emotionally, while chef-prepared meals and activities like yoga and boxing help heal your body. Meanwhile, you’ll be staying in a clean and cozy setting that feels like home and with a staff that treats you like family. Fill out our form or contact us today to learn more about the meth addiction treatment program at The Raleigh House.