Early Intervention
Recognizing early signs and symptoms of meth use is a first step in early intervention. There are certain signs associated with meth use that can be noticeable from the first time someone tries the drug. Not every user will display every one of these symptoms; other illicit drugs may also cause similar signs.
Signs of early meth use include: euphoric high state (excessively happy), decreased appetite, increased physical activity, anxiety, shaking hands, nervousness, incessant talking, rapid eye movement, increased body temperature (can rise as high as 108 degrees and cause death), dilated pupils, and sweating not related to physical activity.
Intervention and treatment works differently for each person. A licensed practitioner can help to guide individualized assessments and treatment plans, including a range of services from support groups to psychiatric care, until an effective plan is determined.
However, if you recognize these signs or symptoms in friends or family members, there are a few steps to keep in mind and prepare for before discussing the issue with them:
Be safe – Never confront a person who is high on meth. Methamphetamine users frequently become psychotic (i.e., gross mental impairment characterized by delusions, hallucinations, incoherent speech, agitated behavior, loss of touch with reality) from using meth, and their behavior could pose real danger to you. Talk at a time and in a place that feels safe. If the person becomes angry or violent, leave and bring up the subject later when everyone is calm.
Plan what to say – Tell them that you’re worried and that’s why you want to talk. Be specific about how you know that they are using and why you are concerned. You may want to have a hotline number or some facts on hand about real examples of people who have sought treatment and have overcome their meth addiction.
Listen – After you finish talking, ask what they think – and listen. It’s critical that you hear what they’re saying so you can offer to help. But you shouldn’t feel like you have to personally solve this problem – there are counselors and other professionals who are specially trained to help at times like this.
Keep at it – Getting someone to seek treatment might be a continuous process – not a one-time event. In highly structured interventions, led by professionals, the discussions are planned to guide the person from one step to the next in gaining sobriety and entering treatment, increasing the likelihood of success.
Once your friend or loved one commits to entering treatment, the first task for a practitioner is to determine the severity of drug use and the level of “life functioning” in legal, family, medical and psychiatric arenas.
Feel free to view the meth-related interventions from A&E’s Intervention show. ONDCP is not responsible for the content contained in the A&E programming. The stories, however, are real and may assist the friends and family members of meth abusers to better understand meth addiction and to provide hope for the treatment/recovery process.
