Methamphetamine users can display a variety of symptoms.  Large doses of meth frequently results in users that appear irritable, aggressive, excited, or anxious with regards to behavior.  Abusers of methamphetamine tend to be violent and mood changes are quite common; abusers of meth can rapidly change from friendly to hostile in a matter of seconds.  Methamphetamine is appealing to drug abusers because the drug produces euphoria, increases the body’s metabolism, and gives the user a sense of increased energy.  Whether meth is smoked, snorted, injected, or taken orally, it stimulates the central nervous system and its effects can last between 4 and 24 hours.  Methamphetamine alters behavior in an acute state, but long term use changes the the brain in a long lasting and fundamental manner.  Methamphetamine has the following symptoms on the body:

Short Term Symptoms:

• sense of well-being (euphoria)
• hallucinations
• paranoia
• insomnia
• aggressiveness
• irritability
• nervousness
• increased alertness
• increased heart rate
• hypothermia (increase in body temperature up to 108 degrees)
• impaired speech
• incessant talking
• loss of appetite
• uncontrollable movements
• tremors
• numbness
• sweating
• dizziness
• convulsions

Long Term Symptoms:

• itchy, dry skin
• acne
• sores
• rotting teeth
• malnutrition
• weight loss
• depression
• lung and kidney disorders
• liver damage
• brain damage
• schizophrenia like behavior
• insomnia
• stroke
• death

Withdrawal Symptoms:

• restlessness
• depression
• confusion
• insomnia
• extreme craving