Methamphetamine is a highly addictive psychostimulant. This drug, also known as methamphetamine, is available as a white or light brown powder with clear crystals. How to use it is generally burned and inhaled the smoke, can also be injected or taken in pill form. Parents and loved ones need to recognize the signs of shabu-shabu abuse so they can immediately seek help and help the abuser fight his narcotics use. You can recognize the signs of methamphetamine abuse by physical signs, psychological symptoms, and behavioral changes.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Recognizing Physical Signs
Step 1. Look for physical changes
Pay attention to any changes in the person's physical appearance. Unlike other drug users, methamphetamine users usually show obvious physical signs. Use your observation skills. Was there something different about that person's appearance? Pain or physical complaints for example? Some of the physical signs that indicate shabu-shabu abuse are:
- Drastic weight loss due to a very low appetite.
- Pupillary dilation.
- Eyes that look tired or have dark circles (due to lack of sleep).
- Eyes blink quickly.
Step 2. Look at the person's teeth
Methamphetamine can rot teeth, turning them brown. The person's gums will also be red or inflamed due to the damage caused by the methamphetamine.
- The teeth may appear rotten or brown in color.
- There may also be loose or missing teeth.
- You can also look up pictures of meth mouth on the internet for reference.
Step 3. Watch for injection marks on the arm or nosebleeds
You will find injection marks on the person's arm if the methamphetamine is injected or nosebleeds if the methamphetamine is inhaled through the nose. The person's lips or fingers may also have burns if the drug is burned and inhaled with a hot glass or metal pipe.
Step 4. Smell the person's body odor
The body odor of a methamphetamine user is very bad. This is caused by two factors, namely the methamphetamine itself and its effects that make the person forget to take a shower. Sometimes, the smell is similar to the smell of ammonia.
Step 5. Watch for signs of premature aging
Methamphetamine users usually look old faster because their skin is damaged, becomes rough, itchy, and their hair falls out quickly.
Step 6. Watch for skin inflammation
Usually, the skin of shabu-shabu users will be inflamed because they will often scratch the skin of the face.
- In the face there may be an open wound.
- Notice if the person is scratching or pinching their face a lot.
- This facial inflammation often becomes infected into open sores and scars.
Step 7. Watch for long-term health problems
Methamphetamine users are usually more susceptible to diseases such as high blood pressure and heart problems. As a result, they are also more at risk of dying young. The following are some of the health problems that can be caused by the use of methamphetamine:
- Hypertension or high blood pressure
- Tachycardia, fast heart rate
- Hyperthermia, body temperature above normal
- Heart attack, stroke, epilepsy, liver/kidney failure. Can arise from the use of high doses of methamphetamine.
- Respiratory disorders such as bronchitis, if methamphetamine is inhaled.
- Increased risk of HIV and hepatitis C due to risky sexual behavior and sharing needles.
Method 2 of 4: Looking for Psychological Symptoms
Step 1. Look for immediate psychological symptoms of use
The effects of the methamphetamine will last for a few hours to a full day, depending on the dose. After using methamphetamine, a person may experience the following:
- Euphoria (due to increased levels of dopamine in the brain).
- Increased vigilance.
- Increased amount of cortisol (stress hormone).
- Decreased anxiety levels.
- Increased self-confidence.
- Increased attention and concentration.
- Decreased appetite.
- Hypersexuality or increased libido.
- More energy.
- Hyperactivity. Can be seen from the fuss and can not sleep.
- High doses of methamphetamine can cause: increased restlessness, relentlessness, compulsive behavior, and tremors (body shaking).
Step 2. Watch for long-term symptoms
As a result of chemical changes in the brain, long-term psychological symptoms will arise. Some of the symptoms below may indicate shabu-shabu abuse:
- Limited critical abilities or restraint.
- Hallucinations or delusions; seeing or hearing things that no one else sees or hears.
- Aggressive behavior when methamphetamine is not available (becomes irritable for no apparent reason).
- Increased anxiety or depression.
- Paranoia or excessive fear that someone is watching or wants to hurt that person.
- Social isolation.
- Insomnia.
Step 3. Observe the disturbance of life that may arise
Users of methamphetamine usually experience social, work, and functional disorders. The school, work, or social life of the shabu-shabu user will be disrupted. You can look for the symptoms of the disorder by:
- Connect with teachers, classmates, and close friends. They can inform you of the person's recent activity.
- If the person is working, communicate with his co-workers. They can tell you about the person's behavior at work and their daily routine (e.g. when he arrives at work, when he comes home, etc.)
- Look at the legal, social, and financial conditions of the person suspected of being a shabu-shabu user. Methamphetamine users generally suffer from poor social functioning, financial problems, and are often in trouble with the law.
Step 4. Watch for symptoms of failure to think
This condition may present as a drastically reduced consciousness or very poor memory. Many brain cells are damaged due to continuous use of methamphetamine. This damage is caused by the caustic chemicals used in the preparation of methamphetamine. In addition to weakened brain function and memory, the following symptoms of thought failure may arise:
- Attention issues.
- Problem solving or memory problems.
- Decreased decision-making ability.
Step 5. Watch for signs of discontinuation of the drug
These withdrawal signs appear when a habitual abuser stops taking the drug. Most withdrawal symptoms subside within 7-10 days of last taking methamphetamine. Symptoms of discontinuation of methamphetamine are more likely to be psychological and not physical like the symptoms of discontinuation of other drugs. These include:
- Anhedonia, decreased motivation.
- Easily angry, anxious, depressed.
- Lower frustration tolerance.
- Low energy, tired easily.
- Sleepy.
- Decreased social function.
- Deteriorating concentration.
- Low sexual interest.
- There may be thoughts of suicide or self-harm.
- Drug addiction that may last up to five weeks.
Method 3 of 4: Watching for Behavior Change
Step 1. Pay close attention to the person's activities
There are certain activities that are very important in identifying the signs of methamphetamine abuse. Some of the social problems that arise as a result of shabu-shabu abuse are:
- Increased and unsafe sexual activity, as a result of the effects of the drug, namely confusion and inability to make decisions.
- Excessive aggression, which leads to relationship problems with parents, friends, and siblings.
- Make friends with people who abuse drugs or have access to drugs.
Step 2. Observe for symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity
Hyperactivity, impulsivity, and poor judgment are usually associated with shabu-shabu abuse. Pay attention to the person's behavior and observe behaviors that he or she doesn't normally engage in.
- Excessive fussiness. For example, the person will try to finish other people's sentences and give suggestions, whether they understand topics or not.
- Impulsivity: the person behaves recklessly and does not care about the consequences of his risky behavior.
Step 3. Investigate the person's financial condition
Generally, methamphetamine users will suffer financial problems due to drug abuse. There are meth users who spend all their money on drugs. Teenagers usually don't have much money and their pocket money only comes from their parents. In order to be able to buy medicine, they usually make money in other ways. Some signs of financial problems that arise as a result of shabu-shabu abuse are:
- Inability to meet financial needs due to wasting money on drug-related activities, such as buying drugs or supplying drugs to others. There may be unpaid bills or an inability to purchase normal items such as food.
- Excess debt to buy medicine.
- Disputes with friends and relatives due to money problems, as a result of the inability of drug users to pay back their debts.
- Disputes with parents and complaints that he has no money.
- Inability to account for the money that has been given when asked.
- Steal.
Step 4. Review the person's friends
Drug users will usually hang out with other users. This is the easiest way to detect drug abuse. Drug users usually make friends with people who:
- participate in abusing methamphetamine or other drugs.
- have easy access to medicine.
- harmless to the user, such as people who won't report to their family or criticize their addiction.
Step 5. Watch for secretive behavior and social isolation
While on medication, the person may lock himself in his room all day and not allow anyone else in. In addition, he will also behave very secretly and secretly, to cover up his medicinal use.
Step 6. Find a methamphetamine-using device in the person's room
If you find a drug-taking device in the person's room, that's a strong indication that he or she is abusing methamphetamine or other drugs. The items in question include:
- A pen tube or medical tube that can be used to inhale methamphetamine.
- Damaged aluminum coils.
- A small bag containing white powder or crystals.
- A soda jar with a hole on one side.
- An injection that may be used to inject medicine.
Method 4 of 4: Understanding Methamphetamine Abuse Patterns
Step 1. Understand the pattern of low-intensity use
Low-intensity drug abusers take the drug methamphetamine to receive its "good" effects of feeling energized, euphoric, alert, and high in power. These people are not addicted to drugs and they usually consume methamphetamine by drinking or inhalation.
Some examples of low-intensity abusers: truck drivers who want to be alert on long trips, workers who want to stay awake on the night shift, a housewife who tries to control the household, raise children, and try to be a good or "perfect" wife.
Step 2. Recognize high-intensity usage patterns
Abusers of high-intensity methamphetamine prefer to inject or inhale the fumes of the drug. They do it to feel fly or sexually attracted. They may be addicted psychologically and physically. They continue to take large amounts of the drug.
Step 3. Be aware of signs of overuse
Excessive abusers will use this drug every few hours to keep feeling the effects. They can do this for up to several days.
- After taking the drug, they will feel physically and mentally active. They will feel very energetic and fly, but these feelings will also quickly disappear.
- Other symptoms of overuse: trouble sleeping, hallucinations, paranoia, irritability, aggression for no reason.
- Excessive users also commonly experience repetitive compulsive behaviors. They will tidy up and clean things around them constantly.
- A few hours after the last use, excessive users can also sleep for days.
