Just when you think we know all there is to know about addiction, think again.  Research goes on year round, continuing to crack genetic clues and find optimal ways to treat difficult drug addictions.  Here’s a summary of some interesting and interconnected research done this past couple of years on heroin addiction.  Anyone going to a drug rehab center in the future will be impacted by these findings. 

Genetic Research On Heroin Addiction Reveals Options For Custom Detox Drug Treatment

Turns out that even some small genetic differences put some Caucasian people at a higher risk for heroin addiction.  According to one of the authors, some of these few genetic changes can raise the risk for Caucasian people but possibly have no effect in different racial populations. 

This poses an interesting but challenging opportunity for the medical field.  It allows the chance to determine and develop individualized dosages of methadone and other opiate withdrawal medications.  However, this also makes drug treatment that much more complex to determine and administer. 

The drop-out rate for methadone programs is a high 62%.  The dropout rate is attributed to addicts still having strong withdrawal symptoms despite the medication.  Researchers seem to be taking this rate and the recent genetic studies as a clue about methadone “dropouts” genetics not being matched well with their medication dosage. 

Heroin Addiction Uses Information Super Highways in Your Brain

Neural pathways are like highways in your brain for messages.  They start out something new that you try, like a new exercise move or trying a different way to work.  If this only gets used once or a few times, it may die out and not become an established path.  The more it is used, the stronger the path becomes until it potentially becomes more like a solid highway. 

Such pathways exist for all kinds of activities and patterns.  One of these is called “reward pathways.”  As the name suggests, this type of pathway involves certain brain chemicals and parts of the brain associated with anything you might see as rewarding.  Reward paths make it more likely that you will do something again and again.  This works the same way for things that are positive and healthy or for things that are risky and harmful. 

You get excited when you go to your first football game, you are likely to do it again because you enjoyed the sensations.  You like the feeling of independence and the physical mastery of driving as a teenager, so despite the risks you are likely to do it again.  You try heroin and it lights up the pleasure centers of your brain, you are (unfortunately) likely to do it again. 

Recent research on heroin suggests that a specific neurotransmitter (brain chemical) receptor in the brain is connected with reward pathways as described above.  They apparently play a part in a person’s motivation to keep using heroin.  The door is now open for developing medication to block this receptor and hopefully curb drug-seeking behaviors.  This sheds a ray of hope for people leaving drug rehab and establishing their relapse prevention plan.

Drug Rehab Benefits From Continuous Addiction Research

Heroin is an amazingly powerful drug.  Addicts leaving drug rehab centers need all the support and help they can get to manage their addiction.  Thankfully, scientists around the world are discovering clues about the human body that may help the drug treatment process by improving relapse prevention.  If you are addicted to heroin and need to start drug treatment, contact The Canyon for more information.

When you’re consumed by any addiction including crystal meth addiction or methamphetamine addiction, it’s hard to see beyond yourself. Drug addiction in general is characterized by a high degree of self focus and self absorption. Your primary concern is your drug of choice and getting more of it, keeping withdrawal symptoms at bay and when you’re going to get your next drink or shot or pill. Recognizing that our drug addiction affects everyone around us, even those outside of our immediate friends and family, may be helpful in getting to a place where the blinders fall off and allow room for the realization that crystal meth addiction treatment is necessary.

Meth Addiction and One Woman in Wyoming

A case of someone deeply and adversely affected by crystal meth addiction is one Licia Henderson, a woman who bought a home in Wyoming that had previously been a meth lab. Other people affected by one person’s desire to feed the crystal meth addiction in the community? The three people who Henderson is suing for nondisclosure of the history of the house and a fourth person who performed tests on the house after the police busted the meth lab.

Henderson found her home, once in the headlines for the fact that its former inhabitants were a couple who cooked crystal meth with children in the home, through a realtor when she moved from Albuquerque, New Mexico, about 700 miles away. She had no way of knowing that it was previously a meth lab, and so when a storm hit and she was had to close up the windows and turn on the furnace, she was surprised by the onset of chest pains and other symptoms. It is for the damages she suffered through physical illness brought on by the chemical residue left in the home that she is suing.

How Does One Woman’s Story Affect Crystal Meth Addicts?

On a personal level, it doesn’t. But like the effects of drug trafficking on the countries where drugs like heroin and cocaine are cultivated in the form of the coca plant and poppies, so too does the creation of crystal meth hurt people right here in our home. This pain and suffering occurs for just one purpose: to provide the drug that so many are addicted to. Remove the addiction, there is no longer the need for meth labs. And how do you remove the addiction? You treat one person addicted to crystal meth at a time and slowly lower the demand.

Crystal Meth Addiction Treatment

Unlike other drugs of addiction like heroin and prescription painkillers, there are not as many physical symptoms of withdrawal when someone tries to quit taking crystal meth. Few realize the depth and breadth of the emotional symptoms that accompany crystal meth detox. If you are struggling with crystal meth addiction, seek help from a professional source like The Canyon in the Santa Monica Mountains just outside of Beverly Hills.

Continuing our discussion of sex addiction that we started by discussing Susan Cheever’s new book on the subject, Desire: Where Sex Meets Addiction, it seems that there are more than a handful of players in Hollywood who have ‘come out’ recently about their own struggles with the condition.

Recent News About Celebrities and Sex Addiction

The star of the TV show, Californication, and Golden Globe award winning actor David Duchovny recently checked himself into a rehab clinic to receive treatment for sex addiction. He is not the first celebrity to see treatment for sex addiction, but certainly the latest, and he says: “I ask for respect and privacy for my wife and children as we deal with this situation as a family.” His family is actress Tea Leoni, to whom he has been married for 11 years and his two children. Certainly there is no better reason to get the help that you need.

Celebrities and Sex Addiction

There are a number of Hollywood actors who have received treatment for sex addiction, including actor Michael Douglas, actor and musician Billy Bob Thornton, and standup comedian Russell Brand. Those who are addicted to sex may spend incredible sums of money on call girls and prostitutes, and certainly few of Hollywood’s stars are lacking the funds to fuel their addiction.

Who Among Us Is a Sex Addict?

Certainly sex addiction is not limited to Hollywood, but how do you know if you or someone you love is struggling with sex addiction? A relatively new condition, sex addiction is still being defined by the medical community and new treatment approaches to address it in a rehab setting are being developed all the time. As yet, there is little research on the number of those who struggle with sex addiction or even how many people per year seek treatment for the condition. It is believed that most sex addicts are men because the behavior is often more visible (i.e., spending money on prostitutes or inordinate amounts of time looking at porn online or on TV), but some say that as many as 1 in 3 women are sex addicts, as well.

Characteristics of Sex Addiction

Any addiction is defined by one certain parameter: the existence of behaviors centered on the object of addiction that are compulsive in nature and destructive to yourself and those around you. Sex addiction is no different. A high libido that does not interfere with your health, your relationships at home and work or your life in general is not a sex addiction. But when your actions put you at risk for sexually transmitted diseases, threaten your relationships with friends and family, or even take precedence over work and social commitments, it is likely that sex addiction is the culprit.

If you need help with sex addiction, it’s not hard to find. There are programs and support groups where you can get the treatment you need. The Canyon is one of those places, providing a sanctuary fit for a celebrity as well as a treatment plan utilizing a number of therapy options that is customized to suit your needs. Contact us for more information.

The idea of sex addiction, what it is and what it means for those who are struggling with it, is quite vague for most people. Here to help you define not only the nature of the condition but also whether or not your behavior or that of someone you love could be classified as a sex addiction. The book is “Desire: Where Sex Meets Addiction” (Simon & Schuster) by Susan Cheever and it’s both a memoir and an exploration into what exactly it means to be a sex addict.

An Example of Sex Addiction

Cheever notes that there’s a lot of embarrassment and shame around sex addiction that may keep those who are struggling with it from seeking the help that they need. But what’s an example of sexual behavior that can be defined as an addiction? Says Cheever:

“Whenever there was a situation in which I was terrified or panicky, I would often find myself sleeping with somebody who appeared to have power over that situation. When my mother was diagnosed with cancer, I needed to feel better. I needed to feel less helpless. I thought I was going to achieve, you know, my mother’s good health by sleeping with the oncologist and getting special treatment for her, and knowledge for me.”

The Definition of Sex Addiction

Cheever’s definition of sex addiction—even addiction, in general—is that it’s hard to define because it is so personal to the individual, a concept which falls in line with treatment perspectives like you would find at The Canyon that allow for a highly customized treatment plan. Cheever says:

“Well, I think what makes anyone an addict of any kind - sex addict, alcoholic, cocaine addict - is really up to them. Addiction starts with a broken promise. In other words, when you say to yourself, ‘I am not gonna sleep with him, I am not gonna see him tonight,’ and you find that you are doing it anyway, you’ve entered the land of addiction.”

I would add that when you are taking dangerous risks with your health, your relationships and even jeopardizing your career in order to indulge in your need for alcohol/drugs/sex, then it is likely that you are an addict. A lack of regard for the consequences of your behavior is a key sign that you should look into getting help before you lose your life, your marriage, your friendships or your job.

How Do You Define Sex Addiction?

Some people say that there’s no such thing as sex addiction. Others define addiction so tightly that few actually fall outside the parameters. Where do you stand?

Feel bad about the US Economy right now?  You’re not alone.  Are you worried about your ability to pay for mental health and drug treatment?  The US government may have actually made it easier for you this past week.  The 700 billion dollar bailout bill had several tag-along projects attached to make it more palatable to Congress.  One of those extra items was the Mental Health and Addiction Parity Act of 2008.

Drug Addiction and Mental Health Coverage Is A Beam of Light In The Darkness

Amongst all the bad news of the economy, this has managed to finally make it past the Senate and singed into law last week.  It had passed in the House several months ago, but was apparently facing roadblocks in the Senate.  Many Americans disagree with or at least have misgivings about the whole economic bailout package.  And some of the “sweeteners” were puzzling (wooden arrows?), triggering more anger because it looks like typical excessive government spending. 

That all being said, it seems that at least for people with mental illness and drug addiction, one truly positive thing has come of this whole mess.  While victories are few and far between here, getting mental health and addiction treatment coverage on equal footing with other aspects of medical coverage can only be considered a positive thing. 

Untreated Mental Health and Addiction Add Up The Costs

Where was the inequity in addiction and Mental health insurance coverage?  Restrictions on coverage have sometimes been greater on mental health diagnoses than other physical problems.  I don’t know if this has happened universally, but it was recognized as enough of a problem across the nation to spur on this bill more than 10 years ago. 

Companies increasing their total coverage of ailments may face higher costs of operation.  Simply put, more claims come in wanting money for services, so there are fears about how companies will get the money for it.  However, it’s important to know that mental illness is closely linked with many other physical problems, which are the behaviors most noticed by a company’s human resource department. 

Higher absenteeism and lost productivity when at work are major draws on company resources.  These cost companies thousands if not millions of dollars year in and year out.  If increased coverage for mental illnesses and addictions can improve those problems, businesses purchasing insurance coverage may be willing to take a slightly higher insurance cost to improve their overall bottom line. 

Improved Health Insurance Coverage For Drug Addiction and Mental Health Connects Mind and Body

The lack of equality in insurance coverage we’ve seen is another example of the disconnect Westernized countries have with mental illness and physical health.  Nations with Eastern philosophies and cultures have historically connected the mind and body much more closely.  Take a look at any “alternative health” treatment (such , and you see the difference.  Interesting that it is called “alternative” therapies such as yoga, acupuncture, meditation, and others have been around for thousands of years.

So if you are needing drug treatment, mental health treatment, or both, you can now look for more equal opportunity insurance coverage for your needs.  The fate of the US economy?  It’s hard to tell what will happen in the coming days and months.  Regardless, don’t hesitate to do what’s best for your addiction and mental health problems.  Drug rehab works and can bring new hope for you.

Drug Addiction Recovery Month

September 2008 marks the 19th anniversary of National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month sponsored by the US Department of Health and Human Services.

People around the country just like you are organizing events to bring awareness to the fact that treatment really does work and the chances of recovery from addiction are higher when individuals and families have access to the right resources.

Enlist Community Groups and Leaders

Addiction counselors, pastors and clergy members, employers, friends and family, recovery groups, treatment centers, and social service organizations can all benefit from sponsoring, planning, organizing and participating in Recovery Month outreach campaigns.

Public Awareness Events

Educational and anecdotal articles for the local paper, banners on your personal blogs and websites, sporting events and athletic marathons, radio interviews, school presentations, information booths at health fairs and farmer’s markets are all excellent ways to get the message of recovery into the public eye.

Publicity and Media Outreach

Focusing on the people affected by substance abuse brings a real face to the concept of “addiction” and highlights the fact that it is a disorder that impacts people from all walks of life. Speaking to the media about your personal experiences touches people who may otherwise never get past their own prejudices about alcohol and drug addiction.

RecoveryMonth.gov offers tips on crafting media advisories, press releases, op-eds, proclamations, and public service announcements that can be submitted to your local media networks for publication or broadcast about your event.

Drug Education for the Masses

Downloadable documents that discuss everything from commonly abused substances, the importance of treatment for a person addicted to alcohol or drugs, and audience-specific materials that speak directly to a group’s interests will help aid your message during Recovery Month and all year long. Print them out and pass them around wherever you go to spread the word about addiction and recovery.

Connect with Other Event Organizers

Advocating the importance of recovery methods is just the beginning. Connecting with the people around you who encourage and support your efforts to stay clean keeps shame from beating down your personal resolves. Coming to face to face with other addicts who struggle with similar internal demons creates a bond that acknowledges the triumphant effort involved in the work of recovery.

Tell Us: What are some ways that you celebrate your recovery? And if you haven’t taken the plunge yet, what are some ways that you will celebrate your recovery?

Sean Rosenthal may or may not be someone you have even heard of until this week of the Beijing Olympics.  That is, unless, you are a fan of the competitive beach volleyball scene.  As usual, NBC tells the background stories of each Olympic athlete they feature.  Sean Rosenthal is not only a tremendously gifted athlete, he also endured difficult times as a child and teen because his parents had addiction problems.  Sometimes kids can emerge from the most dire situations with impressive resiliency.

Tough Times With Drug Addiction At Home

Sean grew up in a home with six other children with multiple fathers.  His father was alcoholic and has died according to the NBC Olympics site.  His mother apparently struggled with methamphetamine addiction and struggled to keep jobs.  They lived on welfare and had a hard time making ends meet.  One website indicates that his mom was a former meth addict, but it is unclear how much of role she had with his upbringing.  His grandmother took him in, but he still didn’t do well in school. 

Sean had great athletic talent, but couldn’t keep up his grades to qualify for any sports teams.  He even woke extra early doing some kind of electronic cable installation work before school to help pay bills.  The details of his childhood aren’t much deeper than that from online sources.  But they certainly paint a troubling picture with seemingly little hope for a good life. 

Sean Rosenthal Discovers Volleyball and Rises Above Difficult Childhood

Now here is the point where nearly anything could have happened.  His mom’s hooked on meth, his dad is an alcoholic (or has already died - the sources weren’t clear on this).  It would have been pretty easy to just jump on the same track as mom and dad, drowning his sorrows in alcohol and drugs.  He wasn’t making it in school, lots of chaos at home, and had few material splurges compared to others his age. 

Instead of succombing to a drug addiction, he found an outlet that highlighted his natural gifts.  He played beach volleyball and other sports as much as possible, and eventually became skilled enough to join the professional ranks as a teenager.  Here’s the key - it’s not just that Sean was highly gifted as an athlete.  He could have been an amazing mathmatician, or an artist, or a writer, or great with little kids. 

Kids With Addiction in Family Need Encouragement

The point is somehow he had enough positive influence and mentoring to find his gifts and act on them.  It’s hard to know how much support he got from his mom or dad.  Most likely, he got this from his grandmother, perhaps coworkers, perhaps friends he met on the beach, or in other sports.  Maybe even a coach somewhere. 

Finding out how kids come out of highly addictive households to do exceptionally positive things with their lives is something that certainly needs more research.  What encouraged Sean to do sports instead of drugs?  I don’t know him personally, so I can only speculate.  If she was a former meth addict, perhaps she spent some time in drug treatment - who knows?  Regardless, it is inspiring and encouraging to know that even as a mother’s drug addiction or father’s alcoholism takes center stage in a family, some kids can come out shining. 

Hope Lives For Kids Growing Up With Addiction

Will Sean ever have problems with addiction in his own life?  It’s hard to say, but probably something he should keep in the back of his mind with his family history.  If he remembers the lessons he’s learned from finding and using his natural gifts, chances are good he will keep on shining. 

What’s the deal with MMA fighters and drugs?  It seems like every time you turn around, another star in this fast-growing sport is testing positive for cocaine, marijuana, steroids or other controlled substances. The suspensions are flying, and UFC president Dana White and other industry bigwigs can’t be too happy about it.

But how much impact are these drug suspensions having on the fighters and their sport, and does it make sense to suspend fighters for using recreational drugs?  MMA is like a runaway freight train with designs on marketing to mainstream America, but every time an athlete is banned, there’s a strong chance he’s back in business in a matter of months.  Let’s take a look at a few of these high profile drug cases and their fallout.

MMA Fighters suspended for drugs

Besides the coked out stare, Elvis is looking pretty good these days. Photo courtesy of sherdog.com

Ricco Rodriguez - (30-9-0) - Suspended for cocaine use
Sentence - 6 month suspension

A once-great talent, Rodriguez made some serious noise in the UFC heavyweight division (eventually winning the championship by submitting Randy Couture) before he was relegated to Pride and some smaller promotions thanks to a variety of personal issues.  These problems culminated in November 2006 when, following a win over Imani Lee, he was suspended indefinitely due to testing positive for cocaine and marijuana.  Eventually he took his cocaine addiction issues to the airwaves when he appeared on the hit VH1 reality show, Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew.

Career Outlook:  In MMA, not so good.  In Celebrity Big Brother 4 or The Surreal Life, outstanding!

"I am Diego. This is my finger."

Diego Sanchez - (19-2-0) - Suspended for marijuana use
Sentence - 3 month suspension, $500 fine

A member of the original cast of The Ultimate Fighter, Sanchez was enjoying a nice 17 fight win streak to kick off his MMA career when he tested positive for marijuana in the days leading up to his big fight against Josh Koscheck.  Whether or not the drug ban was a significant distraction remains to be seen, but Sanchez did lose that fight and his next battle (against Jon Fitch).  Since then, Diego seems to have gotten his life back on track.  He’s 2-0 in the two fights since.

Career Outlook:  Great.  This is one kid who seems to (Finally!) have his head screwed on according to factory specifications.

Melvin Guillard - (23-7-2) - Suspended for cocaine use
Sentence - 8 month suspension, $2100 fine

This lightweight and Season 2 Ultimate Fighter alum learned the hard way that people in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones when after accusing 2007 opponent Joe Stevenson of using HGH, Guillard himself tested positive for cocaine immediately after the fight (which he lost after being dropped by a guillotine choke from Stevenson).  Guillard served his drug suspension, paid his fine and has gone 2-1 since, including a “Knock Out Of The Night” performance at UFC 86.

Career outlook: Good, provided he learns the meaning of irony.

Photo courtesy of sherdog.com

Kaz Nakamura - (11-8-0) - Suspended for marijuana use
Sentence - Released from contract

The PRIDE veteran proved that you can get away with doing drugs in the UFC but not if you’re losing.  After an 0-2 start against sketchy opponents, Nakamura tested positive for marijuana and was promptly released by the UFC.  Who’s to say how things might have turned out if he had started 2-0?

Career Outlook: In Japan and other countries, Nakamura can easily regain his momentum, in the United States - not so much.

Photo courtesy of sherdog.com

Nick Diaz - (17-7-0) - Suspended for Marijuana use
Sentence - 3 month suspension, $3000 fine

The UFC doesn’t have a monopoly on stupid behavior, as PRIDE FC fighter Nick Diaz proved in 2007 when he derailed his promising career with a positive marijuana test.  After serving a three-month suspension after the drug test (the one that observers say he was “nervous” to take) Diaz signed with the upstart Elite XC promotion and has recorded a respectable 2-1 record since.

Career Outlook: Solid, if he doesn’t look too jumpy before his next drug test.

Photo courtesy of sherdog.com

Adam Smith - (0-2-0) - Suspended for using pretty much everything
Sentence - 21 month suspension, $4000 fine

A veritable 5-tool player when it comes to substance abuse, the talented Smith has the dubious honor of being the first and only fighter in Nevada history - boxing or MMA - to test positive for drugs and performance enhancing substances at the same time.  After his 2007 loss at the Playboy Mansion in Beverly Hills (a non-sanctioned bout he was able to participate in even though he was under previous drug suspension) he tested positive for marijuana, cocaine and steroids.  Smith has talent, but even when his suspension expires in September 2008 one has to wonder how long he will be able to stay in the sport.

Career outlook: Bleak, unless the UFC is adding a crack-hold submission to the official rules.


So obviously it’s a mixed bag with these fighters since their outlooks are as different as their fighting styles. It leaves one wondering why they were taking drugs so close to fight time in the first place.  The reasons may be the nature of MMA itself.  The sport is so intense that, depending upon the fighter’s personality - athletes may need to calm down by using marijuana, or get hyped up from cocaine or other stimulants.

Or perhaps it’s simply a matter of choosing the right role model.  If so, MMA fighters looking to get clean and stay drug-free might want to look for someone other than the world-famous Chuck Liddell, seen here at something less than his finest hour, to emulate:

To continue our ongoing discussion on the issues of alcohol abuse and alcoholism — last week we talked about the signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse, the signs and symptoms of alcoholism and the latest addiction to the classifications of alcohol use - so I thought today we’d talk about a detail that we might have missed. Size.

Size Matters Where Alcohol is Concerned

The problem with gauging how much you drink comes with the variance in the amount of alcohol that comes in each drink. A 12-ounce beer has about the same amount of alcohol has a 5-ounce glass of wine or a 1.5 ounce shot of spirits (or a mixed drink made with 1.5 ounces of spirits). But is that beer you ordered at the restaurant really 12 ounces? Is that glass of wine 5 ounces? If you ordered a gin and tonic and it came in a ball glass, then it’s most likely a regularly sized drink. If you got a Long Island Iced Tea, however, you’ve got way more than 1.5 ounces of spirits in your glass.

What Your Liver Can Handle

There are some differing opinions on this, but your most agree that your liver can successfully clear one liquor drink and two glasses of wine or two beers in a day. And no, you can’t ‘save up’ and have 15 drinks over the weekend and cash in on a week’s worth of sobriety. Remember that alcohol is a toxin. Drink too much and your liver can’t process the alcohol, leaving the unprocessed alcohol to damage your liver. But if you think you’re drinking the moderate amount that is safe for your liver but you’re still having problems, check the amount of alcohol that’s in your drinks.

What the Experts Have to Say About Alcohol Content in Drinks

William C. Kerr is a senior scientist with the Alcohol Research Group at the Public Health Institute and first author of a study on alcohol content in drinks served in restaurants. He says:

“There are a number of factors that influence the alcohol content of drinks. These include glass size; percent alcohol by volume (%ABV) of the beer, wine or spirit, for example a 15-percent wine versus an 11-percent wine, or a six-percent beer compared to a 4.2-percent light beer; accidental pour variability; and probably most important, the intentions of management and the bartender.”

Alcohol-content information is not often available in many bars and restaurants, so this study was pretty revealing. Kerr found:  “First, the typical wine, beer or mixed spirits drink in bars is larger than a standard drink, often by 50 percent or more. Second, within these beverage types, the alcohol content can vary widely. Third, particular beverage types and drink types vary in average alcohol content and variability.”

The average glass of wine? 43 percent larger than a standard drink. The average draft beer? 22 percent larger than the standard. Drinks mixed with spirits? 42 percent larger than the standard.

What About You?

Do you have a problem with alcohol abuse? Did it start with oversized drinks in the restaurants over dinner with a client? Or too many cocktails over lunch or after work with friends? It doesn’t matter how alcohol abuse begins. What matters is that you stop in time to save your body from irreversible damage. If you have any questions about alcohol abuse and alcoholism, check out the informative articles available at The Canyon.

Methamphetamine, also known as meth, or crystal meth, is a growing problem. Because it’s easy to make and more affordable than heroine or cocaine, more folks are getting hooked at an alarming rate.

Unlike some other highly addictive drugs, meth is manufactured, many times in garages and basements. It’s made with dangerous chemicals and household cleaning products and can cause extensive damage to the body.

Though its stimulating properties feel great at first, crashing is very unpleasant, which creates a vicious cycle. Moreover, meth eats away the brain, contributing memory loss, loss of motor skills and more.

If you’re wondering if you’re addicted, you may be interested in learning the top 10 signs of a meth addict.

1. Meth addicts have no appetite. A sure sign you’re addicted is major weight loss in very little time.
2. A decline in grades, job productivity and excessive absences is another trademark of meth addicts. Many cannot hold down a job for more than a couple of months.
3. You may have heard of “meth mouth,” meth addicts suffer from tooth decay and often have blackened or missing teeth and sore red gums.
4. You smell of cat urine. Meth addicts sweat a lot and the smell is likened to that of cat urine.
5. In addition to having a bad smell and rotting teeth, meth addicts often have an unwashed appearance and suffer from massive acne outbreaks.
6. Meth addicts are often paranoid thinking everyone is out to get them.
7. Many meth addicts stay awake for weeks at a time causing mood swings, irritability and paranoia.
8. Your house or room is littered with squares of burnt tin foil and bits of lightbulb, which are used for smoking meth.
9. Your skin is so itchy you can’t take it anymore. You scratch so much you draw blood.
10. You have to have meth first thing in the morning. You feel you can’t get through the day without your drugs.