Legacy Healing Center Blog

Find out the signs of ice addiction if you suspect your loved one may be using the drug.

Do you have a friend or family member who you believe is showing signs of ice use? If so, you can learn about ice a.k.a. crystal meth’s addiction signs, symptoms and more right here.

On the street, crystal meth is known by many names, ice being one of them. Other popular terms for the drug include glass, crystal, quartz, and blade. It is one of the most highly addictive drugs someone can use and is a powerful central nervous stimulant.

Ice addiction occurs because the body gets addicted to its release of dopamine, the pleasure chemical in the body. When someone uses ice, it sneaks into the neurons of the brain and causes a rush of dopamine that is over three times as powerful as the rush that cocaine gives, and over six times as powerful as the body can produce on its own.

This intense pleasure can cause the brain to continue seeking the drug out.
While there is legally manufactured forms of crystal meth that is sometimes used for Attention Deficit Disorder and in instances of extreme obesity, the street drug ice is strictly used for recreation and is highly addictive.

Signs of an Ice User

Whether someone is administering the drug via smoking, inhalation or injection, there are many signs of ice use to keep watch for. These include:

• Dilated pupils
• Above normal body temperature
• Increased physical activity
• Increased breathing rate and blood pressure
• Little to no appetite
• Unable to sleep
• Irritability
• Anxiety and/or paranoia
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Tremors
• Dry mouth/halitosis
• Jaw clenching that cannot be controlled
• Violent behavior
• Respiratory or airway abnormalities
• Elevated heart rate for long periods of time, which could lead to a heart attack

Some ice addiction signs can also include severe tooth decay known as “meth mouth”, constant picking at one’s skin, which often leads to scabbing and scarring, extreme weight loss, a sensation that insects are under one’s skin, and in severe cases, stroke and death can occur.

In addition to knowing about the signs of an ice user, it is good to know the statistics surrounding the drug.

According to a 2015 report fro the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), almost 2 million people ages 12 and older report using the illicit drug at some point during that year. The report also found men were twice as likely to use this drug versus women.

Ice Addiction Treatment

If your loved one is showing signs of ice use, the good thing to know is that treatment is available.

Detoxification will likely be the first phase of treatment needed for crystal meth addiction because is can be very physically and mentally uncomfortable, in addition to extreme depressive episodes. Because detoxing from the drug can be challenging, a lot of people relapse during this phase.

Usually, other medication treatments will be used when someone detoxes from ice in order to help relieve muscle spasms, seizures, anxiety, and psychotic behavior.

Once detox is complete, long-term treatment is recommended to help with the severe cravings that can occur with this drug. Therapy – individual and group, cognitive behavior techniques, 12-step programs, and other self-help programs are recommended.

At Legacy Healing Center, we offer a variety of treatments and programs to help people break free from ice addiction. Our beautiful South Florida location offers a detox program, plus partial hospitalization programs, intensive outpatient programs, and family programs.

Don’t let your loved ones bind themselves to the lie that they will have to use this drug for the rest of their life.

Reach out to Legacy Healing Center today at 888-597-3547 to find out how the journey to recovery can be the next step!

At Legacy Healing Center, our approach to recovery is built around a holistic methodology. We look at addiction as a comprehensive issue and offer a complete set of services to heal the physical body, the mind, and the spirit. Combining research-evidenced practices from medicine and psychology, our team of highly trained professionals looks at all aspects of our clients’ lives on an individual basis. Our holistic approach to healing encompasses more than dealing with addiction through primary treatment strategies like therapy and meetings. We offer a full range of services to heal the whole person, body, mind, and spirit.