ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is prevalent in today’s youth and at times adults. ADHD can be treated with a common medication that contains Amphetamines called Adderall. A person with ADHD has difficulty with their brain function that controls attention, the ability to sit or stand still, and self-control. It is also used to help those who have narcolepsy, problems staying awake during daylight hours. For those who do not have these medical conditions, it produces a stimulant high and is easily prescribed and abused every day. Because you can get a prescription for it, it is not looked down upon like other drugs, and dependency and addiction can be overlooked. There is a street drug that has similar effects which is cheaper and does not require a prescription but can cost you your life. Methamphetamine, which provides that same stimulant effect as amphetamines and it has very similar chemical make-ups but is ten times more potent and more dangerous. According to the NCBI:
An estimated 12.3 million Americans, or 5% of the adult population, have used methamphetamine at least once, claims a US expert on substance misuse. He also says an estimated 600 000 people are weekly users of the drug.
In today’s culture, meth has quickly become popular in a wide audience. It has been the topic of one popular program “Breaking Bad,” and meth has regained popularity not seen in two decades. Its popularity is growing and its audience is broad, ranging from hipsters to even high-profile individuals. Despite meth’s cultural awareness becoming ever popular, its oral health risks must not be understated.
The Effects of Meth On Your Teeth
One major oral health concern and risk is something called meth mouth. Meth mouth is tooth decay and poor dental health that usually happen when someone is addicted to meth or methamphetamines. Meth mouth has been labeled a “dentist’s worst nightmare” and is the result of a combination of “acidic tooth decay and drug-induced physical changes that occur with meth use.” Meth mouth is often one of the most apparent physical changes that occur when someone abuses meth, alongside changing facial features and skin damage from shooting meth. As reported by many dentists, meth mouth is characterized by severe tooth decay and gum disease, which often causes teeth to fall out or break. The teeth of chronic meth abusers are often blackened, stained, rotting, crumbling, and falling apart. The extensive tooth decay in these individuals is likely due to a combination of drug-induced psychological and physiological damage resulting in dry mouth and long periods of poor oral hygiene. As a result of all the negative effects on your teeth, methamphetamine abuse is very dangerous for a person’s oral hygiene.
Meth Addiction Destroys Oral Hygiene
A person that abuses methamphetamines will develop meth mouth for many reasons. For many people addicted to meth, poor dental health, poor nutrition habits, and lack of regular dental maintenance can be factors. Poor overall hygiene can result from forgetting to brush teeth or eating foods that contain large amounts of sugar along with meth use. Typically, individuals abusing meth maintain poor diets and may seek out sodas and further damaging their enamel. Smoking meth and eating sugary foods also contribute to cavities. Untreated cavities can lead to nerve damage, tooth damage, and abscesses in the mouth. Additionally, dental hygiene may seem unimportant if an individual is focusing on maintaining their addiction. Without eating the proper nutrients such as Vitamin C or Iron, the body’s ability to heal itself is impaired. As a result, people with meth mouth can endure extreme pain because of lesions or abscesses that are unable to fully heal.
Drug Rehab for Meth Addiction
If you or a loved one are suffering from addiction to methamphetamines, Evoke Wellness at Cohasset can help. Here at Evoke Wellness at Cohasset, we rely on evidence-based treatment to help you through the recovery process. We provide different forms of therapy to help you gain long-lasting recovery. Each person that comes through our doors receives an individualized treatment plan as recovery is not a one size fits all approach. Our admissions counselors are available around the clock and will provide you with a detailed explanation of how to be admitted into our methamphetamine addiction treatment programs. Our specialists can help you with costs, bed availability, and which insurance plans we accept as well as make arrangements for admission. We do offer methamphetamine addiction treatment in various formats. These programs are available for women, men, and young adults. Call today to start your road to recovery.
