Doctors originally developed methamphetamine to increase energy, but it turned out much stronger than they anticipated. The result was too addictive and too strong for most people. Rare cases where meth is medically advisable exist. Meth is an ingredient in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) medication, for example. For the rest of the population, it is a highly destructive chemical in many respects.
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Similar Reactions
Many of the side effects of using meth are universal, including:
- Increased heart rate
- Increased blood pressure
- Increased temperature
- Dopamine release, which leads to euphoric feelings
- Heightened energy
- Weight Loss
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Loss of inhibitions
- Paranoia
- Psychosis
- Brain Damage
While these symptoms are shared between genders, other symptoms vary between men and women due to their distinct physiological and psychological characteristics.
Statistics
Men and women are physiologically different, which causes them to behave and react to drug use differently. According to studies reported to the National Library of Medicine:
- Men are more likely than women to take meth, but women are more likely to make meth their drug of choice.
- Men will usually start meth later in life, while women will start in their teens.
- Men are more likely than women to end up in the ER due to meth use.
- Men are more likely than women to avail themselves of drug recovery programs. Women are more likely to struggle on their own.
- Men are more likely to commit crimes under the influence of meth, while women are more likely to lose jobs and suffer familial repercussions due to meth use.
- Men are twice as likely to OD, suffering a stroke or heart attack from the incredible stress they put on their bodies. Women are more likely to have psychological symptoms.
These are just some of the differences between men and women when it comes to meth use.
Sex-Specific Reactions
Social/Sexual
Women taking meth experience social ramifications differently than men due to a double standard. Society places more pressure and stigma on women than they do on men for having indiscriminate sexual encounters. When men have these same encounters, society tends to attribute it to a sign of masculinity. The truth is, having indiscriminate sexual encounters is an unhealthy practice for both males and females, and it is more likely when judgment is impaired due to drug use.
Many women start meth use because their boyfriend is using or to keep up insanely busy schedules when they don’t have enough energy. They take it to get an edge at school, to lose weight, to numb pain, to forget abuse, or to deal with undiagnosed mental illness. They didn’t start meth to have indiscriminate sex with strangers, pick up sexually transmitted diseases, ruin established relationships, or jeopardize their safety.
Meth gives women an inflated sense of confidence, lowers inhibitions, impairs judgment, makes it difficult to see the possible consequences of their actions, causes a powerfully euphoric dopamine release, and can lead to increased sexual activity in unsafe situations. Unfortunately, the consequences of these influences often include having multiple partners, unprotected sex, and even using sex to afford more of the drug. These actions can lead to long-lasting health consequences.
While some may view these behaviors as a sign of a character weakness, it’s likely the drugs “speaking.” Meth addiction is a disease that affects every aspect of life. Meth can override people’s character, causing them to do things they would never would have done without this potent drug in their system.
Like many drugs, meth also makes women vulnerable to predators and increases the chance of rape. While the crime is in no way the fault of the victim, recreational drug use robs the woman of the ability to protect herself. Trauma-informed women’s recovery will be essential to help the woman deal with abuse while also handling the addiction. Otherwise, the trauma can cause relapses.
Stunted Development
Often, young women take meth during important stages of physical, mental, and emotional development. They are surrounded by messages that they need to be smarter, thinner, and better to have value. At a time when they barely know who they are and when their bodies are going through the confusing transitions of puberty, they look for comfort, a way to counter mood swings and depression, and a way to fit in with their peers. That first hit of meth makes them feel ridiculously happy. It’s little wonder they keep going back.
Unfortunately, meth destroys developing neurons responsible for decision-making, focus, self-regulation, learning, and memory and does so at a faster rate in girls than in boys. Meth could cause permanent brain damage that prevents the girl from having a normal life. The quicker they seek women’s addiction treatment, the better their chances of limiting damage and encouraging neuroplasticity (the ability of the brain to bounce back).
Conclusion
Women’s drug and alcohol rehab needs to address the social, sexual, and developmental differences to truly treat the whole person. Women need a safe place to heal, a medically mitigated detox, and therapy designed to help them deal with trauma, friction in family relations, the loss of children to social services, and destroyed relationships. They need the support of alumni groups to keep them sober long after rehab. If you or someone you love needs help to break free from meth addiction, contact our women’s addiction treatment center in Idaho.