REDUCING METH’S HARMS
On side it is easy to forget our bodies basic needs. We often stop eating and drinking water; we may neglect bathing and brushing our teeth, and we can stay awake for days without sleep. Our relationships get impacted-especially when we stop seeing family members, support workers, and friends. And because speed makes us feel invincible, we tend to engage in risky behaviour like having unprotected sex, and sharing syringes, snorting, or smoking gear.
These facets of meth use can have a big impact on our health and well being, so it’s important to reduce some of the harms by practicing self care.
Our bodies essential needs are:
If you use meth, the following tips can help you take better care of yourself:
TRACKING
Keeping track of your use can help you gauge where you are at with Crystal. Tracking enables you to slow down or taper off before you get in too deep.
EATING
Meth decreases your appetite while simultaneously speeding your heart rate. This increases your body’s energy needs. If you don’t replace the calories meth burns, your body takes it from other places like your fat reserves, muscle mass, and bones.
Remember:
HYDRATION
Maybe you don’t feel thirsty, but body functions like digestion, absorption, saliva creation, circulation, and the transportation of nutrients all depend on you being hydrated to function properly. If you’re dehydrated you can’t efficiently flush toxins out of your system, your kidneys get stressed, and you’re more susceptible to tooth decay caused by dry mouth.
Below are a few hydration tips:
HYGIENE
Side can make us forget to keep clean. Without proper hygiene we become vulnerable to skin infections. Skin infections can become serious, life threatening health problems especially if they enter and infect our blood stream through injection drug use. The risk of developing an infection greatly increases if you don’t keep your body clean.
Here are a few ways to practice good hygiene:
SLEEP
Your body needs it. Go 24 hours without and your memory slips and decision making is impaired. Go 48 hours or more without sleep and you will exhibit the signs of psychosis. Sleeping allows your body to heal itself and gives your brain a reset
PRO TIP: If you are planning to binge on side, prepare for it by resting up.
RELATIONSHIPS
Try and maintain at least one supportive relationship with a person who doesn’t use meth. They can be a friend, family member, or support worker. Having someone to lean on will help when you are going through a rough time. Check in with them when you aren’t sure if you are losing touch with reality. This person can also help connect you with resources like housing, food, medical care, detox/treatment, and mental health support.
SKIN PICKING
Do enough meth and you may feel like bugs are crawling on or under your skin. These sensations are known scientifically as formication, a condition which is common for heavy meth users. As real and as strong as the urge is, try not to scratch or pick!
Picking and scratching makes you vulnerable to contracting or spreading blood borne infections.
Here are some helpful ideas if you get the urge to pick:
ORAL HEALTH
On meth we crave sugary treats and soft drinks. At the same time, we often forget to brush and floss our teeth. Furthermore, dehydration gives us dry mouth and shuts our salivary glands down. All of this can spell disaster for our oral health.
Here are some tips to help keep your teeth healthy and in your mouth:
On side it is easy to forget our bodies basic needs. We often stop eating and drinking water; we may neglect bathing and brushing our teeth, and we can stay awake for days without sleep. Our relationships get impacted-especially when we stop seeing family members, support workers, and friends. And because speed makes us feel invincible, we tend to engage in risky behaviour like having unprotected sex, and sharing syringes, snorting, or smoking gear.
These facets of meth use can have a big impact on our health and well being, so it’s important to reduce some of the harms by practicing self care.
Our bodies essential needs are:
- Eating
- Sleeping
- Hydration (drinking water)
- Hygiene (cleaning ourselves)
If you use meth, the following tips can help you take better care of yourself:
TRACKING
Keeping track of your use can help you gauge where you are at with Crystal. Tracking enables you to slow down or taper off before you get in too deep.
- Monitor your meth use-see Where Are You At section, pg. 14.
- Moderate your meth use-take a break or quit before you lose control.
EATING
Meth decreases your appetite while simultaneously speeding your heart rate. This increases your body’s energy needs. If you don’t replace the calories meth burns, your body takes it from other places like your fat reserves, muscle mass, and bones.
Remember:
- Regularly eat nutritious meals: fruit, vegetables, protein.
- Smoothies are a great way to quickly nourish yourself!
- Take multi-vitamins-they will help replenish what drugs take from your body.
HYDRATION
Maybe you don’t feel thirsty, but body functions like digestion, absorption, saliva creation, circulation, and the transportation of nutrients all depend on you being hydrated to function properly. If you’re dehydrated you can’t efficiently flush toxins out of your system, your kidneys get stressed, and you’re more susceptible to tooth decay caused by dry mouth.
Below are a few hydration tips:
- Drink plenty of water (not sugary soda or alcohol)-eight glasses a day!
- Fortify water with electrolyte/vitamin packets like Emergen-C. These boost your immune system and taste good!
- Saliva contains substances that fight cavities-remember-a dry mouth is more susceptible to tooth decay.
- Chewing sugar-free gum will also help keep your mouth moist.
HYGIENE
Side can make us forget to keep clean. Without proper hygiene we become vulnerable to skin infections. Skin infections can become serious, life threatening health problems especially if they enter and infect our blood stream through injection drug use. The risk of developing an infection greatly increases if you don’t keep your body clean.
Here are a few ways to practice good hygiene:
- Shower regularly (if you don’t have access to a shower, sponge bath).
- Clean hands with handi-wipes and or hand sanitizer.
- Clean injection site with an alcohol pad before you slam.
SLEEP
Your body needs it. Go 24 hours without and your memory slips and decision making is impaired. Go 48 hours or more without sleep and you will exhibit the signs of psychosis. Sleeping allows your body to heal itself and gives your brain a reset
PRO TIP: If you are planning to binge on side, prepare for it by resting up.
RELATIONSHIPS
Try and maintain at least one supportive relationship with a person who doesn’t use meth. They can be a friend, family member, or support worker. Having someone to lean on will help when you are going through a rough time. Check in with them when you aren’t sure if you are losing touch with reality. This person can also help connect you with resources like housing, food, medical care, detox/treatment, and mental health support.
SKIN PICKING
Do enough meth and you may feel like bugs are crawling on or under your skin. These sensations are known scientifically as formication, a condition which is common for heavy meth users. As real and as strong as the urge is, try not to scratch or pick!
Picking and scratching makes you vulnerable to contracting or spreading blood borne infections.
Here are some helpful ideas if you get the urge to pick:
- Drink something with electrolytes-juice, coconut water, Emergen-C. These will help ground you and take your mind off the creepy sensations.
- Nibble on some food like fruit or nuts.
- Put a thick rubber band around your wrist and snap it when you get the urge to pick.
- Ask a friend who isn’t high for confirmation-if they can’t see the bugs you believe are there, trust their eyes!
- If you have picked, clean your wounds with soap and water, apply antibiotic ointment, and cover them with band-aids.
- Keeping sores clean and covered will help prevent spreading infections.
- Sores that are hot, swollen, and oozing with puss should be checked out by a street nurse or doctor immediately.
ORAL HEALTH
On meth we crave sugary treats and soft drinks. At the same time, we often forget to brush and floss our teeth. Furthermore, dehydration gives us dry mouth and shuts our salivary glands down. All of this can spell disaster for our oral health.
Here are some tips to help keep your teeth healthy and in your mouth:
- Remember-saliva contains substances that fight tooth decay and gum infections, so drinking plenty of non-sugary liquids is crucial to oral health.
- Brush and floss twice a day.
- Chew sugar-free gum to keep your mouth moist.
- Take calcium/magnesium supplements to replace minerals depleted from teeth and bones.
- Visit a dentist if you can!
