Meth Addiction and Crime: The Connection
Drugs are a big problem in America. Whether it’s cocaine, heroin, or meth, these substances have the power to shape people’s lives for the worst. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, there are roughly 23.5 million Americans using illicit drugs. However, meth is one of the most notorious of them all.
Meth is an extremely addictive stimulant that has been abused by many celebrities as well as everyday people. There is no denying that meth addiction can lead to criminal activity such as theft, robbery, and murder. Here are some other ways addiction leads to crime.
The Connection Between Addiction and Crime
Meth addiction can lead to crime for a variety of reasons. With meth, users become extremely dependent on the drug and often turn to crime to support their habit. Meth is so addictive that it can cause users to neglect their personal needs, such as food and housing. In some cases, this leads to homelessness, which makes them more susceptible to crime.
There are also many financial costs associated with meth abuse that go along with criminal activity. For example, people who use meth tend to be in poorer health over time and may require costly medical care or medications that can be difficult for them to afford on their own.
In addition to crime related directly to addiction, there are also social costs that come along with meth usage like rape and domestic violence. For example, in one study done by the University of New Hampshire, researchers found that methamphetamine abusers were more likely than non-methamphetamine abusers to commit sexual assault against women.
Meth as an Extreme Drug
Meth addiction is most often associated with extreme behavior. Meth is a stimulant that increases the amount of dopamine in the brain. This results in hyper-arousal, drive, and increased energy. Meth addicts tend to be more impulsive and less inhibited than other drug abusers. Their brains are also unable to produce enough dopamine on their own, so they need to artificially increase it with meth. This means that a meth addict will do whatever it takes to get their fix, even if that means committing crime for money or stealing from their family.
Meth addicts may also become violent when high. This can happen when an individual’s body becomes exhausted from producing too much dopamine, leading them to go into a state known as “meth rage.” Not only does this cause harm to others but it can also result in self-harm such as cutting and/or burning one’s skin or ingesting toxic chemicals such as lighter fluid or rat poison in order to die from an overdose.
As you can see, addiction leads to crime not through choices made by the addict and not through any rational thinking process but rather because of how addictive the substance is which comes down to the chemical properties of meth itself and how it affects those who use it on a regular basis.
Why are meth addiction and crime connected?
Meth is a drug that releases dopamine and serotonin in the brain, which can lead to addiction. Dopamine is activated when a person does something that produces pleasure, such as eating or taking meth. It’s not surprising then that people addicted to meth may be more likely to commit crimes because they are seeking satisfaction and joy from what they do.
The feeling of euphoria produced by meth can also make it difficult for someone addicted to not give up. When an individual gets high on meth, their brain will release pleasure-inducing chemicals such as dopamine and serotonin. This makes it hard for some people addicted to meth to resist committing crimes because they are so focused on obtaining the next fix.
What is the solution to this problem?
The solution to this problem is professional addiction treatment. Treatment begins with detoxification, which is a process of weaning the body off of meth. Once that’s completed, the next step is rehabilitation and counseling. Rehabilitation and counseling give the individual tools to be successful in life after rehab. From there, the individual can live a productive life without committing criminal acts.
The key to all of this is education on the subject of meth addiction and treatment. Information helps individuals understand what they need to do in order to get clean and stay clean. Education also provides insight into how individuals can prevent themselves from becoming addicted in the first place.
Trust the Experts
Meth addiction and crime are closely connected. Meth is an extreme drug and the desire to use it is intense. The addiction is hard to come back from and crime is usually the result of meth addiction. In order to fight this problem, it’s important to understand the connection between the two. The solution lies in understanding the problem and providing support for those who have addiction issues.
Meth addiction can affect anyone. If you or a loved one are currently living with methamphetamine addiction, help is available! We encourage you to reach out to the professionals at Oasis Recovery to learn more about our personalized treatment programs and mental health services. Oasis Recovery was founded from firsthand experience of addiction and recovery, with a mission of providing a space where people can heal from addiction in a compassionate, creative, open-minded, and heart-centered environment. We believe recovery is always possible. Our experts work with you to design a treatment plan that fits your needs. Common treatment programs include:
- Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP)
- Full-time Addiction Treatment on campus
- Aftercare Services
Contact us today for more information about how our programs and services can help you get your life back on track. You no longer have to struggle with meth addiction on your own. We are here to help.
