National Meth Awareness Day Date in the current year: November 30, 2024

Methamphetamine is a powerful central nervous system stimulant. Although it is occasionally used as a prescription drug for treating ADHD and obesity (Desoxyn), it is much better known as a recreational drug. Common slang names for methamphetamine as a recreational drug include meth, crystal meth, crystal, glass, ice, and speed.

Meth works by affecting dopamine metabolism, which results in a feeling of euphoria. It also increases sexual desire, exhibiting aphrodisiac qualities. The drug is highly addictive and has heavy withdrawal symptoms. Long-term meth use causes irreversible damage to the body, ranging from severe tooth decay (known as meth mouth) to adverse changes in the structure of the brain.

The common signs of long-term methamphetamine addiction include anxiety, confusion, delusions and hallucinations, dental problems (the above-mentioned meth mouth), mood swings, paranoia, seizures, sleep disorders, violent behavior, and weight loss. They can sometimes persist for months and even years after a person has stopped using the drug.

Withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, depression, fatigue, and psychosis. One of the most important facts about methamphetamine addiction is that one can’t just quit cold turkey without medical supervision. Recovery from meth addiction must always start with supervised detox at a licensed facility. This is why it is crucial for meth addicts to seek help rather than try and fight their demons on their own.

According to the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, an estimated 2.5 million people aged 12 or older in the United States reported methamphetamine use in the past year. Most users were adults aged 26 or older. Although methamphetamine is legally available in the US by prescription, most methamphetamine used in the country is produced and distributed illicitly.

National Meth Awareness Day was established in 2006 by a proclamation signed by President George W. Bush. Its two main goals are to reach out to potential meth users and provide them with prevention methods and to increase the visibility of the services and programs available to current users.

How can you observe National Meth Awareness Day? Of course, by spreading awareness any way you can and learning more about meth addiction and in signs so that you can spot them in people around you and help them. You can reach out to someone you know who is struggling with addiction and encourage them to seek help, volunteer at a drug rehab, organize an awareness event in your community, donate to an organization that helps recovering addicts, and spread awareness on social media with the hashtags #MethAwarenessDay, #NationalMethAwarenessDay and #NationalMetamphetamineAwarenessDay.