My brother. Meth is a stimulant (upper) that brings on almost instant euphoria when smoked. It gives a feeling of invincibility. Users will often binge use, which results in them staying awake often for days at a time. Users lose sight of important activities like hygiene and eating while binge using, which is why they are often very very skinny. My brother had a dog that nearly died from starvation and neglect because of my brother’s binge using, and friends intervened and took the dog away.

Meth fundamentally alters the reward center of the brain (dopamine), resulting in actual brain damage that prevents users from feeling happiness or fulfillment when they do not have the drug in their system. I have observed with my brother that after using the drug, he will be happy and somewhat high functioning for about two weeks afterwards until the drug has completely exited his system. After that, he becomes a monster, temperamental, moody, upset and restless with everything and everyone in his life. I have observed that my brother maintains weird hours and a weird schedule, up all night when not on the drug, and sleeping all day.

I am biased, but I don’t see any easy way out of this for you or your son. If this is Meth, normal rehab does not work. I have read repeatedly that a full in-patient program is required for true healing, and usually for a minimum of two years straight. Research has shown that with extensive time, the brain can begin to heal itself. Relapse rates with this drug are extremely high.