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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Worry Girl on June 20, 2007, at 15:13:04
Someone very close to me has had numerous addictions. Lately I have noticed that this person has what looks like very bad pimples on their face that have bled and scabbed over, then been picked at.
I have heard that using meth can do this. Are there any other drugs that could cause the same thing? If someone is at the point where the poison is coming out through their skin how bad is the addiction? How often are they using it? This person has never had a problem with pimples or bad skin, so I am seriously concerned. They have also lost a ton of weight.
Posted by Sigismund on June 26, 2007, at 19:32:12
In reply to Question about meth use, posted by Worry Girl on June 20, 2007, at 15:13:04
Hello Worry Girl
Maybe meth can do that. It can certainly exacerbate OCD and make you grind your teeth and stuff.
If this person has had numerous addictions they may also be really unwell, over and above the effect of pharmaceutical methamphetamine, to say nothing of stuff made in a backyard lab however administered.
I've no idea what you can do.
I do think that there is no real discontinuation syndrome with meth, unlike drugs where stopping them is a real drama.
OTOH with meth the pleasure/damage ratio is awful.
But stopping requires a certain mindset, which could well involve wanting to look after yourself, and I don't know how you can impart that desire.
We live in a throw away world, and it's no surprise when people apply such standards to themselves....however you put this...that people are expendable, if you get my drift.
Posted by Larry Hoover on June 30, 2007, at 22:16:46
In reply to Question about meth use, posted by Worry Girl on June 20, 2007, at 15:13:04
> Someone very close to me has had numerous addictions. Lately I have noticed that this person has what looks like very bad pimples on their face that have bled and scabbed over, then been picked at.
>
> I have heard that using meth can do this. Are there any other drugs that could cause the same thing? If someone is at the point where the poison is coming out through their skin how bad is the addiction? How often are they using it? This person has never had a problem with pimples or bad skin, so I am seriously concerned. They have also lost a ton of weight.Sounds like a classic case of chronic methamphetamine use. The sores are quite itchy, so they are often scratched and can become infected. Street names I've heard are "meth mites" and "crystal critters", because the appearance is something like a scabies infection. Sometimes doctors misdiagnose it as a mite infection, so it's not too much of a stretch.
The only "treatment" is abstaining from the drug, I'm sorry to say. About all you can do is provide some objective discussions about what you see happening, and be supportive of any positive behavioural changes that might occur.
I'm sorry for your friend, and your own involvement.
Lar
This is the end of the thread.
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