When Meth Addiction Turns Violent

Is It All In the Mind?

The previously mentioned study indicated something unusual about the brain scans of meth users. For the meth users in the study, parts of the prefrontal cortex “(were) significantly less activated than in the same area in the control group.” That part of the brain is known to be involved in emotional insight.

Additionally, the meth-using group “had difficulty recognizing and describing emotional states.” This difficulty correlated with the group’s aggression scores. If a fault in this part of the brain is indeed responsible for more aggression in meth users, it means that therapists may need to focus more on that area than other targets.

Remember that aggression by itself is not always wrong. Aggression is something animals use for survival. Other articles discuss “appetitive” aggressive behavior. In humans, this refers to positive feelings being associated with violent behavior. In animals, it refers to violent actions that are repeated to satisfy a specific need.

Perhaps there is at least a neurological link between violence and drug abuse. An additional study published in the Journal of Neuroscience revealed that scientists were able to show that the parts of the brain in rodents that control appetitive aggressive behavior are similar to those that control drug-taking and seeking. This would suggest that the neurobiological aggression reward and drug reward are closely related.

Researchers found that one group of nervous system cells acted as a control mechanism for behavior. While this hasn’t been confirmed in humans, this suggests that negative aggression could be treated differently than drug addiction is treated.

Searching for Links Between Meth and Violence

So how are methamphetamine use and violent behavior connected? Can meth users become more violent just because of the drug?

Data from interviews of more than 300 meth users was collected. Is there a demonstrable link between crystal meth and domestic violence? The overall findings suggest that it’s not a guaranteed outcome. More than half of users who reported violent criminal behavior began that behavior before using meth. Therefore, violence may be related to things other than the meth itself.

At the same time, the study also noted that meth use could have exaggerated existing tendencies toward violence. Or, it was attributed to violence through other factors like cravings and paranoia. Based upon this study, a meth user becoming more violent includes additional outside factors.

The study noted that the perceived link between meth and violence might be related to physical or mental health issues, and in meth users, often paranoia. Meth paranoia is another symptom of meth abuse and psychological features such as visual and auditory hallucinations and delusions.

At the same time, earlier violent behavior or other issues before the meth use began played a stronger role in predicting violent criminal behavior. The use of other types of drugs (such as crack) was also an indicator of future violence.

Because meth use by itself wasn’t shown to predict future violence, the study results recommend an integrative approach toward methamphetamine use and violent behavior. Successful treatment should focus on using multiple treatment methods at the same time.

Dealing With An Aggressive User

Drug abuse (and sometimes even withdrawal symptoms) can bring out aggressive tendencies that can become very dangerous. Both the addict and those near the addict are in danger of being hurt by this behavior.

When a meth user becomes aggressive, remain calm and avoid aggression yourself, this may incite the addict to become even more aggressive toward you. You can let the person know that you want to help them. Give the person some physical space so that they don’t feel trapped. If possible, get some items out of the person’s way so that they can’t use them aggressively. Use an “open” body stance, “arms open, palms up, head lowered.”

Additionally, as the person speaks, listen to them and let them know that you understand. If the behavior intensifies, give the person a choice to help them feel like they’re still in control. You might offer something such as “When you calm down, we can talk”. When things calm down and the person is not high or intoxicated anymore, it may be possible to have a calm conversation about what happened. Let them know that you are concerned about them, but also firmly establish your own boundaries. Let them know what kind of behavior is unacceptable. Also let them know that they need to get help. The truth is that you cannot continue to put up with this type of behavior from them.

If the meth user does become aggressive with you and strikes you, the best thing that you can do is attempt to deescalate the situation by remaining calm. If you feel that it is appropriate, it’s good to contact the authorities and have them come and take the person in for attacking you.

After an incident like this, you may feel angry or depressed yourself. You may feel like you must avoid the person or that you have to calm them down from now on. These are normal emotions at a time like this.

It is a good idea to have a safety plan in place if the aggressive behavior continues. Have a list of telephone numbers that you can call to get help or go for help. This would include emergency housing and domestic violence services, medical centers, or even a neighbor or friend who lives nearby. Find a safe place where you or your loved ones can go if needed. Keep important documents, identification, bank details/cards, and your mobile phone to get to them easily if you must leave quickly.

Change Your Life For the Better

It looks like we sometimes have a “chicken or the egg” problem of trying to figure out which came first. Was it the meth or the violence? For certain, we can say that meth use affects the brain, and this has the potential of inciting violence, although those violent tendencies may have been present long before the meth was introduced.

Subsequently, meth paranoia is probably more a symptom of meth abuse than the cause of violence. There doesn’t seem to be a study linking meth paranoia and domestic violence rates. But studies of chronic meth users have revealed severe changes in areas of the brain associated with emotion and memory.

Research in primate models reveals that meth alters areas of the brain associated with decision-making. It also hinders the ability of the brain to suppress habitual behaviors that are counterproductive. So an increase in “bad habits” may also be linked to meth addiction. The changes in brain structure may explain why meth addiction is so difficult to treat.

The good news is that some of the mental effects of meth addiction appear to be partially reversible. Those who begin the process of addiction recovery have restored most normal functioning of the brain. Even those who have used meth for 15+ years have been able to recover, live life, hold down a meaningful job, and be happy.