Question on Physical Symptoms of meth use

I've read about the symptoms of meth use. I have a friend who was into meth, they said for 6 yrs. They said they never had the sores. There teeth are still all intact and they look great.
I don't know of any physical problems that they have had since being on this stuff.
They are off now supposedly. I guess i want to know, is it normal for a person to use for 6 years to not have ever had the sores and still have all their teeth and still look their age. I've seen alot of the horror pictures of meth use, and from what I understand, my friend was a daily, active user. I just find it weird that they still look as good as they do to have been on this stuff for so long. They did apparently lose alot of weight, but their weight is still a little overweight, so that is also questionable to me. They're not skeletal or anything. They've only been off for 9 mths so I can understand that they may have gained weight since then, but I'm just curious about the other stuff. I guess some days I'm wondering if my friend isn't using the rehab stuff as an outer appearance type thing and maybe they are actually a dealer. I know that is also a stupid statement, but it just dumbfounds me to read all the horror stories and then know someone that doesn't fall into the norm.
Thanks,
Kaycee

I used for 26 years and I still have all but one of my teeth. I never got sucked up looking - I was a HELL of a lot skinnier than I am today, thats for sure - but I never did go "Skeletal" either. As far as the "Pickin Pox," I did a great job hiding those with make up.

Just another question Penelope, thanks for the quick response.
Did you age alot during your time of using? How long did you use?
As far as the pickin pox, they said they never, ever got them. Is that normal?
I'm just trying to educate myself. Thanks, Kaycee

My husband was using for over 2 years and has no issues with his teeth, lost a little weight but not much, and was never a picker. He didn't really age a lot either, but his skin color did not look like a normal, healthy persons would.

The skin becomes really translucent and bruises easily, like with anorexia nervosa.

My husband was never a picker either, just a jacker.

Well,

What I always say is meth effects everyone differently. I never got the sores all over me.. or really anywhere at all. I never looked all that tore up except when I skipped a night or two of sleep I got pretty bad black circles under my eyes but I usually slept.

I didnt lose weight when I was using... in fact I gained about 8 pounds because I was getting more excercise. I was so skinny when I started I didnt have much to lose... and I ate pretty consistently through my addiction.

I still have all my teeth too.

Oh, and I still look young. At least I think I do! Those pictures of before and after are definitly possible when you use meth but they dont apply to everyone.

What does surprise me is that your friend just quit and had no problem with it after six years of consistently using. Thats very rare. One thing that has been just about universal in my experience is addiction. Some people I've known "just quit" but its tough.

I almost forgot the last thing you said! I will say this... a good friend of mine quit using dope but kept dealing. This is very rare I think... but the biggest dealers I knew were always clean and sober and in it only for the money. My friend and I both used to use togather and were dealers... he got clean though and kept dealing before I got clean. Now he's in prison for it. I guess I just wanted to tell you its possible.. my friend was in a rehab program for the courts and doing everything probation told him to do because it just doesnt work to deal dope with a warrant out for your arrest, at least not for long.

I dunno what to tell you really...

peace.

I never got speed bumps or lost my teeth. I used for about five years. The last two, daily, large doses. I did gain weight after quitting, a lot of weight.

I guess that is another thing I questioned. How could he just quit after six years. I mean, he still does the hydrocodone and pot, but says he hasn't had the terror dreams or whatever and hasn't had the craving. I think he said he did have one using dream. I know he sure does jerk alot at night in his sleep, but....
He went to rehab meetings daily for several months, but has quit that completely now. So I worry more....
But apparently he is an unusual success story, lol.
I hope he is, because I know he knows the effects of it when he sees his brother who actually makes the stuff.
Maybe he is just an abnormal case.
I guess from reading here, I just have a hard time believing someone that can quit cold and not have the desire to try it again and get started back regularly, especially since he has stopped going to meetings. Maybe I'm just worrying for no reason, I sure hope so, but my instincts tell me otherwise.

Well..I lost alot of weight while using but never did get boney or anything.

About the sores, I never got those either. Actually I didn't even have acne. I only started getting uncontrollable pimples AFTER I quit using and still have acne to this day at 9.5 mos. clean !

I think it really depends on what it is that the tweaker tweaks when they are tweaking ! If that makes sense !

My boyfriend, when using, gets "acne." How ironic he only has an acne-breakout when he's using. It's funny cuz he will run out and buy a whole bunch of acne cream.....idiot!
I hate meth!

Kaycee, I would not call someone who uses Hydrocodone and pot a success story. Hydrocodone is a narcotic, and I have known some really addicted pill heads. Some of them were worse off than the meth heads I knew.

I also DON'T consider using pot or hydrocodone a success story. To me it is just a short-term means to eventually going back to the meth. I hope I am wrong. I didn't realize how many people used pot until I met this guy. Alot of my friends do and I never knew it. I've been VERY sheltered in my life I guess. I've only tried pot a few times and it did absolutely nothing for me. I guess that is good, since I have an addictive type personality.
I don't see this guy that often anymore. He has moved on. The new person in his life may not put up with it, but a mutual friend the other day told me he accepted some hydrocodone pills from a mutual friend. So I guess he hasn't stopped. And I'm pretty sure he would never, ever stop the pot use. But hopefully, I'm wrong.
He and I are still friends, and I guess that is why I still stay concerned for him. Most of my friends tell me (that use pot), they feel that pot isn't bad since it is natural. Not like meth. They have even said the same about coke. Is that the logic most use? That it's ok since it isn't chemically made. Does most completely stop using all drugs when getting off meth or do some still maintain the pot and pills type thing?
Thanks, Kaycee

Most people in recovery do not use ANY mind altering substances. If I was to start getting high on pot and booze, it would make me crave meth like crazy. Illegal drugs are just that, ILLEGAL. In the eyes of the law none is better or worse. Just ask the cops who frequent this site. Pill heads, meth monkeys, crack whores, they are all addicts.

I agree outlaw. I guess I'm just wondering if this is a start to getting worst again. I had been so proud of this person during his recovery. (When I thought he was completely clean). He would bring his book over and we would go over it.
In most cases is this a lead to going back to meth? By maintaining the pot and pill use??? Do you have any insight on that statistically or personally, any help appreciated.
I hope not, but I can't help but be concerned.
I just found out that a new friend I just met, that I thought was completely not a druggie, that he just got out of jail for meth use & manufacturing. He doesn't know that I know, but a friend of mine who works for the sheriff's ofc just informed me of this earlier this week.
I have never been around (or thought I had) people that used the harder type drugs, but I'm attracting them like crazy right now.
Thanks for any insight!! Kaycee

Personally kaycee, if I was to start using any drugs, it would make me want my drug of choice. I would look at it like this......if I am gonna break the law and get messed up on something.....it better be worth the risks and all other problems that are associated with drug abuse. That to me would be my favorite drug, meth. I am not saying it is worth it but that is what my addict mind would reason. I would think he is playing with fire. Recovery teaches ways to deal with life on life's terms. Not with drugs.