Search icon

News

28th Jan 2016

This is the horrific effect crystal meth has on your face (Pics)

Grim

Ben Kenyon

Crystal Meth is having a devastating effect on entire communities in America.

The drug made famous by TV show Breaking Bad is destroying thousands of lives through rampant addiction.

Short term, meth can leave users with a severe ‘crash’ – and result in insomnia, confusion, hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia and increased aggressiveness.

But the most visible and shocking symptom of America’s methamphetamine epidemic is the long-term physical toll the drug takes on users.

A series of Rehab.com mug shots captured over time shows the grave physical effect it has on people’s health.

MANDATORY CREDIT: Rehabs.com/Rex Features. FOR ONLINE USAGE, PLEASE INCLUDE LIVE LINKS included in the story. Only for use in story about Rehab.com's work. Editorial Use Only. No stock, books, advertising or merchandising without photographer's permission.nMandatory Credit: Photo by Rehabs.com/REX/Shutterstock (3674126c)nMugshots of a drug arrestee over a period of yearsnMore than meth: faces of drug arrests campaign, America, Mar 2014nFULL BODY: http://www.rexfeatures.com/nanolink/opu6 nnThis shocking new campaign highlights the devastating effects of substance abuse.nnLaunched this week, the 'More than Meth: Faces of Drug Arrests' campaign aims to highlight the dangers of drug abuse and its cohesive link to arrests and criminal activity. nnIn 2010 more than 1.6 million Americans were arrested as a result of drug-related charges. Many others use drugs such as cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine while avoiding arrest.n

Meth abuse causes scarring and open sores on the skin. The drug is an appetite suppressant and can cause extreme weight loss and malnutrition.

The infamous ‘meth mouth’ leaves users with appalling dental hygiene – with teeth rotting and falling out from the harsh chemicals cooked in the drugs.

MANDATORY CREDIT: Rehabs.com/Rex Features. FOR ONLINE USAGE, PLEASE INCLUDE LIVE LINKS included in the story. Only for use in story about Rehab.com's work. Editorial Use Only. No stock, books, advertising or merchandising without photographer's permission.nMandatory Credit: Photo by Rehabs.com/REX/Shutterstock (3674126l)nMugshots of a drug arrestee over a period of yearsnMore than meth: faces of drug arrests campaign, America, Mar 2014nFULL BODY: http://www.rexfeatures.com/nanolink/opu6 nnThis shocking new campaign highlights the devastating effects of substance abuse.nnLaunched this week, the 'More than Meth: Faces of Drug Arrests' campaign aims to highlight the dangers of drug abuse and its cohesive link to arrests and criminal activity. nnIn 2010 more than 1.6 million Americans were arrested as a result of drug-related charges. Many others use drugs such as cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine while avoiding arrest.n

But underneath that the drug does permanent damage to blood vessels of the heart and brain – and high blood pressure leading to heart attacks, stroke and death.

It can also lead to severe brain damage and even Alzheimer’s disease, stroke and epilepsy.

A truly horrible drug.

Methface