Meth Tweaker – the boogie man is real

What does a meth tweaker look like? What does a meth tweaker act like? A meth tweaker is a heavy meth abuser who hasn’t slept for days.  Tweakers can go as long as 15 days without sleep. Their behavior is highly unpredictable and frequently violent.

Here are some common signs of someone addicted to meth:

Eyes - The eyes of someone high on meth will move 10 times faster than normal and may even roll back. If they are also using alcohol, their eyes may jerk side to side or look out of the corners of their eyes. If you smell alcohol on their breath, be extremely careful around them, even if they don’t appear to be drunk.

Speech – A meth tweaker’s speech will be quick and their voice will quiver slightly.

Thought process – Paranoid thoughts that someone is out to hurt them, arrest them, steal from them, etc dominate their thinking. Delusional thoughts and hallucinations further distort their thought processes and will cause them to see people and things as something other than what they really are. They may think cows standing in a field are DEA agents watching their house, for example.

Sex drive and self control- Meth increases a meth abuser’s sex drive and removes inhibitions. As a result, meth users often engage in risky behaviors without giving any thought about the consequences of their actions. Their risk taking behavior increases when they use alcohol.  Unprotected sex is common among meth users in the gay and heterosexual communities, increasing their risk of contracting HIV and AIDS.

Body Language – Meth tweakers move quickly and will have exaggerated movements.

Behaviors – Meth tweakers  are easily angered, paranoid, and violent. Their lack of self-control and irritability makes them extremely dangers to others, especially law enforcement officers.  The use of alcohol increases their unpredictable and violent behavior.

Home Life – Domestic disputes are common for tweakers. Spouses, children, and pets are continually become the targets of a tweaker’s anger and lack of self control. Those living with a tweaker are at risk of sexual abuse, physical harm, and emotional abuse.

Children of heavy meth abusers are neglected. While meth abusing parents sleep, children are left to take care of themselves and one another. Many children of meth abusers miss school. Food is often lacking in the home of a meth abuser, as well. The stimulant effect of meth use keeps the user from feeling hungry. They will forget that children still need to eat, bathe, have clean clothes to wear, for example.

Meth abusers, especially meth lab cooks, will often have guard dogs. Dogs are often underfed and are tied up to porches or chained up somewhere in the yard, so they can alert them if a stranger comes too close to the house.

Guns are commonly found in the homes of meth abusers, who are always worried that someone is out to get them.

Driving  Habits – Hallucinations and paranoid thoughts increase the odds that a tweaker will become involved in a traffic accident. Getting involved in a traffic accident with someone who is high on meth is an extremely dangerous situation. If you should get in to an accident with a tweaker,  keep in mind that they may have a loaded gun.  Furthermore, paranoia and fear of the police can push them to take actions without regard for their safety or anyone else’s – including yours.

Criminal activity- Heavy meth users are typically involved in crimes that help them support their meth habit.  Crimes involving theft are common. Money, jewelry, iPods, laptop computers, cell phones, cars, and other valuables stolen from homes can be turned in to quick cash or used as a bartering tool with a meth dealer. The theft of electronic items is common, as is the theft of mail from mail boxes.  Stolen mail ultimately leads to identity theft. .

PLAY IT SAFE-If you come in to contact with a meth tweaker, knowing what to do can save your life. Here are some great tips by stopdrugs.org that may help keep you safe!

1. Keep a 7-10 ft. distance. Coming too close can be perceived as threatening.

2. Do not shine bright lights at him. The tweaker is already paranoid and if blinded by a bright light he is likely to run or become violent.

3. Slow your speech and lower the pitch of your voice. A tweaker already hears sounds at a fast pace and in a high pitch.

4. Slow your movements. This will decrease the odds that the tweaker will misinterpret your physical actions.

5. Keep your hands visible. If you place your hands where the tweaker cannot see them, he might feel threatened and could become violent.

6. Keep the tweaker talking. A tweaker who falls silent can be extremely dangerous. Silence often means that his paranoid thoughts have taken over reality, and anyone present can become part of the tweaker’s paranoid delusions.