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11 Before and After Meth Pictures
Crystal methamphetamine is a highly addictive schedule II stimulant. Along with cocaine addiction and heroin addiction, it can be a very harmful form of substance abuse, as the following before and after meth pictures illustrate. And while there are some medical benefits, these days meth is a recreational drug with dangerous side effects that can lead to methamphetamine addiction.
Meth first appeared in the late 1800s and first became a prominent drug used widely by people in Germany. During World War II, the German Army gave meth to soldiers to increase energy and focus. While this worked, the side effects, such as violent outbursts towards fellow soldiers and civilians, caused the military to only use it for medical purposes.
Later it became a hugely popular recreational drug known to elevate moods, boost energy, and increase sexual activity. However, frequent use with high dosage leads to physical changes, seizures, mood swings, hallucinations, delusions, bleeding in the brain, and violent outbursts. These before and after meth pictures provide a clear image of the negative effects of meth addiction and drug use.
11 Before and After Meth Pictures
1. Ten-Year Transformation
Over a ten-year span, this woman’s meth use makes her unrecognizable. In just one year, she began to have significant changes to the shape of her face. Her face takes on a new form as her muscles break down by age 52. Her frequent mugshots indicate she had several run-ins with the law as well.
The long-term use also caused a case of “meth mouth,” suggesting she injects meth as opposed to swallowing or inhaling the substance. Eventually, her youthful face is gone, with poor hygiene, facial meth sores, and loss of fat taking its place.
2. Seven Months Later
Crystal meth is a powerful substance that often leads to drug abuse, legal problems, and mental health issues. It doesn’t take years of meth use to cause a physical change. In fact, a meth user in 2008 had her physical appearance change rapidly, likely due to frequent use of high doses.
In January, she maintains her youthful appearance, but the meth is starting to impact her looks. Just seven months later and the meth has taken over her life. In a short amount of time, she developed sores and red spots all over her face. Plus, her lips are thinning, and one eye is drooping. She continues to have problems with law enforcement, as she had her second mug shot taken only months apart. showing the horrible signs of methamphetamine use.
3. Changes in Seven Years
Two mug shots seven years apart show the physical effects meth can have on an individual. Meth often leads to loss of appetite, acne, dry skin, a pale appearance, and teeth grinding. Over seven years, these side effects take a toll on the human body.
In 2000, this man appeared to be roughly 40 years old with early signs of symptoms. In 2007, the years of meth abuse make him appear to be in his 60s or even older. He has sores on his forehead with visible loss of muscle and fat. His face seems limp and his eyes are lifeless, with the meth taking the life from him.
4. From 2001 To 2008
Drug abuse is a rampant problem in various parts of the world. It often ruins lives and tears families apart. At first, there might be a boost in social skills and energy, but eventually, that energy transforms into repetitive and irrelevant activities. It also causes a significant physical transformation with long-term health issues. Meth users often grind their teeth leading to meth mouth.
In 2001, this woman was at the start of her meth abuse. In seven years, she changed drastically, looking unrecognizable. Her large, vibrant eyes are heavy, dull, and shrinking. Her drug addiction resulted in a significant fat loss, noticeable on her face.
5. In One Year
Some might assume that short-term use won’t hurt or cause any changes. However, meth users often see physical changes within the first three years. Noticeable changes start at the one-year point, although sores and scabs start forming earlier. Prolonged meth use has noticeable long-term physical side effects. Even with short-term use, there are significant physical changes.
Despite these photos being a year apart, the young woman looks ten years older in the most recent image. Her eyes appear dull, heavy, and lifeless. Red sores now cover her once smooth and silky skin. She seems like two different people in each mugshot.
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6. Two Different People
Muscle and fat loss are two of the most significant side effects of meth abuse. Prolonged and short-term use results in substantial weight loss. It causes loss of appetite while decreasing the user’s fat and muscle.
The first mug shot shows a relatively healthy man in his 30s who could pass for a few years younger. Six years later, red sores cover his thin, bruised face. He clearly lost significant weight and appears to have aged 20 years. The changes to his appearance make him almost unrecognizable.
7. From 20s To 30s
It’s often challenging for an addict to give up their drug habit. In the first mugshot, this 22-year-old girl is just beginning her meth use. She still maintains her youthful looks. By the time she reached 33, she appears to have aged 20 years. There’s little resemblance to the young girl in her early 20s.
Like many meth users, she has red sores covering parts of her face. She’s also lost significant weight, noticeable in her pale and thin face. Her meth use resulted in a case of meth mouth. For a decade, her meth abuse has caused changes to her physical appearance, impacting her health.
8. Nine Years
Meth often results in self-confidence, concentration, and alertness, but prolonged use leads to obsessive and repetitive behavior. It can also lead to violent outbursts, depression, and suicide. These psychological effects often manifest visually. Despite his problems with the law, this man appears somewhat healthy in the first mugshot. Nine years later his meth use has resulted in significant physical changes to his face.
In the second picture, he seems to be reaching elderly age, although only nine years have passed. Due to long-term meth abuse, he developed a meth mouth and has dry and chapped lips. In addition to the scabs on his mouth, he has lesions and sores covering his face. He also lost interest in maintaining his hygiene.
9. Three Long Years
While quitting cocaine and heroin are also challenging, the depression concerning meth is far more intense. Meth users usually develop a high tolerance quickly. However, the dependency and withdrawal from meth results in severe depression. Even after three years, it’s difficult to give up meth. At 29 years old, this woman’s meth use and legal problems are just beginning.
In the first mugshot, she still has a youthful appearance and a chance to break the cycle. Three years later, her meth abuse has transformed her into another person. By age 31, she has a pale complexion making her appear ill, a common trait among meth users. The significant muscle and fat loss contributes to her sickly appearance. Her hairline is receding and turning gray quickly as well. Sores started forming around her mouth in the first picture, with more sores and lesions covering her face in the second image, showing her worsening condition.
10. Five-Year Transformation
Meth usually causes a physical transformation almost instantly. In five years, meth can cause a significant change in a person’s appearance. For example, the first mugshot took place around 2003. There are some early signs of meth use, but the man still maintains a youthful appearance.
Despite having few marks, there are several sores and scabs across his face within five years. Meth users tend to pick at sores creating several scabs. Like many meth users, he lost significant fat and muscle making him appear frail and much older than he actually is.
11. Changes

Meth often increases libido and sex drive. Therefore, it’s common for meth users to engage in party and play. Users combine meth and sexual activity into one wild experience. Long-term meth use often leads to a lack of maintaining hygiene, dry mouth, and showering. Eventually, sexual activity decreases while meth use increases.
Meth users often appear sick due to their pale complexion. In the first image, the young woman is young and healthy. However, her meth use causes her to lose fat and muscle. She also has a pale complexion and the onset of meth mouth. Sores and scabs are starting to form around her mouth as well. Medication assisted treatment and behavioral therapy are the best treatment options.
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