At what stage, during the meth usage cycle, does a person's behavior seem "normal"?

At what stage during the meth usage cycle does a person's behavior seem "normal?" By normal I mean, like their old self...kind, caring, etc. If they act normal sometimes does this mean they are not heavy users?

To me, at no point can a meth user act normal unless they arn't using.

I dont think any meth user can act normal, unless you mean after they quit,then im not sure. I heard that researches say that theyre not sure if a meth user will ever be normal again.

In my experience a user can act 'normal' when still using.

I think it depends upon the user. I know that when I was using I could act sociably and nice and agreeable and people would think I was clean. Many people were once 'functional' users. Even when people use They do care about people... they just are also on edge in many cases and feel persecuted and so react to everything defensivly and harshly. At least that was my experience. I know some people who it changed completely who couldnt hide they were using but I know I could. Everyones different.

I think the simplest answer though is that no meth problem is a small meth problem. Even if they dont use alot every day the nature of the addiction is to become worse over time...

I dont know what else to say except goodluck.

peace.

My husband was a "functional" user - he was always caring loving and nice - unless I interefered with his plans.
As in he planned to go hang out at his user's house , I said I'd like to go because after all they are just friends- he cops attitude well I just won't go if I always have to have a shadow.
But as long as I said fine , see you when you get back , he was very loving.Loving when he left , loving when he got back.
The use happens over time, your concept of normal changes subtly. Or at least it did for me. Surprising how quickly staying out until 10 or 11 at night with his friends while I sat at home became normal.How the distance between us - together but alone - became normal.He had his life , I had none.I lost sight of myself - and that was normal.
It isn't until now when he has been clean for 6 months that I see how much our normal changed. Little things I can not find words to describe.
I have changed - I am stronger now and have a better sense of who I am.
Not all meth users are violent and so out of control.
But make no mistake, even functional users are a danger - a danger to themselves and others.No matter how loving they are, they change.
I think the biggest danger is losing yourself , forgetting who you are and what is important to you. I got so wrapped up in his addiction, I forgot to live.
Never again.

I was very kind and loving when I was wired. It was not until I started to come down that the meanness came out. I looked like a regular person and was able to do things like a normal (whatever that is) person would. It was when I ran out and started to come off that I changed the most. I would not get out of bed, and was very mean and unsociable.

My husband is a "functional" user and is very nice when he is using it is when he is not using when he runs out that he becomes not so nice!

Imlostinky,

Thank you so much for your response. That is exactly where I find myself today. He was never violent; irritated sometimes. It's all been so puzzling this past year. And as you have said, as long as I didn't interfer with his "I've been really busy" or ask questions, everything was fine. And I have spent a lot of time alone and waiting. He also never wanted to bring me in among his friend because I didn't "fit." My self esteem has suffered even though I know it shouldn't. I've even ratoionalized things to such a degree that I start thinking it's me who has a problem. That I'm the one causing the problem. I got an inkling that maybe meth was involved and then I talk myself out of believing this...that drugs is not the reason for the distance between us...that's it's me. Sounds silly...why would a mature, professional allow herself to become so caught up
in all of this emotional downfall. I haven't seen him in over 6 weeks after being together for 12 years. I feel stuck. Anyways...I know I'll eventually see the sun again and that it just takes time. Thanks for responding.

Don't be so hard on yourself Levy- it happens to the best of us. What you know in your head sometimes has a real tough time making it's truth known to your heart.And lord knows, growing older , getting middle aged spread, wrinkles , and white hairs - everything that was up is now down- it does not help that self esteem level at all.
Then there is the "if I were this or that then maybe he wouldn't use"..........
It is a never ending cycle if you are not careful.
It takes time to realize and accept that
1. We did not cause this addiction
2.We can not cure this addiction
3. We can not control this addiction.

I did all the snoop dog stuff- waiting until he would fall asleep to ramsack the vehicles, pants pockets , and anywhere else he might hide his stash. I went through the policing the phone calls- going everywhere he went when he was not at work.
Maybe it helped in one sense , he could not use comfortably.
But it hurt me more. I lost myself, all that I was proud of most.
I became someone I did not recognize and did not like.
That is when things changed.
I got a job I loved, I started reing what is was about life that made me happy , I fixed me.
I let go- I grew up. He was welcome to grow up with me if he so chose but if not, I was moving on.
I knew the kind of life I wanted - I knew who I wanted to be , the person I wanted to be, the role model to my children and grandchildren I wanted to be.
He could come with me or stay behind.
His choice.
It was scary to contemplate the loss of a 20 year marriage and life without him.
But from where I stood , I was already living a life without him - divorce was just a technicality.
In our case, we both got lucky - he chose us.
But make no mistake, had his choice been meth, I would still be here going on living the life I want.
There will always be things in life you can not control.But you will always have the choice of how you let it effect you.
I could not change him but I could change me.
And I did.
I am a good person, I do have a lot left to offer- I am worthy of giving love and receiving love - real love.Not the love that just takes and takes and drains every bit of happiness from my soul.
When I felt this , then things changed.
For us who love addicts, it is all we can do.

They may seem "Normal" But you watch them long enough they show it trust me.

P.S. He never wanted to bring me around his friends because I am antisocial
Yep, when surrounded by people so drunk they are falling down and people so wired their mouths are yacking a 1000 miles a second, I'm not real pleasant.They make my head hurt. I would have more fun tweezing my nose hairs

hehe! ...guess I could get out the old tweezers and pluck away at those "old age" chin hairs I seem to be sprouting lately. gross! Thanks a lot all you guys. Even when I've healed and have moved forward I will never forget this site. I've joined the crusade against the pitfalls of drug abuse. Personal growth in the devastation drugs can have on families may one day prepare me to look outside my own realm of dispair, and I may be planted somewhere/sometime in the midst of helping someone else. God works in mysterious ways...much love for all of you from me.

PS: I have a brother who has used crack and now meth. He has been "messed" up for about 20 years. He has always lived very far away but his use has forever affected my parents. Emotionally and financially. I felt anger. Because of this site the anger has turned to understanding.
Understanding is the beginning; the anger is gone. My prayers for him and his family (they have sometimes lived with no electricity or food in the house) are much more thoughtful and with a much bigger heart.