Methamphetamine is a highly addictive drug that gives users an energizing and stimulating effect. It can be found in a white colored powder or as a pill form. In powder form, it may be snorted or dissolved in water and injected into the vein.
Crystal Methamphetamine comes in a pale blue color. It will look like fragments of glass shards. This form will be used by smoking out of a pipe.
Methamphetamine will produce an intense high that will come and go quickly. Users coming down from meth may experience severe physical and emotional symptoms, such as depression and insomnia.
As a result, meth addiction will have a pattern of binging on the drug four consecutive days at a time and then followed by an intense crash.
Here are some of the side effects, symptoms, and meth addiction treatment options.
Meth Addiction Treatment
The recovery process for meth addiction will require a comprehensive meth addiction treatment plan that will consist of detoxification, counseling, and therapy from a medical professional. The detox process will cleanse the physical presence of meth from the body and assist individuals in re-entering their daily life without using the drugs.
The counseling process will address the psychological damage that was done by the meth abuse, also to educate the individuals who are recovering on how to resist the temptation to use and maintain lifelong sobriety. Individuals that suffer from a more severe addiction to meth may require admission into an inpatient treatment program.
Meth is one of the hardest substances to overcome; it is vital that individuals who have become addicted to meth find professional treatment. When people go about quitting meth on their own, they are rarely able to accomplish a lasting recovery and find themselves relapsing.
The Side Effects of Using Meth
Their effects are similar to other stimulating drugs, such as speed and cocaine. Even in small quantities, meth is a very potent drug. The side effects of using meth will include:
Mood side effects of meth use:
- Feeling exhilarated
- Feeling empowered and confident
- A feeling of euphoria
- Feeling dulled or lacking emotions
- An increase in sexual arousal
- Feeling constantly agitated
Behavioral side effects of meth use:
- Overly talkative
- Increasingly social
- Increasingly aggressive
- Experiencing bizarre behavior
- A lack of social awareness
Physical side effects of meth use:
- Increasingly alert and awake
- High blood pressure
- Experiencing hypothermia
- Heavy breathing
- Suppressed appetite
- Increased and irregular heartbeat
- Increased fidgeting and physical activity
Psychological side effects of using meth:
- Decreased inhibitions
- Constant confusion
- Becoming delusional
- Experiencing hallucinations
- Constant paranoia
How to Recognize Meth Addiction
- Mood changes – your loved one shows drastic mood swings or heavy depression.
- Behavioral changes – they become paranoid, secretive, and become more aggressive.
- Physical changes – they have drastically lost or gained weight, constantly have red eyes, or start lacking in their hygiene habits.
- Health issues – they start to sleep too much or not enough, lacking energy and show chronic illnesses that are related to meth use.
- Social withdrawal – They start isolating themselves, becoming problematic in relationships, or developing new friendships with others who are using meth.
- Poor work performance or grades – they become less interested in work or school. They may lose their job or start to have poor performances in which reflected on reviews or report cards.
- Legal or money problems – they start asking for money without explaining what for, or they start stealing money from friends and family. They may find themselves in legal trouble suddenly and give no explanation on why.
You may find that a loved one is trying to hide their meth addiction from you. You contradict your feelings on whether it’s drug use or something else, such as stress from a job or a stressful time in their life.
It is very important to pay close attention to any of these behavioral changes in a loved one you suspect is addicted to meth and know the proper steps to help them receive meth addiction treatment.
Stage An Intervention
When you have a loved one suffering from meth addiction and is resisting treatment, staging an intervention may be a crucial step in getting them the help they need. However, some individuals are uncomfortable in staging an intervention on their own, especially since they may become violent or hostile when confronted during the intervention.
It can be challenging to approach somebody who is struggling with any kind of addiction, especially an aggressive drug like meth. And although friends and family mean well, they might not quite know exactly what to say. The individual addicted to meth might deny that they even have a drug problem, which can make the open conversation unproductive.
With these possible circumstances, it is best to hire professional intervention specialists who have the experience of doing this. A staged intervention will show the individual how their actions affect the ones that love them, and motivate them to seek professional help. The mission of the intervention is to help and assist the individual struggling to get into a meth addiction treatment rehabilitation facility.
Meth Addiction Treatment Options
The decision to attend either an inpatient or an outpatient treatment program for meth addiction will depend on a variety of personal factors. Meth addiction treatment is challenging due to the addictive nature of the drug and the individual’s psychological reasons for why they are using the meth in the first place.
Detox for Meth
Detox will be the next step in meth addiction treatment in which the drug is safely removed from the body. A meth detox can be performed as both an inpatient or an outpatient program, but medical professionals must always be present to monitor the detox process. A medically supervised detox will ensure a safer and more successful treatment plan, as doctors can observe vital signs 24 hours a day and prescribe medications to keep the patient comfortable and stable during the withdrawal stages. Finally, once the detox process has been completed, individuals may seek counseling and other services which will educate them on how to maintain long-term sobriety.
Some meth withdrawal symptoms may include:
- Cravings
- Anxiety
- Itchy eyes
- Depleted sexual pleasure
- Depression
- Increased appetite
- Low energy and fatigue
- Unmotivated
- Paranoia
- Psychosis
Once the drug is entirely flushed out of your system, your doctor will help you prepare for treatment.
Inpatient Rehabilitation
The route of an inpatient rehabilitation program might be the best option if the individual has been using meth long-term and suffers from severe withdrawal symptoms. This could be the catalyst for the individual to relapse and fall back into the drug abuse habit if they are not in a stable environment. An inpatient rehab facility will provide a safe place free of triggers and temptations where they can regain control of their life without risking relapse. The typical stay in an inpatient rehab center will be between 30 and 90 days, depending on each person‘s needs.
Outpatient Rehabilitation
As for an outpatient rehabilitation program, this might be a better option for an individual with a weaker addiction or if they have obligations that can’t abandon like work or somebody who depends on them. Outpatient programs will be part-time and will allow the recovering user to continue with school or work and regular daily activities. Outpatient rehab usually takes 10 to 12 hours a week spent at a local treatment center for detox and professional counseling.
What to Expect During Meth Addiction Treatment
There are many different treatment options available for meth addiction. Sometimes, multiple options will be used simultaneously.
Addiction Treatment Therapy
Behavioral therapy is a highly effective treatment available for meth addiction. There are two main types of therapy: cognitive behavioral therapy and contingency management interventions.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy will address the learning process underlying the drug addiction and other harmful behaviors. It will involve working with a therapist and developing a set of healthy coping strategies. Studies have found that cognitive-behavioral therapy is highly effective at reducing meth use, even after just a few sessions.
Contingency management interventions for a meth addiction will offer incentives for their continued abstinence. The individual may receive a voucher or other reward for the continuance of providing drug-free urine samples. The voucher’s monetary value will increase the longer you go without using meth.
Treatment will begin once the detox ends. The mission of treatment is to help you live a happy life without using meth. Treatment will also address other underlying conditions, such as anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Other conventional behavioral therapies include:
- Individual counseling
- Family counseling
- Family education
- A 12 step program
- Support groups
- Drug testing
Medication for Meth Addiction
There are many promising medical treatments for meth addiction that are currently developing.
Evidence from early clinical trials shows that anti-methamphetamine monoclonal antibodies can reduce and slow the effects of meth in the brain.
Another meth addiction medication is ibudilast, which can reduce some of the pleasurable effects of meth.
Naltrexone can also help treat individuals with math addiction. This is used to treat alcohol use disorder. Studies found that naltrexone will reduce mass cravings and change to former meth users’ responses to the drug.
How to Reduce the Risk of Relapse
Practicing relapse prevention and management techniques will heighten your chance of recovery in the long term. Relapse is a standard part of the recovery process.
These few tips may help you reduce your risk of relapse over time:
- Avoiding people and places that bring meth cravings
- Building a support network that may include friends, family, and healthcare providers
- Participating in meaningful activities
- Adopting a healthy lifestyle in which includes exercise, a balanced diet, and regular sleep
- Self-care is vital, especially when it comes to your mental health
- Alter the way you think
- Develop self-confidence and positive self-image
- Consistently write goals and plan for the future
Depending on your situation, other ways to reduce the risk of relapse may include:
- Treating other health conditions
- Therapy sessions regularly
- Practicing mindful techniques, such as meditation
Get Help for Meth Addiction
The idea of overcoming meth addiction may seem unmanageable, but know that there is hope and recovery is possible. With the proper treatment from experienced medical professionals, individuals will conquer drug abuse and regain a happy and healthy lifestyle.
If you or somebody that you know is suffering from meth addiction, do not hesitate any longer. Contact us here at Ken Seeley rehab and allow our dedicated team of medical specialists and treatment professionals to help you get you back on the road to recovery!