Methamphetamine use disorder is a chronic and debilitating disease. Many people living with a methamphetamine addiction can find themselves unable to stop or cut down on their drug use on their own and may need professional treatment to recover.
At our meth addiction treatment center, you can receive comprehensive treatment services to help you overcome meth abuse, treat meth addiction, and achieve lasting recovery.
Understanding Meth Abuse
Methamphetamine is one of the most powerful and addictive substances known today. Methamphetamine was originally developed as a treatment for narcolepsy and was used widely in World War II to help soldiers stay awake. In rare cases, methamphetamine is still used as a medical treatment — typically for treating attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder under the brand name Desoxyn, though the number of prescriptions for methamphetamine has dropped dramatically in the last few decades. Today, people are much more likely to use illegal methamphetamine, typically produced in illicit drug laboratories and sold on the street. Meth has a variety of street names, including crystal meth, crank, speed, clear, shard, or glass. Meth use has a wide range of effects that make it a commonly abused substance, including:- A burst of restless energy
- A feeling of euphoria
- Increased focus
- Appetite suppression
- Insomnia
- A feeling of fatigue
- Lack of motivation
- Depressed mood
- Hypersomnia
Meth Addiction
When a person becomes addicted to meth, they become both physically and mentally dependent upon the substance. People with a methamphetamine use disorder may experience intense drug cravings, severe physical and mental withdrawal symptoms when they suddenly stop using, and a wide range of personal, social, occupational, and physical health consequences. Just a few of the common symptoms of methamphetamine addiction include:- Poor dental health, commonly known as meth mouth
- Frequent meth binges, followed by debilitating crashes
- Mental health symptoms such as paranoia, depression, anxiety, or hallucinations
- Loss of interest in hobbies or activities that used to be important to them
- An inability to cut down or stop meth use on their own
- Continued meth use despite mounting consequences
Meth Addiction Treatment Program
Treating methamphetamine addiction happens in stages. The varied consequences experienced by people with a meth addiction all need to be treated in turn, and this is typically done in a step-by-step process.Medically Supervised Detox
The first stage of treating meth addiction ismedical detoxification.The goal of detox is to help people rid their bodies of toxic substances, overcome physical and mental withdrawal symptoms, and achieve a state of mental clarity before continuing meth treatment. Detox has three main steps to accomplish this goal:Assessment
The first step is a detailed assessment and diagnosis. To treat any mental health concern in an evidence-based manner, it’s important to first identify the problem at hand, including any co-occurring mental illness or physical health concerns. When people have received an accurate diagnosis of their problems, they can work toward overcoming them in a systematic way.Stabilization
The next step is stabilization; in this phase, people receive medical treatment to help them overcome their withdrawal symptoms. Most withdrawal symptoms resolve in a week or so but can be incredibly uncomfortable during the interim. The stabilization phase can alleviate these symptoms and help you stay on track.Transition
The final stage of detox is the transition of care. While medical detox is an important first step, it must be followed by evidence-based meth addiction treatment in order to produce long-term results.Residential Treatment
Aresidential programis the next logical step for meth treatment. At residential treatment, clients live on-site at their treatment facility and receive targeted therapies and treatments to help them overcome substance use disorders. This includes therapies such as:- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Motivational interviewing
- Interpersonal therapy
- Mindfulness therapy
- Contingency management
