About Meth Addiction
Like cocaine, methamphetamine is a potent, often abused and illegal stimulant drug that can be inhaled, smoked, swallowed or injected via needle. The drug works by releasing high levels of dopamine in the brain’s reward area, which makes the user want to repeat the experience. And like cocaine, meth’s euphoric high comes and goes quickly, causing the user to take meth over and over again in a short period of time to keep the high going — even skipping sleep for days at a time — which leads to addiction.
Effects of misusing meth and crystal meth (a more pure and potent form that is smoked) include a burst of energy, a strong high, hyperactivity, increased wakefulness, rapid/irregular heartbeat, brain damage, skin infections, strokes and heart disease, seizures, organ damage, birth defects if used during pregnancy, and death.
Meth can be made fairly easily with a few chemicals and a little knowledge. Even though pseudoephedrine and ephedrine are regulated in the marketplace, abusers continue to find ways to make meth themselves in makeshift labs in their homes and even in moving cars. This ease of obtaining the drug makes it even more likely to be used repeatedly, and it is this repeated use that causes meth addiction.
An addiction to meth is very difficult to beat. The withdrawal symptoms are severe and may cause intense depression accompanied by suicidal thoughts. The only good way to overcome the addiction is through professional meth detox treatment in a reputable meth addiction treatment center like Buena Vista. Are you or a loved one battling a meth addiction?
A Few Signs of Meth Use Disorder
- Increased energy and mania
- Heavy sweating
- Diminished appetite and extreme weight loss
- Tremors and jaw clenching
- Deterioration of the teeth
- Insomnia and other sleeping disorders
- Excessive itching and skin sores
- Confusion and irritability
- Violent behavior
- Paranoia, anxiety and hallucinations
- Higher risk of HIV and hepatitis resulting from sharing needles or impaired judgment
The Importance of Meth Detox
No medications are currently available to treat methamphetamine addiction. The best form of treatment lies in therapy — cognitive behavior therapy, group therapy, individual counseling, peer support and education. But before the patient begins therapy, he or she must go through meth detox treatment.
Detox is the process of stopping use to eliminate the drug completely from the body. Discontinuing meth causes physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms, symptoms that may be so severe and traumatic that users often take more of the drug to counteract the withdrawal.
Medical support and supervision, like that provided at Buena Vista, are required to prevent relapsing and to help the patient deal with the extreme withdrawal symptoms. Our professional staff is dedicated to helping every patient get through withdrawal — in a way that is best for the individual — as safely and comfortably as possible. Withdrawal symptoms may include:
- Intense cravings for the drug
- Fatigue and loss of motivation
- Anxiety and agitation
- Depression and possibly suicidal thoughts
- Paranoia and hallucinations
- Psychosis
- Increased appetite
- Insomnia
At Buena Vista, we’re with you every step of the way. Detox is simply the first, although perhaps the most difficult, step on the journey to long-term sobriety. Once you successfully accomplish meth detox, you are on your way to taking back your life.
Ready to regain control of your life? Take the first step on your journey to meth addiction recovery today.
