This powerful stimulant has the potential to cause severe addictions that can be extremely detrimental to an individual’s physical, mental, and emotional health. Is it possible for a person to fully recover from a disease as all-consuming as meth addiction?
Meth Use & Addiction: The Basics
Methamphetamine, which is more commonly referenced as meth or crystal meth, is a very potent and addictive stimulant drug that affects the central nervous system. Meth is illegal in the United States and is typically used for recreational purposes. When people consume meth, they are likely to feel a euphoric and high-energy sensation.
Since meth is so strong, it quickly leads to dependence and addiction. Dependence occurs when someone’s body begins to rely on meth. The more someone uses meth, the higher their tolerance will become and the more they will need to feel the same effect. Meth addiction is a huge problem in the United States and has led to brain damage, withdrawal, and even death.
Risks of Having A Meth Addiction
When someone uses meth in any capacity, they are at risk for a variety of health concerns. The most common side effects of meth use include psychosis, changes in brain function, memory loss, distractibility, mood disturbances, issues with motor skills, dental issues, severe weight loss, increased heart rate, faster breathing, high blood pressure, decreased appetite, and more.
A person who is addicted to meth and consumes it in high volumes for a long time is at a higher risk for more serious side effects such as temporary or permanent brain damage, anxiety, memory loss, violent behavior, paranoia, hallucinations, and intense withdrawal symptoms.
Meth withdrawal is a painful process that occurs when an individual suddenly stops taking meth or drastically decreases their dose. The symptoms of meth withdrawal can last up to several weeks. Common side effects of meth withdrawal include fatigue, agitation, increased appetite, insomnia, agitation, excessive sweating, paranoia, hallucinations, insomnia, fever, itchy eyes, red eyes, confusion, tremors, loss of motivation, suicidal thoughts, depression, anxiety, stomach aches, dehydration, and more. Withdrawal should always be treated by medical professionals in a hospital or rehab setting. It can be dangerous if treated at home or without support.
Can You Recover From Meth Addiction?
While recovering from meth can be a taxing process, it is very possible and very worth it. Those with meth addictions are completely able to fully recover from their addiction and live a happy & healthy life, as long as they are committed to getting sober and seeking change. If someone wants to recover from a meth addiction, they have to understand that the detox process may be difficult at times. They may even slip and relapse a few times. But the important part is that they pick themselves back up and work to get to the root of their addiction and stop it at the source.
Once someone recovers from meth, they will regain a lot of everyday abilities that they lost and may have taken advantage of when they had them. Recovering from meth allows individuals to stabilize mood swings, normalize their brain receptors, improve their depression or anxiety, have less nightmares, improve their focus and attention, and reduce jitters or emotional outbursts.
Meth Addiction Treatment Options
Meth addiction must be treated in a rehabilitation facility for the treatment to be successful. Detox, the first step of the process, will clean an individual’s body of meth and prepare them for further treatment. Their treatment plan and the options available to them will depend on the severity of a patient’s condition. Treatment methods for individuals with meth addictions typically include CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), Contingency Management, The Matrix Model, support groups like Narcotics Anonymous or Crystal Meth Anonymous, and counseling. These treatment options will help individuals understand the underlying causes of their addictions and adopt more beneficial habits or behaviors.
To learn more about meth addiction and the treatment options for a successful recovery, contact our team of substance abuse treatment representatives at First Step Behavioral Health. Give us a call at (866) 971-5531 or contact us today for more information.