Methamphetamine is one of the most vicious drugs on the streets. Also known as ice, glass, and crystal meth, methamphetamine creates an instant addiction. Those who become addicted find it nearly impossible to stop consuming the drug without the help of a meth addiction treatment facility. Meth produces immediate results by forcing the brain to produce extra dopamine, which is the chemical that generates a sense of satisfaction in a job well done. One of the reasons that it is beneficial to have something fun to look forward to is because the reward system in our brains are activated, releasing dopamine, and making us feel happy and fulfilled. When meth is used, it causes considerably more dopamine to be released than is normal or healthy.
Meth addicts are either loners or only have friends involved with drugs because they have ruined any relationships they had with their family members or sober friends. Long-term use not only leads to social damage, but also financial ruin, possibly impaired motor and speaking skills, and even death. Meth addicts eventually focus on nothing but how and where they are going to get their next fix. The future of a meth addict may sound bleak, but there is always hope when they rely on the expertise of a meth addiction treatment program.
What is so addictive about meth?
Every substance that is abused alters how the brain releases its hormones that dictate how the body functions; however, the mechanisms of meth make it one of the most addictive drugs on the streets of America. People who want to try it just to experiment, since it is all over the media, find out quickly why this drug is one of the most sought-after highs. When meth is inhaled, it travels to the brain, rapidly taking effect and lasting from six to 12 hours. The biggest reason why people continue to use it is that it actually destroys the dopamine receptors, which causes the person to no longer have the ability to feel pleasure or anything positive from the brain’s reward system without the use of meth.
The first time someone uses meth, they feel alert and happy, talking a great deal. Routine activities are even more enjoyable as meth forces the release of up to 1,250 times the quantity of dopamine that is even produced during sexual intercourse. Each subsequent time it is consumed is not as good as the first time, causing a second part of addiction as they are perpetually “chasing the dragon” as they strive to replicate that first experience.
What happens in a meth addiction treatment program?
Addictions typically occur gradually as a person continues to use their drug of choice, but one of the dangers with meth is its potency. It is so powerful that addiction occurs after only the first few times of using it. Meth is one of the more difficult drugs from which to detox because people will not initially be able to enjoy events in their life or feel pleasure without it.
Despite what meth has done to the brain’s connections, it is not impossible to live a fulfilling life without relying on it. When an individual stops using meth, they go through intense physiological withdrawal symptoms, making it nearly impossible to continue without professional intervention. The majority of users have already acquired meth-induced psychosis. After detox, the body is free of the substance within two to three days of the last hit, but the symptoms can last for weeks or even months. The basic process of recovering from meth abuse and addiction involves several approaches that can help a person live a rewarding life without meth. The most effective programs employ a combination of the following stages:
- Detox
- Everyone’s story of how they felt during detox is different, but they all require round the clock monitoring and support to ensure their safety. The severity of the withdrawal symptoms depends on a variety of factors — including the frequency and duration that meth was used, if there were other drugs involved (polydrug use), and how they consumed them (e.g., inhale, snort, inject). A general timeline of meth detox involves:
- First 48 hours – The user feels suddenly deflated with a sharp decline in energy and cognitive function, plus nausea, sweating, and abdominal cramping.
- Days 3-10 – Severe depression, anxiety, extreme fatigue, shaking, muscle aches, and intense drug cravings.
- After 2-3 weeks, most of the symptoms have waned but fatigue, depression, and intense cravings may take another few weeks to few months to diminish.
- Rehab – Ridding the body of the drug through detox is only the first step. Using counseling to recognize and resolve past traumas and issues that were in place previous to the addiction, or because of it, is the best way to change negative thought processes to positive ones, which results in behavior changed for the better.
- Meth addiction treatment programs can last from 28 days to a year and longer. Common programs are 30, 60, 90, 180, and 365 days in length.
- There is no medication specifically shown to help ease meth withdrawal. Anti-depressants and anti-anxiety pills can be helpful if symptoms persist.
- A mental component is almost always present in meth addiction, and they require dual diagnosis treatment. This is because the meth user acquires methamphetamine-induced psychotic disorder even if there were no mental issues preciously.
- Whether they are inpatient or outpatient, all programs offer intense individual and group counseling sessions that help them explore their own past traumas that may have led to the abuse of meth and other drugs, as well as support from those who are going through similar situations. Therapies include:
- CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) has the patient take taking inventory of their thoughts, behaviors, and actions. This intense process leads to resolving past traumas, as well as learning the coping skills that will help them face triggers and any future issues that arise.
- Family therapy – non-judgmental support is essential in preventing relapses and helping someone get through the rough times as they fight to stay sober.
- 12-step programs, like NA (Narcotics Anonymous) and CMA (Crystal Meth Anonymous), rely on the support and experiences of peers who are also recovering from meth and other substance abuse disorders. Peers give motivation to remain sober with their stories on how they live without meth.
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- DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) – Form of CBT where the patient recognizes their triggers and learns how to avoid and cope with them. They will also learn to transform their harmful behaviors into healthy ones.
- MAT (Medication-Assisted Treatment) – Using specific drugs to reduce uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms and intense cravings.
- MM (Matrix Model) - A therapist forms a positive, non-confrontational, and encouraging relationship with the patient to help improve self-esteem and self-worth.
- REBT (Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy) - People learn to handle common self-defeating emotions like guilt, anger, and anxiety, while transforming their reactions to problems that arise.
- MI (Motivational Interviewing) – Addicts who didn’t want to be admitted can benefit from this process. This technique helps motivate them to embrace the treatment, and many of them end up forming their own goals to follow in their journey to recovery.
- CM (Contingency Management) - Incentives help patients maintain sobriety and remain in opiate addiction treatment programs.
- Alternative therapies — Holistic therapies can help ease symptoms and remind people that they used to be happy without the use of drugs. Examples are equine, art, music, drama, pet-friendly, acupuncture, yoga, meditation, and others that help to heal the person as a whole.
- Aftercare and maintenance
- Everyone’s reaction to the chemicals in drugs, as well as the withdrawal from them, are different. This is why each plan is customized according to the patient’s needs. Aftercare must be flexible so that relapses and unexpected issues are quickly brought under control. It is not easy to transition back into society, and having a plan in place helps do that with:
- Relapse prevention techniques
- A list of the closest 12-step support groups
- Schedule of follow-up sessions
- Halfway house or sober living plans, if necessary
Meth does not discriminate what socioeconomic class, ethnicity, gender, or education level that it chooses to ruin. Whether someone snorted meth because they were at a party and wanted to experiment or they knew that they simply wanted a weekend drug to help them escape the pressures of life for a little while, meth is one of the most dangerous drugs on the market. Someone who thought they were just going to use it once or twice and move on were sorely mistaken when they realized that they needed it all the time. It is highly addictive after only a few uses, making the user feel like they will never feel pleasure again without it. Meth even desensitizes and decreases the number of dopamine receptors, making their healing an even greater challenging; however, it can be done! There is always hope and always a way to restore your health and positive attitude. Meth addition treatment can help anyone who works the program to regain control of their life.
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