If you or a loved need to safely detox from drugs or alcohol, contact Southern California Sunrise Recovery Center Today.
Methamphetamine, or meth for short, is a highly addictive stimulant that causes a rush of dopamine into the user’s brain. It may also be referred to as ice, crystal, and speed, among many other slang terms. It is most commonly purchased as either a crystal or crystalline powder. Since it is highly water-soluble, it can be smoked, swallowed, snorted, or injected.
Methamphetamine, or meth for short, is a highly addictive stimulant that causes a rush of dopamine into the user’s brain. It may also be referred to as ice, crystal, and speed, among many other slang terms. It is most commonly purchased as either a crystal or crystalline powder. Since it is highly water-soluble, it can be smoked, swallowed, snorted, or injected.
For a period of time, meth was used in bronchial inhalers, nasal decongestants, and for obesity worldwide as a pharmaceutical drug. It was even widely distributed to soldiers during World War II. During these times, the side effects of methamphetamine became clear.
When soldiers came off the drug, they often became violent, attacking civilians and even their own officers. The U.S. military took note and banned the substance. In 1970, the U.S. established the Controlled Substance Act (CSA), declaring meth a schedule II controlled substance.
Today, methamphetamine addictions are fueled by home labs that produce an impure product that can cause even worse physical health and mental health problems than it’s pharmaceutical counterpart.
Meth users like the drug because of the sense of well-being it produces. Some users fall victim to its abuse in increasing their energy and talkativeness. They may find themselves getting more work done in less time, perhaps skipping meals to work.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports that nearly 2 million people used methamphetamine in 2018. It’s estimated that about half of those people had developed methamphetamine use disorder (MUD). Most new users were in their early adult lives at an average age of 23.3 years old.
Methamphetamine use disorder (meth addiction) is developed when short-term use turns into long-term meth abuse and chemical dependency. Because of the intense feeling of well-being caused by massive dopamine dumps into the brain, short-term use often turns into meth addiction.
Dopamine is a neural chemical associated with feelings of euphoria. The brain usually dispenses dopamine as a reward to encourage memory retention, motivation, and learning. The amount of dopamine produced by methamphetamine use is much higher than the natural amount of dopamine that is typically produced by the brain.
The resulting chemical imbalance feeds a person’s addiction to meth by making them crave continuously higher dosages of the drug to maintain the same pleasurable feelings. The quick progression of tolerance to meth, along with its low price, increases the likelihood of a person rapidly becoming addicted to the drug.
When a person stops using meth, they will not be satisfied by the relatively low amount of dopamine they receive naturally. This can lead to extended periods of “anhedonia” or an inability to feel pleasure. Other common withdrawal symptoms of meth are anxiety, depression, fatigue, and psychosis. When faced with these withdrawal symptoms and intense cravings, a meth user will often begin using the drug again to regain a feeling of normalcy. This cycle makes meth addiction challenging to beat without professional help.
Because of its effects, many users may be in denial of their problem or refuse to get help on their own. Others might fear losing productivity at work and continue their substance abuse. For these reasons, support from family or close friends can be crucial in the beginning stages of overcoming meth addiction.
Unlike opioid or alcohol addiction, there aren’t any FDA approved medication-assisted treatments available. Supervised meth detox is still recommended, though, as withdrawals could cause seizures, heart attacks, and strokes. In these situations, other medications may temporarily be used in the early stages of sobriety.
After the detox is completed, a good treatment plan can help fix underlying causes for meth abuse and addiction. Behavioral therapy and counseling can help meth addicts regain a normal lifestyle free from substance abuse. These programs focus on dumping self-destructive behaviors and dealing with cravings.
Support groups like Crystal Meth Anonymous can provide beneficial group therapy. CMA follows the Alcoholics Anonymous 12-step program but is adapted to serve meth addicts and their crystal meth addictions.
Professional rehab programs and inpatient treatment is what we recommend. Professionals like the ones at our Laguna Niguel, CA meth rehab give individual counseling, guided group therapy, and other evidence-based holistic mental health approaches.
Because of how meth abuse affects the brain’s motivations, long-term rehab may be recommended, especially in those who have failed to get clean in previous efforts. NIDA recommends that meth addiction treatment should last at least 90 days. They also state that, typically, the longer-lasting treatment programs are more effective. This is partially due to the cognitive degeneration that can last months after meth abuse is discontinued.
Our inpatient methamphetamine treatment program is an excellent option for anyone in Orange County who needs an escape from the stresses of work, school, or the toxic relationships that have kept them in the cycle of addiction. The immersive nature of inpatient rehab allows our patients the opportunity to reexamine their life choices free from the influence of their everyday environment.
Our inpatient programs include behavioral therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). These therapies teach patients to change the way that they interact with the world around them, thereby improving the way that they perceive themselves and even life itself.
Southern California Sunrise Recovery Center employs a variety of holistic methods that treat the person as a whole. These holistic treatments work by improving the mind-body connection. We target mental health concerns with positive reinforcement, meditation, yoga, reiki, and other physical activities.
Our patients eat nutrient-rich meals that help restore their body’s natural balance. They exercise regularly to burn off excess stress and experience the natural high of endorphins. Using these techniques, our patients can restore their brain’s equilibrium and begin to feel whole again.
Patients at Southern California Sunrise Recovery Center will be provided with meals and comfortable accommodations in our Mission Viejo Addiction Treatment Center. They will participate in counseling sessions, attend 12-Step meetings, and go on fun outings all under the supervision of our expert staff. Contact our Admissions specialist to begin residential treatment for meth addiction. Our Inpatient Meth Rehab accepts most insurance plans and can help you or a loved one get sober.
If you or a loved need to safely detox from drugs or alcohol, contact Southern California Sunrise Recovery Center Today.
