Reclaim your life with our tailored meth addiction treatment. Get the support you need to overcome addiction at Olympus Recovery
Methamphetamine is a highly addictive synthetic stimulant. The drug can cause intense euphoric feelings and bursts of energy, altering the brain’s function as it does so. Unfortunately, meth users typically develop debilitating addictions that can have severe consequences if left unchecked.
Luckily, there’s hope for those suffering from meth abuse. With the proper meth addiction treatment, it’s possible to overcome the condition for good. Here’s what you need to know about methamphetamine addiction, including how to get help for yourself or a loved one.
To uncover what makes meth so addictive, it’s important to understand how it works in the first place. When taken, meth rapidly increases the level of dopamine in the body. The body naturally produces dopamine on its own, often as a reward for satisfying behavior. But when drugs are used to achieve the same effect, the natural dopamine receptors can’t tell the difference.
The absence of drug-induced dopamine can induce a crash once the pleasurable effects have worn off, often causing the user to feel worse than before. Meth users can experience intense cravings as the body searches in vain for more dopamine. Continued use can lead to a meth addiction.
In addition to its addictive tendencies, meth use is so common due to the drug’s widespread availability. It can be taken in various ways, making it ubiquitous in its many forms. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2 million people suffer from a methamphetamine addiction each year, and that number is rising.
Like all substance abuse disorders, taking meth has many harmful side effects. Chronic meth use can lead to long-term effects such as:
While some of these symptoms may only cause discomfort, others can lead to serious consequences, such as premature death. Therefore, it’s important to treat meth addiction as soon as the disorder is identified.
Drug abuse affects everyone differently, and meth is no exception. Depending on the person and the form of the drug taken, the initial high may last anywhere from several minutes to several hours. However, other effects can last long after the high has worn off, such as quickened breathing or an increased body temperature.
Those who mix meth with other drugs may experience symptoms differently. For example, alcohol may boost the drug’s effects, though it usually comes with a bigger crash. Other stimulant drugs may induce back-and-forth effects, such as the slowing and quickening of your heart rate.
Meth withdrawal symptoms are often extremely intense and difficult to overcome alone. For that reason, medical treatment often involves using medication to manage excruciating symptoms such as cravings and body aches.
However, meth treatment isn’t limited to medication. Most treatment plans involve other methods like cognitive behavioral therapy and support groups. These are particularly useful for developing coping skills that address the root of the drug abuse for a recovery that lasts.
Methamphetamine use disorder can cause a variety of short-term side effects. While every person may not experience each one, just a handful of signs can indicate substance use disorders. Knowing the signs can help family members identify drug use in loved ones who may be trying to hide it. Some common symptoms include:
Beyond physical symptoms, meth users might show less interest in hobbies that once excited them or perform poorly at work or school. In many cases, they’ll also withdraw from social situations, including intimate relationships.
While cost might seem like a barrier to drug addiction treatment, this isn’t always the case. Some insurance companies will cover the cost of treating meth addiction to help you or a loved one get the necessary care.
At Olympus Recovery, we’ve streamlined the process of insurance verification. Simply fill out a short form and we’ll do the rest. Once we’ve verified your insurance, we’ll contact you with a quote of benefits so you can start planning your next steps.
When it comes to treating meth use, the team at Olympus Recovery stands apart from the rest. Our highly specialized team has developed treatment methods that are easily tailored to each patient’s needs. Our team is fully licensed and certified to ensure you receive the best possible treatment. From overcoming withdrawal symptoms to building a support group, we’ll be there every step of the way.
We help patients on every step of their recovery journey with everything from medication-assisted treatment to intensive outpatient programs, Plus, we employ various therapies and healing activities such as eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and group therapy. Our clients are also given space to heal at our community apartments for a peaceful place to focus on their recovery.
If you or a loved one is struggling with meth addiction, it’s not too late to get help. At our Delray Beach drug rehab, we’re prepared to use every resource to help you overcome substance abuse for good. Call (866) 429-1422 today to take the first step.
