Methamphetamine Addiction
Methamphetamine addiction is incredibly difficult to overcome, but thousands of people do it every year with help. Southeast Addiction’s individualized meth addiction treatment in Norcross, GA offers a thorough primer on meth addiction.
What We treat
Methamphetamine Addiction
Also known as meth, crystal meth, speed, and ice, methamphetamines drastically affect the brain and can lead to long-term damage. Southeast Addiction in Norcross, GA offers effective, evidence-based treatment for meth addiction. You will find a range of treatment options here to meet your needs.
Effects of Methamphetamines
Methamphetamines are usually taken orally by smoking, snorting, or injecting intravenously. When methamphetamine is injected, it enters the bloodstream and goes directly to the brain. Injecting methamphetamine is the most efficient way to get the drug into your system, but it is also the most dangerous because of the potential for infection at injection sites. Smoking or snorting methamphetamine produces effects within 3-5 minutes, while oral ingestion takes 30-45 minutes for effects to be felt.
Methamphetamines can dramatically affect the central nervous system. Meth is a man-made drug that is similar to adrenaline.
The effects of methamphetamine can last for several hours and may include:
- Euphoria
- Increased alertness
- Rapid breathing
- Irregular heartbeat
- Anxiety/panic attacks
- Paranoia and/or hallucinations
How Meth Is Abused
Methamphetamines are usually taken orally by smoking, snorting, or injecting intravenously. When methamphetamine is injected, it enters the bloodstream and goes directly to the brain. Injecting methamphetamine is the most efficient way to get the drug into your system, but it is also the most dangerous because of the potential for infection at injection sites. Smoking or snorting methamphetamine produces effects within 3-5 minutes, while oral ingestion takes 30-45 minutes for effects to be felt.
How Does Meth Affect The Brain?
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood, motivation, and pleasure. Methamphetamine increases the amount of dopamine in the brain by preventing the reuptake of dopamine in neurons. The increase in dopamine caused by methamphetamine leads to the pleasurable “high” users feel.
Methamphetamine also changes how neurons communicate with each other by increasing the number of serotonin transporters on neurons. This change makes it difficult for neurons to communicate with each other, leading to adverse psychological effects such as anxiety and paranoia. Long-term methamphetamine use can lead to changes in brain structure and function, leading to impaired memory and verbal skills and psychotic symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations.
Why Is Methamphetamine So Addictive?
Methamphetamine is one of the most addictive drugs available because it causes a drastic increase in dopamine levels in the brain. This increase in dopamine leads to feelings of pleasure and euphoria, which cause users to crave more of the drug.
Additionally, methamphetamine causes brain structure changes, making it difficult for users to quit even if they want to. These changes make it difficult for users to experience pleasure without using methamphetamine, leading them back to using despite negative consequences such as job loss or financial problems.
The Effects and Consequences of Crystal Meth Addiction
Most Americans are at least familiar with the devastating effects that an addiction to crystal meth can have on an individuals health. There are few illicit substances which can seem to bring someone down as hard and as fast as meth can. The terrifying “before and after” images online only tell part of the story. The physical effects of crystal meth abuse are compounded by a number of serious mental and emotional consequences.
Physical Effects
On the physical side, chronic meth use can cause severe dental problems, painful skin sores due to decreased blood flow and lack of proper hygiene, extreme weight loss as well as an increased risk of stroke and heart attack. In addition, many users experience extreme exhaustion and depression.
Mental Effects
The mental effects of crystal meth abuse can be just as dangerous, if not more so, than the physical aspects. Methamphetamine use increases the risk of developing psychotic symptoms such as delusions and paranoia, which can lead to violent outbursts or suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Additionally, users may suffer from memory loss, confusion and an inability to think clearly.
Emotional Effects
Finally, the emotional effects of crystal meth addiction can be devastating for both the user and their loved ones. Chronic use of methamphetamine leads to a loss of interest in activities that were previously pleasurable such as hobbies or relationships with family and friends. This can lead to a sense of emptiness or hopelessness, as well as feelings of isolation and despair. This can ultimately lead to a dangerous cycle of depression, anxiety and self-loathing as the user spirals further into addiction.
Recovery from Crystal Meth Addiction
As frightening and powerful as an addiction to crystal meth can be, people do recover from this condition. Thousands of people every year emerge from the nightmare of meth addiction. We won’t tell you it’s easy. For many people, it will be the hardest thing they ever do. But like most any difficult challenge, beating crystal meth addiction can also transform a persons character.
The bottom line is this is deadly serious. If you or someone you care about is abusing methamphetamine in any form, they are playing with fire. That must be understood. But we also want you to know there is hope. Changing directions and moving towards help begins with decision and action. At some point the person battling a meth addiction must recognize that the drug is stronger than they are and they cannot beat it alone. When they reach that point and they are willing to do whatever it takes to get sober and leave crystal meth alone for good, that is a golden opportunity.
When you’re in a Hole: Stop Digging
Once that willingness appears, it’s time to take action. Being open to accepting help is often a ‘flash in the pan’ and that willingness can disappear just as quickly as it appeared. Getting into a treatment program for crystal meth addiction is essential. Treatment centers like Southeast Addiction Center are staffed with qualified professionals that know what it takes to successfully recover from crystal meth addiction, whether it be through therapy or other forms of counseling.
Withdrawal is never easy, but if symptoms are merely physical somehow they are easier to understand. When the comorbidity of mental illness is introduced (as it so often is) into physical and mental dependence on a drug, it can be that much more difficult to abstain or quit. Methamphetamine creates some physical dependence, but a great deal of the draw is psychological and it takes time to break the hold it has on a person. Recovery from meth addiction takes patience and perseverance, but it also takes other people.
Finding Success in Crystal Meth Recovery
A key element for success is being surrounded by support. At first that will be clinical and medical support, but everyone goes home eventually (or at least leaves treatment. A person recovering from meth addiction must develop a network of sober supports who can provide encouragement and assistance when cravings arise or the urge to use is strong.
The best way to combat an addiction is through education, support and commitment – these are key elements that will help someone recover from crystal meth addiction, no matter how difficult it might seem. With the right attitude and determination, it can be done. And with a strong support system in place, anything is possible. People do recover from crystal meth addiction – you or your loved one can too! Just remember that this is tough enough without trying to go it alone. Don’t hesitate to ask for help, it might just save a life.
Southeast Addiction Cocaine Addiction Treatment in Norcross, GA
At Southeast Addiction, we understand addiction from every angle. Almost every member of our staff has had their lives touched by addiction and recovery in some way. Whether we’re in recovery ourselves, or we’ve watched our loved ones battling addictions– this is more than a job to us. It’s personal. We’re fully invested in seeing you or your loved one succeed in recovery and we are ready to give them the tools and support they need to do exactly that. But you have to pick up the phone and call before we can do any of it.
Give us a call at (866)-217-9624 and let’s start moving things in the right direction, right now.
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If you or a loved one need help, we are available to guide you through every step of your recovery. Call us today and speak with a recovery counselor to get started.
