Meth is a powerful stimulant that affects the central nervous system and changes the chemistry of your brain. Users experience symptoms such as euphoria, increased energy and activity, talkativeness and a decreased appetite. It can also cause dangerous behavioral changes such as aggression and other erratic behaviors that put you and others at risk.
The severe physical and psychological effects of meth make it one of the most dangerous drugs being used today. It can be more harmful than other stimulants because it stays in your body and affects your brain for longer periods. Over time, meth can destroy the synapses in your brain’s pleasure center, which makes it difficult to experience any kind of pleasure without using the drug. Physically, meth takes a toll on your body and heavy use can lead to a stroke or death.
If you or someone you love is addicted to meth, don’t wait to get help. Contact Discovery Point Retreat today at 855-306-8054.
We’re here to make meth addiction treatment as accessible and affordable as possible — and are in network with many insurance providers. Not sure about your coverage? We can help.
Methamphetamine is a powerfully addictive stimulant. Meth is easy to create and obtain, making it a popular drug among people with substance abuse disorders. Approximately 1.6 million people in the United States reported using meth in the past 12 months, according to a recent study by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
It has a similar molecular structure to amphetamine, the active ingredient to stimulant medications like Ritalin and Adderall. As a Schedule II substance, meth is an incredibly dangerous drug with no medical benefits, unlike the aforementioned medications. Meth can be found in powdered form or in the more potent, distilled version known as Crystal Meth. Meth can be ingested in pill form, making it easier to conceal signs of meth use. Most commonly, meth is snorted, smoked, or injected. As with other injectable drugs, intravenous meth abuse may increase your risk of contracting HIV, hepatitis, and other life-long infectious diseases.
Because of the heavy stigmatization and legal risks around meth use and meth addiction, many users got to great lengths to hide the habit. This may include stashing drug paraphernalia in hiding places, wearing long sleeves to conceal injection marks, and using code names for the illicit drug. These nicknames include:
Meth users may also refer to active use in slang terms like “hot rolling” or “getting spun out” when speaking with others engaging in meth abuse. Being able to decode these phrases along with identifying other changes in behavior can help you recognize meth addiction and get help for you or your loved one.
Most people experiencing meth addiction don’t begin with such a powerful substance. As with many other forms of substance abuse disorders, meth dependence may begin with experimentation during the teens or young adulthood. During this formative stage many people experiment with underaged drinking or drugs like marijuana or prescription drug abuse.
Because meth is chemically similar to prescribed stimulants like Ritalin and Adderall, meth addiction may begin with abuse of these substances. Ritalin or Adderall may begin as misuse of a prescription or by taking pills provided by a friend. Young people are especially vulnerable to this form of prescription drug abuse as they may not fully comprehend the dangers of abusing prescription drugs. False beliefs that prescription drugs are safer than safe drugs can begin the slippery slope to meth abuse.
When prescription stimulants become less effective or more difficult to get, turning to street drugs is an easy way to feed the itch. Methamphetamine can be extremely potent because it is not regulated by the FDA and manufactured on the streets with little or no attempts to properly measure its ingredients. This high potency can produce powerfully addictive effects even in a first-time user.
There are some signs of meth use that are common across many forms of substance abuse. Because addiction takes many forms, these indicators of a substance use problem should not be ignored. Signs include:
Specific signs that may point toward meth abuse can be more difficult to spot. Some things to be mindful of include:
When you use meth, you may also go through a period called “tweaking” toward the end of a binge, when you experience intense anxiety and sleeplessness. This can last a few days or a couple of weeks. Tweaking can cause side effects such as paranoia, confusion and irritability. or even hallucinations and violent behavior, depending on the severity of your addiction.
After tweaking, you are likely to experience a “crash” phase after as your body adjusts to the sudden lack of dopamine the meth was previously supplying. This causes extreme exhaustion and depression. You may sleep a lot, and your cravings for more meth may become more intense.
Long-term meth abuse can lead to serious health complications if unaddressed. High blood pressure and increased risks of stroke, liver and kidney damage, lung disease, and heart and blood infections are just some of the health concerns associated with meth addiction. Malnutrition caused by meth-induced appetite suppression can further complicate poor health.
Like with most street drugs, consuming too much meth can cause overdose. Unfortunately determining how much is too much can be extremely difficult. Because meth is not monitored or regulated, every batch has the potential to be deadly. Even small doses of a bad batch can have dire consequences.
Recognizing the signs of meth overdose can be life-saving. Symptoms you should look out for include:
Meth overdose can be survived with proper medical intervention. Unfortunately fear and misinformation are common factors in fatal overdose cases. Other meth users who may witness the overdose may not be willing to contact the authorities for fear of being arrested. Others may not understand the seriousness of the situation while under the influence of meth themselves. This is why the best way to prevent a meth overdose is through recovery.
Choosing to break the cycle of meth addiction can feel nearly impossible on your own. Addiction is a disease that perpetuates itself. It keeps you hooked and convinced you cannot live without your drug of choice. Meth and other stimulants flood the central nervous system with dopamine, producing increased alertness and feelings of euphoria. Tolerance develops as you continue to use meth, requiring more to achieve that same high. Likewise, when you cut back or quit using meth, your body will experience withdrawal.
While not as life-threatening as other forms of withdrawal, meth withdrawal symptoms are still unpleasant. These symptoms include:
Meth withdrawal symptoms can be enough to drive anyone back to active substance abuse. Because long-term meth use can affect the levels of dopamine your body naturally produces, it may feel like using meth or other stimulants are the only way to escape these negative physical and psychological symptoms. However, giving into these urges to use meth will only continue the cycle of active addiction.
Finding a meth rehab in Dallas, Texas can give you the edge you need for successful recovery.
Meth addiction affects your mental and physical health, which requires a holistic approach to substance abuse treatment. Only focusing on the physical symptoms leaves you vulnerable to falling back into a meth use habit. Because most substance abuse stems from a deeper source, meth treatment needs to address these core causes for lasting success.
Effective meth rehab includes both medical and behavioral health treatment. Clearing the body of drugs clears your mind and jump starts the physical healing process. Psychological healing and empowerment comes from working through past traumas and mental health issues in therapy.
Discovery Point Retreat is a leading provider of substance abuse treatment in the Dallas, Texas area. As a fully accredited meth treatment center, our demonstrated commitment to effective treatment informs everything we do. Our person-centered approach to comprehensive care sets us apart from our competitors and gives our clients the best chance at long-term sobriety.
Your recovery journey at Discovery Point begins with a comprehensive mental and physical exam to identify your needs and determine the best course of care. Our team uses the information gathered during your evaluation to create a truly individualized treatment regimen to help you achieve your goals. Because we focus on each client as a whole person and not just their symptoms, our meth rehab programs are guaranteed to be more effective than doing it on your own.
For most clients, your recovery journey begins with detox from meth. Meth detox at Discovery Point Retreat focuses on helping your body break the physical bonds of addiction. Our detox level of care comes with 24-hour monitoring and support from our highly trained and compassionate medical staff. We use clinically supervised prescription medications and cutting edge technology for continuous monitoring for your comfort and peace of mind.
Discovery Point Retreat also offers medically-assisted treatment (MAT) for qualifying clients who would benefit from a long-term taper option. If you have a long history of meth abuse, a history of relapse or are at high risk for overdose, this program may be right for you. Our medical team will provide a recommendation following your admissions evaluation.
During the detox stage of treatment, we also begin the psychological aspects of meth addiction treatment. Clients in detox participate in group therapy sessions and meet with a therapist one-on-one to get to the root of their substance use disorder. Introducing therapy and other behavioral health components during detox helps to emphasize the importance of a well-rounded approach to meth treatment. It also helps to prepare you for your next steps in recovery.
Recovering from an addiction to methamphetamine requires the full continuum of care to achieve sobriety. This includes inpatient treatment for meth addiction. Residential rehab programs at Discovery Point Retreat offer the unique opportunity to get away from external distractions and stressors and simply focus on the internal healing you need for lasting recovery. Rather than an uncomfortably sterile and impersonal hospital setting, our residential locations feel like home.
Each ranch-like facility houses a small treatment population to ensure you get the level of direct care you need for success. We foster a recovery-focused community here at Discovery Point Retreat where everyone feels like family. Our recovery coaches are available any time you need to talk to someone who has been in your shoes and knows what you’re going through. They are an integral part of our treatment team, working with our clinicians and medical staff to ensure you are fully supported every step of your journey with us.
Treatment during inpatient meth rehab uses industry leading therapy modalities that are evidence-based and trauma-informed to help you work through the root causes of your addiction. This includes:
Our primary focus during inpatient treatment is client empowerment. We aim to teach you life management skills and coping tools that will help you take on anything life throws your way. By taking this time to rediscover who you are and find yourself without the haze of meth, you are setting yourself up for a more fulfilling future.
Your recovery journey goes beyond residential care and we’re here to help guide the way. Transitioning to outpatient levels of care with Discovery Point Retreat ensures you stay in the same network of compassionate treatment providers and maintain your focus on sobriety. Even if you didn’t begin your journey with us, we’re still happy to have you join our recovery family and make the most of your new sober life.
Discovery Point Retreat’s full continuum of care includes Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP), Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP), and Outpatient Programs (OP) depending on your specific needs in continued care. Our meth treatment clients may most benefit from the higher levels of continued support and guidance offered in the PHP and IOP programs while gradually working toward greater independence in the OP level of care. However, your specific journey to quit using meth will be determined with the help of your treatment team.
Our support doesn’t end once you complete treatment with us, either. Through Discovery Point Retreat’s alumni network you’re never more than a few clicks or a call away from being connected with someone who cares. Our alumni are encouraged to join our exclusive online support groups and participate in our alumni events. They even have access to a specialized mobile app with quick and easy access to relapse prevention support should you need it.
If you or someone you love are experiencing meth addiction, recovery is possible. Discovery Point Retreat’s meth rehab in Dallas, Texas can help pave the way to a better future. Call us now to discuss your options and begin your recovery today.
