Methamphetamine (meth) is a powerful stimulant and highly addictive. According to the National Institute on Drug abuse, more than 960,000 people in the United States have a meth addiction. In fact, meth induces such forceful dependencies that it is a drug with one of the highest relapse rates, more than 93%.
Characterized by a euphoric high and rush of energy, meth use can lead quickly to drug dependence and, then, addiction. Here, we’ll examine methamphetamine and meth addiction as well as how it’s treated and why high-quality treatment at a meth rehab in Los Angeles is crucial for managing this type of drug addiction.
Methamphetamine is a synthetic central nervous system stimulant that targets the brain. Meth is listed as a schedule II substance and drugs such as cocaine, fentanyl, and adderall. Currently, there is only one prescription form of methamphetamine used to treat severe attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or obesity. Most people use illicit forms of meth recreationally and may refer to the drug like crystal meth, crystal, ice, or speed. They may inject, smoke, snort, or ingest the drug in pill form.
Meth is composed of amphetamine and other chemicals that may literally include battery acid, drain cleaner, or even antifreeze. Illegal meth producers “cook” the concoction of chemicals to form the drug. The volatile nature of the chemicals can lead to explosions, and the waste from meth production is extremely toxic.
Meth use involves a host of effects that can cause a person to experience physical and mental changes. Chronic meth use will almost certainly cause a person’s mental and physical health to deteriorate. Even a single use of meth can lead to acute effects, including overdose. The risk for overdose increases when meth is combined, as it frequently is, with other substances such as xanax, morphine, or alcohol.
Many people addicted to meth may also engage in high-risk behaviors like needle sharing or unprotected sex. This has led to increases in the contraction of HIV, hepatitis, and other contagions among people addicted to meth. Crime is also a serious concern among meth addicts who may resort to stealing to procure ingredients to ‘cook’ the drug or steal money to purchase meth.
Like other forms of drug addiction, a meth addiction is complex. A person addicted to this substance isn’t only physically dependent. They are also psychologically and behaviorally dependent on the drug too.
Meth use changes the brain’s chemistry, causing users to feel powerful compulsions to take the drug even though they are aware of the negative effects it has on their health and overall life. Without treatment, a person is unlikely to stop abusing meth on their own.
Meth addiction can lead to extremely uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms and cravings for the drug.
In order to effectively treat meth addiction, clinicians and therapists rely on multiple treatments to target the various aspects of this condition. Because a meth addiction involves most major aspects of a person’s life, a meth rehab in Los Angeles must be multitype in nature in order to address each element of meth addiction.
Treating the physical dependency with detox, for example, is unlikely to lead to successful addiction management without meth addiction treatment for the psychological aspects of the addiction, which are often responsible for inducing relapse.
No Matter What (NMW) Recovery is a Los Angeles drug rehab that also treats people addicted to other substances, including opioids and alcohol. NMW Recovery takes a holistic approach to treatment, relying on medically sanctioned treatments like one-on-one therapy and peer group counseling and many alternative treatments like yoga or nutritional therapy that support a healthy lifestyle and complement the evidence-based therapies.
Our Los Angeles drug rehab provides individualized treatment programs based on each client’s needs. At the start of treatment, we carefully assess each client to recommend a custom treatment plan. Each person brings a different set of life circumstances with them to rehab and faces different challenges. By tailoring our treatments to suit their specific needs, we can help clients manage their addiction and mental health successfully.
Our treatment program at our Los Angeles meth rehab has a strong relapse prevention component. We help clients understand and identify the triggers that led them to abuse meth. Then, we work together to help them manage those triggers and develop a lifestyle that can help them safeguard their recovery process. By learning how to cope with their triggers effectively, they can become more mindful of them and manage them before they relapse.
If you are struggling with a meth addiction or are abusing any other drug or alcohol, you can rely on No Matter What Recovery for the support you need to achieve your recovery goals.
We have helped thousands of clients in and near Los Angeles successfully manage their addiction; we can help you too. Contact us to learn more about our inpatient treatment plans, holistic therapies, and other offerings designed to support addiction recovery.
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