Meth is illegal, dangerous, and highly addictive. Methamphetamine creates an intense, pleasurable sensation due to its ability to trigger a flood of the brain’s neurotransmitter dopamine, which is associated with enjoyable feelings.
Methamphetamine, also called meth, is a highly addictive stimulant that acts on the user’s central nervous system. It is available as an odorless, white, bitter-tasting crystal-like powder. Someone can easily dissolve the powder in water or alcohol (National Institute on Drug Abuse).
Scientists developed meth in the early part of the 20th century.
Doctors initially prescribed methamphetamine in nasal decongestants and bronchial inhalers. Methamphetamine is similar to amphetamine in the following ways:
Methamphetamine is the more potent stimulant. It lasts longer than amphetamine and leads to more harmful effects on the central nervous system.
The US Drug Enforcement Administration classifies Meth as a Schedule II stimulant. It is legally available in the country for non-refillable prescriptions only. A doctor may prescribe methamphetamine to treat ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and as a short-term weight-loss treatment. The prescribed doses are much lower than those used by people with a substance abuse disorder (National Institute on Drug Abuse).
Meth users experience a tremendous pleasant effect from using this drug. Unfortunately, the after-effect is an emotional crash that is very depressing. Users may feel as though they need to retake meth (and again) to re-experience their initial high.
Meth can be taken in a pill form or dissolved into a liquid and injected. It may also be smoked or snorted.
One of the biggest problems meth users face is how much they need to use to sustain their high. From the start of their euphoric experience to the time they start to come down, a meth high may last only a few minutes.
As a result, many meth users binge on it. They take several doses within a short time, crashing after each dose. Other people may “run” on meth; they continue to use the drug every few hours for several days at a time. The meth user won’t eat or sleep during most of a “run” period.
When someone uses meth, the drug increases the user’s production of dopamine, the body’s “feel-good” chemical. The dopamine receptors make a person feel motivated and want to engage in physical movement.
When someone eats a good meal, consumes chocolate, falls in love, exercises, or engages in sexual activity, they naturally feel good. The neurotransmitter dopamine is released, reinforcing all of these pleasurable experiences.
The human brain’s neurotransmitters naturally want the individual to feel pleasure. When dopamine is released quickly, such as when someone uses methamphetamine, the brain interprets it as being the best source of pleasure. Dependence and addiction may result if the person continues to use meth.
In the short term, a person using meth may experience the following effects:
As a person continues to use methamphetamine, they develop long-term consequences of their drug use, such as:
Some of the above symptoms can lead to the person with a methamphetamine addiction having a psychotic break. At that point, they will be at risk for reckless and aggressive behavior.
Meth addiction means the person craves more methamphetamine to ensure their disease continues. It also leads to these symptoms:
The areas of the brain dealing with memory and emotion become damaged through continued meth use. As a result, the person finds it challenging to feel pleasure.
Dependency and Withdrawal Someone becomes dependent on meth when they are unable to stop using the drug on their own. If they try to stop, they experience intense withdrawal symptoms. Some physical and emotional withdrawal symptoms can be severe (angry outbursts, paranoia, and hallucinations), and they may be life-threatening.
They may find it close to impossible to manage their cravings for methamphetamine, even if they want to stop using the drug. At this point, the person needs professional help to quit.
If left untreated, chronic meth abuse and methamphetamine use disorder can severely damage a person’s life and lifestyle.
When a person with a methamphetamine addiction seeks help at a drug treatment center, it is possible to repair the damage inflicted by chronic meth use. The addicted person can move forward to long-term recovery and a new life filled with hope for the future.
We offer a residential treatment program to our clients. Once admitted, all clients stay at our facility for their treatment program. This treatment model provides our clients with a highly structured and supportive environment where they can start their meth addiction treatment without the distractions (and temptations) of their regular lives. Clients can focus their attention entirely on getting well.
During their stay at EMR, clients may participate in these types of meth addiction treatment:
English Mountain Recovery (EMR) introduces clients to a 12-step recovery program. Based on the philosophy originated by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), our program helps clients develop a sense of hope and purpose. It assists them in reaching long-term sobriety through practical wisdom and spiritual growth.
Through “working the steps,” EMR clients develop a sense of hope and purpose. Our EMR’s 12-step curriculum teaches participants to find support in a community while embracing accountability, practicing humility, acknowledging their past mistakes, and seeking forgiveness from those they have wronged.
EMR believes that substance abuse recovery should involve a holistic approach – mind, body, and spirit healing. We include our clients’ treatment with holistic options.
Creative arts therapy is a way to use music, drama, or art to encourage clients to express (and process) the strong emotions that led to their addiction. This therapy technique increases self-awareness and helps participants develop a better idea of what they want their sober life to look like.
No formal art training is needed to benefit from this type of treatment. Participants must be willing to learn and committed to working toward their recovery goals.
Equine therapy helps people with substance abuse disorder build or rebuild trust. Often, people who have been abusing drugs like meth have strained or broken personal relationships with friends and family. The person living with the addiction may struggle to trust those around them, too.
Horses are empathetic creatures. They respond to verbal and nonverbal expressions of emotion. Interacting with horses in a therapeutic environment lets people with substance use disorders learn about:
Clients work on achieving these goals in a safe, supportive environment, and staff trained in equine therapy supervise their progress.
Clients recovering from substance use disorder build relationships, develop rapport, communicate trust, and learn healthy boundaries through their work with the horses. They gain insights into their feelings, behavior patterns, boundaries, and stumbling blocks that may interfere with their recovery.
Experiential therapy is an approach in which clients can identify and learn to deal with hidden issues through several active experiences. Clients are less guarded while participating in the activities and more authentic, which helps the therapy process.
EMR’s activity therapy staff has over 25 years of experience. Several low-ropes courses are available for clients to work with. These exercises help clients deal with emotions like frustration, anger, and stress and assist them with rebuilding their self-worth.
SMART (Self-Management and Recovery Training) Recovery is an alternative to traditional 12-step programs, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA). It follows a different set of methods and principles. SMART Recovery is a global, non-profit organization that offers resources and support for people seeking to overcome addiction and addictive behaviors.
Suppose you are in a difficult situation where someone you love is dependent on methamphetamine. In that case, you have already likely seen that watching a family member or a friend struggle with addiction means that families struggle with feelings of fear, anger, frustration, and hopelessness.
You may not realize that you can make a positive difference to your addicted loved one. Here are some things to consider:
English Mountain Recovery has been helping clients living with substance abuse disorder (formerly drug addiction disorder) for close to 10 years. We understand how meth use can destroy a person’s life, career, and relationships with their loved ones.
Our experienced team welcomes people seeking treatment for meth addiction (and those addicted to other substances) to help them break free from the influence of chemicals and move forward into a sober lifestyle.