Methamphetamine Addiction
Methamphetamine (Crystal Meth, Speed)
Methamphetamine is a very addictive stimulant drug that affects the central nervous system. A pure form of the drug, known as crystal meth, has recently surged in popularity in the United States. Most of the methamphetamine abused in this country comes from foreign or domestic superlabs, although it can also be made in small, illegal laboratories, where its production endangers the people in the labs, neighbors, and the environment. In fact, law enforcement reports that meth lab seizures have increased almost 600% since 1995.
Methamphetamine is a white, odorless, bitter-tasting crystalline powder that easily dissolves in water or alcohol and is taken orally, intranasally (snorting the powder), by needle injection, or by smoking.
Taking even small amounts of methamphetamine can result in increased wakefulness, increased physical activity, decreased appetite, increased respiration, rapid heart rate, irregular heartbeat, increased blood pressure, and hyperthermia.
Long-term methamphetamine abuse has many negative consequences, including extreme weight loss, severe dental problems, anxiety, confusion, insomnia, mood disturbances, and violent behavior. Chronic methamphetamine abusers can also display a number of psychotic features, including paranoia, visual and auditory hallucinations, and delusions (for example, the sensation of insects creeping under the skin).
The euphoria high produced when using methamphetamine usually lasts 6 to 12 hours. It is not uncommon for a meth user to continue to use the drug for many days with little to no sleep at all. The crash experienced when a meth user stops using the drug can be extremely severe.
The effects are often so miserable that users will do just about anything to get more of their drug and not have to experience it. Methamphetamine is an extremely powerful drug that in essence hijacks the reward center of the brain.
Like cocaine, more than 3 out of 4 people that try methamphetamine will need some kind of help getting off of it. Cravings for the drug can be overwhelming and can easily overwhelm a person who has no plan in place. Methamphetamine is perhaps the most damaging drug to the brain. Brain chemistry in a meth addict can take 2 full years to return to a near normal level and in some cases may be permanently altered.
There is also an alarming relationship between methamphetamine use and criminal activity. Legal consequences aside, meth addicts often have severe social, financial, emotional and often physical problems. Methamphetamine addiction is often so severe that it damages every area of the user’s life.
Eternal Awakenings offers a Christ centered, biblically based, comprehensive solution to methamphetamine addiction. Because of the toxic nature of the drug, many users will require some form of medication while their brain repairs itself.
Our addiction doctors are specially trained to work with meth addicts and can address any co-occurring mental health problems that may be present. Our licensed chemical dependency counselors have worked in the recovery field for over 20 years and have extensive experience with methamphetamine addiction.
Please check out our home page for more information on treatment options or call us now.
