Side Effects And Symptoms Of Meth
Meth has both immediate and long-term effects. Understanding the risks will help you, as a meth addict or as a person assisting the meth addict, gain motivation to push you through the recovery process.
Meth mouth is the first obvious sign of long-term meth addiction. An addicts mouth will have missing teeth, stained teeth, chipped or cracked teeth, and will have tooth decay left untreated for so long.
Besides that, a meth addict may develop open sores, wounds, and lesions on the skin. As a person gets more addicted to the drug, blood flow to the skin reduces, and this is why sores develop. Even worse, wounds on the skin fail to heal naturally as they would in a healthy person. The drug also ages the user.
A user feels anxious and depressed all the time. The feeling can be overwhelming, leading to confusion and disorientation. At such times, the addict experiences panic attacks, hallucinations, and sometimes meth psychosis. With extended use of meth, these can develop into mental health and mood disorders.
Meth users have a high libido and less sense of judgment this exposes them to the risk of contracting HIV and other STIs. Again, they may get into unplanned pregnancies. They could also get into a coma, seizure, heart attack, or stroke at any time.
A Private Program In Your Pocket
Affect offers everything a rehab clinic does, but puts it all in your pocket and goes wherever you do. Its discreet so you keep your recovery private while still having a compassionate community to support you.
You have access to individual and group therapy, medical assistance to help manage meth withdrawal and detox, and a full program that helps you learn to manage your triggers and rebuild a life while you recover. Its built specifically to treat stimulant addictions like meth and cocaine. With rewards and incentives, you are continually motivated to keep working your recovery journey.
Many people cant afford to go to a residential rehab or inpatient treatment facility, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars per month. Outpatient clinics have strict requirements and are time intensive. Affect is built with this in mind we bring a a fulll recovery program to you via our app so you dont have to go to rehab. You can work the program from wherever you are and schedule your appointments at times that work for you. Even if you dont have health insurance, our care advocates can work with you to get coverage. Making the brave decision to quit using meth is hard enough. We make the rest as easy as possible. Talk to one of our care advocates and well help you through everything.
Negative Effects On Brain Cells
Microglia cells in the brain are negatively affected by meth use because their main purpose is to defend the brain against infection and damaged neurons. Meth abuse causes them to have to stay active for too long, and this can result in them beginning to attack healthy neurons instead.
If a person can manage to stay sober for at least two years, some of the damage can be repaired by the body, but only damage in certain brain regions will be repaired from the effects of meth. The remainder of the brain is often permanently impaired, which can result in an increased risk of Parkinsons disease and moderate to severe strokes.
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How Can Continuum Recovery Center Of Colorado Help My Meth Addiction
Continuum Recovery Center of Colorado is well-equipped to support your recovery from meth addiction. We have tools and resources to help you through this process. Depending on the duration and severity of your addiction, well recommend one of our recovery programs comprehensive day treatment , intensive outpatient treatment and outpatient treatment .
All of our rehab programs are flexible, adaptable and comprehensive. You can continue with much of your normal routine while receiving structured, personalized care. We hold our clients accountable, so expect to be responsible for attending counseling, 12-step support groups and more. Even with this regimen, we find that our clients enjoy the flexibility that outpatient rehab in Denver offers.
Causes And Risk Factors For Meth Addiction
People try illegal drugs for a number of reasons, mostly involving being dissatisfied with their lives. Other reasons people abuse drugs include fitting in with peers and friends, escaping an unpleasant situation, relief from boredom, to rebel from authority, and to experiment. While methamphetamine use is often used to solve a problem, the drug abuse and consequences become the problem.
Genetic: research has shown that certain individuals have a genetic predisposition to develop a substance abuse problem or addiction. This is especially true for people who have a first-degree relative, such as a parent or sibling, who are addicted to a substance of abuse.
Biological: some researchers have proposed that methamphetamine abuse may be the result of lower levels of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that has a large effect on the pleasure feelings we receive from seeing our children or eating a great meal. This biological makeup could make people who abuse methamphetamines desire the euphoric feelings caused by increased levels of dopamine released by methamphetamine use.
Psychological: as many mental illnesses and other conditions can cause a decrease in feelings of happiness, many turn to substance abuse as a means to control their symptoms. In addition, methamphetamine, like other drugs of abuse, leads to the disruption of normal levels of dopamine in the brain, so that over time a methamphetamine user is unable to feel pleasure without using meth.
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Why Is Methamphetamine So Addictive
- When you take meth your brain gets flooded with dopamine.Meth causes the release of extra dopamine and it also blocks the reuptake of dopamine in the synaptic clefts between neurons. This causes a longand very pleasurable high.
- With repeated use your brain adapts and you start needingmore and more meth to get the same effects
- With repeated use you start to deplete dopamine and certain other neurotransmittersin your brain.
- Once you have depleted your normal levels of dopamine andyour brain has adapted to expect massive levels of dopamine, stopping becomesquite difficult. As your dopamine levels fall after use you experience verystrong cravings and negative feelings, like depression and an inability toexperience pleasure.
This combination of very strong cravings and very harsheffects when in initial withdrawal make methamphetamine a very addictivesubstance.1
And unfortunately, though the cravings are hard to beat,the way meth changes your physical, mental and psychological health exacerbatesthe situation and makes quitting for good all that much tougher.
Damage To The Body And Brain From Meth Addiction
Long term damage from meth use and abuse include increased heart rate, high blood pressure, increased risk of stroke from damaged blood vessels in the brain, and an increased risk of liver, kidney, and lung damage. Meth users also have higher rates of short term memory loss, extreme mood swings, and an inability to comprehend abstract concepts and ideas.
A recent survey indicated that one out of every 33 teens has tried meth. The drug is cheap, accessible, and offers a long lasting high. Once the signs and symptoms of meth addiction have been recognized, withdrawal is the standard for rehab, often done in tandem with treatment for depression and other mental illnesses. Meth has one of the highest relapse rates of any stimulant, but early intervention is key to a successful recovery.
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Reasons Why Rehab Is So Effective
There simply is no substitute for professional treatment when attempting to recover from a meth addiction. As we said, the process can be exceedingly difficult and even dangerous due to withdrawals. Depending on how severe the addiction is, withdrawal stages can last a long time and become rather serious. Again, though, this isnt the only reason professional help is a must.
After withdrawals subside, many make the mistake that they have kicked their addiction as cravings typically begin to fade away. However, those cravings can come back full-swing, and one may begin to use again because of it. As if that isnt enough, withdrawals can return at any moment during the coming weeks, and they can be just as dangerous as they were the first time around.
One thing that makes rehab so effective, aside from medical attention being only seconds away, is that you can take part in therapy sessions to boost your mental state. These sessions can be one-on-one or in groups, making it possible for you to receive the advice and positive reinforcement you need to succeed. They can also provide the attention you need to recover from the long-term effects of meth that might have taken a toll on your physical and mental state.
During the final stages, your rehab center can also work with you to get your life back on track. They can help set you up with a better living situation, help you find work, and continue to provide treatment long after your stay has come to an end.
Does My Insurance Cover Crystal Meth Addiction Rehab
If you have decided to begin searching for rehabs near me, you know the process can feel overwhelming. This is especially true if you are not sure if insurance will cover the cost of treatment. Fortunately, most insurance plans cover at least part of, if not all, crystal meth addiction treatment. You can call the number on the back of your insurance card or check your insurance coverage online by filling out the form below.
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Does Insurance Cover Meth Addiction Treatment
Yes, plenty of meth rehab centers accept various forms of in-state and out-of-state insurance plans. To find out whether or not your insurance will cover the full or partial cost of your treatment, simply provide your insurance information in the form below and an American Addiction Centers admissions navigator will inquire on your benefits.
Pay Attention To Hydration And Nutrition
If youre planning to go through a meth comedown, one of the most important things to focus on is nutrition and hydration. Meth often suppresses peoples appetite, so regular users can be underweight and lacking important nutrients. Make sure you eat a well-balanced diet to get the calories, vitamins and minerals you need, and drink a lot of water to keep yourself hydrated. Meth also dries you out, so there is a good chance youll be dehydrated at the start of a meth comedown, and a good way to keep other comedown symptoms like headaches, fatigue and lethargy at bay is by staying hydrated.
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What Meth Recovery Is Like
Recovery can be a struggle during the first few months. People who complete treatment often face triggers that lead to cravings. They may go back to old neighborhoods where they used to engage in meth use, which can lead to relapse.
Many individuals recovering from meth addiction continue to work on their sobriety after rehab. They attend 12-step meetings such as Crystal Meth Anonymous, where they communicate with others in recovery and learn ways to avoid triggers and manage cravings.
People in recovery might still feel the effects of past meth abuse. For example, meth mouth does not go away after treatment. To treat tooth decay or gum disease caused by meth use, it is important to visit a dentist as soon as possible.
Dental experts might be able to craft a treatment plan and offer tips for addressing mouth disease, including sores in the mouth. Those in recovery can also improve oral health by avoiding sugary products such as soda or candy.
Depression, a common symptom of meth addiction, can also linger into recovery. This mental illness affects how a person thinks, feels and handles daily activities. A combination of therapy and medications can help improve mood and reduce depressive thoughts.
Tips For How To Quit Smoking Meth From The Experts
Life for a frequent meth user has more downsides than upsides. Theres the constant search for meth to satisfy the cravings and addiction. Theres also likely to be serious physical and psychological damage from nonstop meth use. Besides a devastating effect on the overall quality of life, for the addicted meth user, theres a complete inability to function without meth. If this sounds familiar, it could be time to think about quitting meth.
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The Best Way To Quit Using Crystal Meth
Anytime you are using a substance that youve become dependent on, it can cause problems. Even before an individual becomes addicted to a drug, abuse can negatively impact their life. If you are using crystal meth, there are effective ways to quit your meth addiction.
If youre committed to making a positive change in your life, the best way to quit using crystal meth is to seek professional help. Even if you dont think youre ready to enter a drug rehab program for meth addiction, the experts available to you can help you get going in the right direction.
Knowing The Risks Of Methamphetamine Use
When prescribed, methamphetamine needs a controlled dosage because it possesses such a powerful addictive potential but also because there are notable side effects.
Methamphetamine is an energizer, which indicates it boosts activity in the brain, specifically the Central Nervous System. The substance causes a rise in body temperature, blood pressure, cardiac rate, breathing, and vigilance.
There are notable troublesome side effects of taking methamphetamines, such as headaches, dry mouth, itchiness, and constipation. Besides, there are side effects that might be very critical, which include tremors, a rapid cardiac rate, heart attack, seizures, hallucinations, delusions, aggression, mania, stroke, and theres death.
Addiction is also a grave risk of abusing methamphetamine. It is habit-forming and can lead to cravings, tolerance, withdrawal, and finally, a much severe addiction.
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How To Come Down From Meth Safely
A meth comedown is rarely medically dangerous however, withdrawal symptoms like depression or psychosis can be severe and may lead to self-harm and even suicidal actions within the first few weeks after quitting.
Because people that use meth frequently misuse other substances as well, there is also the risk of experiencing polysubstance withdrawal, and withdrawal symptoms associated with other substances, particularly alcohol and sedatives, can be life-threatening or cause other potentially dangerous medical complications.3 Medical detox can make the withdrawal process significantly safer and more comfortable.6
In medical detox, patients are supervised and monitored by medical staff who can treat and respond to potential emergencies. There are currently no FDA-approved medications for treating stimulant withdrawal or dependence, but medication may be a part of supportive care or used to reduce the severity of certain symptoms.3, 6
Addiction treatment is highly individualized, and the appropriate setting and length of time for rehabilitation treatment varies depending on someones specific needs.7 Oxford Treatment Center in Mississippi offers the following levels of care:
- Medical detox.
Stages Of Recovery From Meth Addiction
Drug rehab professionals have defined five stages of recovery from meth addiction. These start on day one and run through and beyond the six-month mark in a persons recovery. These are the five stages of recovery from meth addiction:
- Withdrawal Stage: This runs from day one through the first two weeks. This process is the timeframe when someone would participate in a drug detox program.
- Honeymoon Stage: Once withdrawal symptoms have ended, a sense of optimism can be felt, but drug rehab is still needed to ensure setbacks and relapses do not occur.
- The Wall: On days 46 through 120, individuals may need to increase their counseling sessions as cravings may reappear and relapses can occur. This can be due to emotional side effects of no longer using kicking in.
- Adjustment Stage: During these months, meth addiction sufferers are beginning to adjust to their new lifestyle. Relapses are less likely as long as recovering addicts stick to what they have learned during rehab therapy sessions.
- Adjustment Stage: Once recovering addicts have reached the six-month mark, they typically understand what they need to do to stay sober as they embrace their new, healthy lifestyle.
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Finding The Right Meth Treatment
Trying to quit meth by yourself may seem like the easy option, but its difficult to achieve long-term success without professional support. The Recovery Village at Baptist Health has a strong record of helping those with meth addiction achieve and maintain long-term sobriety. Our caring representatives are here to make the admission process as easy as possible. Contact us today to learn how to get started on the road to your recovery.
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