Timely Meth Addiction Treatment Is Key to Success

Meth addiction treatment is called for as soon as a user detects withdrawal symptoms. Timely treatment is necessary because crystal methamphetamine takes hold and progresses to devastating consequences quickly.  Once meth use stops look for lethargy, excessive sleeping, increased appetite, profound anxiety and depression, and severe lack of focus, and seek help before the drug takes over completely.

A crystal meth high starts immediately on ingestion and can last up to 24 hours. The drug can be injected, snorted or smoked, and it remains in the body longer than most stimulants. Because crystal meth floods the brain with dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure, users are reluctant to stop using it. In the beginning and for a short period only, the drug helps the user to feel more alert, with more focus and higher energy. Because it’s an appetite suppressant, some believe they can use it temporarily to lose weight. Over time, the drug inhibits the natural production of dopamine so severely that depression and hopelessness set in, which the crystal meth user typically tries to remedy with continued use. In the long run, methamphetamine users can lose their teeth, break out in itching sores, and sometimes even hallucinate. Severe paranoia may also set in.

Crystal Meth Treatment Requires a Full Range of Services

Because withdrawal can be brutal, crystal meth treatment will likely call for professional detoxification as a first step. Detox may require the use of prescription drugs that will ease the intensity of meth withdrawal, and staff should be available around the clock to monitor symptoms and comfort levels. A thorough medical evaluation will help determine whether detox is necessary and what steps to take from there.

Users and their loved ones should seek a treatment center with professionals trained specifically in treatment for meth addiction, as it will differ from heroin addiction treatment, cocaine addiction treatment, or treatment of other commonly used drugs. While the drug experience contains many common elements among users, it’s important that those caring for addicted individuals understand an individual’s specific drug to engender confidence in the recovery process and a sense of safety in the recovering user.

Residential rehab, where individuals can take the time needed for recovery is a good option in treatment for meth addiction. Here, individuals let go of the old routines associated with their addictive behavior and develop new disciplines and routines to support long-term recovery. Finding a treatment center with a good recovery culture and solid group participation that will help the recovering individual with communication skills, identification of emotional reactions, and a feeling of belonging, is a critical element in the healing process and should be provided throughout the residential and post-treatment phases of recovery.

Meth Addiction Treatment in a Warm, Professional Environment

A full range of therapies and levels of care are available at Anaheim Lighthouse for meth addiction treatment. We can take users through meth detox; we offer a warm and healing environment for residential rehab; and post-treatment services are also available to support our clients after they leave our direct care. Our approach is holistic, which means we help our clients with physical, emotional and spiritual healing through a wide variety of therapies and experiences, including a robust group therapy component, which supplements the individual therapy they receive. We emphasize diet and exercise as one component of meth addiction treatment and include them in our integrated treatment plans, as well as family counseling when appropriate.

The overall disease of addiction, including alcohol addiction treatment, is addressed at Anaheim Lighthouse in a caring and professional environment. We are experienced in dealing with a variety of drugs, and in addition to meth addiction treatment, we provide marijuana addiction treatment, benzodiazepine addiction treatment, and Xanax addiction treatment. We also provide opiate addiction treatment. Understanding the experience each user has in association with his or her specific drug is an important part of our overall approach to drug addiction treatment.

Get in touch with our Southern California drug and alcohol rehab directly. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, call us at (877) 959-5909.