A Look at Meth Addiction

Methamphetamines are a member of the stimulant class of drugs and are highly addictive. This drug causes a state of euphoria by overloading the brain with Dopamine. Dopamine is the “feel-good hormone” that is associated with feeling rewarded and overall pleasure.

Meth addiction happens because the brain becomes desperate to continue feeling rewarded. Dopamine tolerance occurs, and the person must use more and more of the drug to get the same elated feeling. The addiction can take hold of a person fairly quickly, especially if they are using strong doses of meth.

Meth is sold in “rock” form. The drug has been cooked down to form crystalline rocks. The end-user then crushes the meth to snort it or smoke it. In some cases, they will liquefy the meth by heating it in a spoon until it is liquid and directly injecting it.

Signs of Meth Addiction

Meth addiction has many different signs, but one of the most common signs of meth addiction is rapid weight loss combined with erratic behaviors. People on meth can be elated, angry, hyperactive, or a combination of all these things. The amphetamines part of the drug eliminates hunger, and many people with a meth addiction can go for days without eating a thing.

People suffering from meth addiction will also have poor oral health because the drug causes gum disease and rapid tooth decay and will form sores on their skin that have difficulty healing. Many people suffering from meth addiction also suffer from many other health issues.

Overcoming Methamphetamine Addiction

It is easy to understand that a drug that holds this much power over someone will require the help of a luxury rehab center to break the addiction. Meth addictions often have mental, physical, and emotional issues that must be addressed to enter into recovery. Getting help through drug rehab is the best solution.

How long will detox take

The physical detox from meth can take two to three weeks. During this time, your body will experience deep cravings for the drug, you will feel depressed, you will have no energy at all, and you may even experience nausea and vomiting. All of this is your brain trying to trick you into using the drug so that it can be flooded with dopamine.

You will need to work closely with your substance abuse counselor to get through this rehab period, but you can achieve this goal. Physical detox is stressful. Once it is over, you can work with your counselor to build a new life.

While you are in rehab, you will also get the medical care that you need to become physically and mentally healthy again. This is one of the best parts of rehab because you can manage your recovery better when you feel better.

READ: A look at Morphine Addiction

Recovery and Beyond

Once you have moved past detox and have addressed all the other health issues, your focus will be on entering and staying in recovery. This is a learning process and is something that will take time to master.

You did not learn the alphabet in a day, you did not learn to drive a car in a day, and you should not demand that you enter recovery in a day. You want to learn everything that there is to know about overcoming addiction so that when you leave rehab, you will have the resources you need to stay sober.

Dedication

Staying in recovery takes dedication. Part of the rehabilitation process is learning and developing the skills you need to stay in recovery once you leave the program. It also means learning how to build the support system you need when you are on your own.

Most people that have overcome their addiction to meth will attend meetings and possibly therapy for a while when they leave rehab. This is a good thing. This is how you develop a support system and how you build a better life for yourself.

Overcoming any addiction can be challenging. However, it is not impossible. Dedication, support, and facing each day as a new chance to be sober will allow you to overcome cravings, keep out of situations where drug use may occur, and build a better future for yourself. Addiction is not the end of the world – it is just the start of your recovery.