Crystal Meth Addiction Treatment
Crystal meth, also known as methamphetamine, is a stimulant drug with a high risk of physical dependence.
The drug has no odour or colour. As a stimulant, it increases central nervous system activity, making a person feel euphoric, powerful, and alert.
Meth can also result in rapid weight loss, increased libido, and intense feelings of alertness and concentration.
Some people self-medicate to lose weight, improve sexual performance, reduce depression, or concentrate better at work or school.
However, as with most addictive substances, prolonged use causes the body to become tolerant of meth. Tolerance may cause a person to use more crystal meth to achieve the same high they previously obtained with a lower dose.
This can lead to addiction over time. They may experience painful withdrawal symptoms if they stop using them.
How does crystal meth affect the brain?
Crystal meth harms the structure and function of the brain. It impacts brain areas associated with emotion, memory and systems related to judgement. As a result, it has the potential to alter behaviours and emotions drastically.
This could explain why people who use crystal meth regularly frequently experience emotional and cognitive difficulties.
Some brain changes caused by excessive crystal meth use last long after the user has stopped using the drug. Other brain changes may reverse after long periods of abstinence.
Repeated use can have psychological consequences, such as:
- Anxiety, irritability
- Aggressive or violent behaviour
- Sleeplessness and hyperactivity
- Increased libido, energy, self-esteem, confidence, and sociability
- Delusions of grandeur accompanied by a sense of power and invincibility
- Paranoia and hallucinations
- Psychosomatic disorders
- Psychosis
What are the physical effects of crystal meth?
The drug also has physical side effects, such as:
These are some examples:
- Anorexia, loss of appetite
- Face sores
- Gum disease, cracked teeth
- Constipation or diarrhoea
- Dilated pupils
- Dizziness
- Skin and mouth dryness
- Hyperthermia
- High blood pressure
- Numbness
- Pallid skin
- Sweating, rapid breathing, agitation, twitching, tremors
- Irregular heartbeat, palpitations
The use of the drug can result in lowered inhibitions and dangerous behaviours.
Chronic or excessive use can result in convulsions, stroke, and heart attack.
What are the withdrawal symptoms of crystal meth?
Crystal meth produces euphoria for up to 12 hours, and people crave its powerful effects repeatedly.
The same dose, however, no longer has the same effect after several uses. Drug tolerance occurs when a person requires more quantity of the drug to achieve the same effect.
After only a few uses of meth, a person can develop a substance use disorder. When attempting to break the cycle, a person will experience withdrawal symptoms.
Although the person’s blood will be free of the drug after 1-3 days, the psychological and physical symptoms may last longer.Like other drugs, this is because crystal meth alters the brain’s chemistry.
Among the withdrawal symptoms that a person may experience are the following:
- Anxiety and agitation
- Major depression
- Exhaustion
- Insomnia
- Psychosis
- Emotional turmoil a
- Intense cravings
What is the treatment for meth addiction?
Treatment comprises of:
- Coping with physical withdrawal symptoms under medical supervision
- Assisting a person in addressing the underlying issues that led to the harmful use of crystal meth and cultivating healthier coping skills
- Drug rehabilitation programmes can help people get through the withdrawal process, allowing them to achieve their crystal meth-related goals in a safe setting.
A holistic model incorporating cognitive behavioural therapy, lifestyle modifications, family therapy, and 12-step facilitation is most effective.
Treatment is possible regardless of a person’s reason for using crystal meth or the length of time they have used it. People should seek help from a doctor or specialist specialising in substance abuse disorders.
Withdrawal Symptoms
Withdrawal symptoms begin to occur within 12 hours of last use and last for a period depending on the quantity, frequency, and duration of use; it will also depend on the individual’s physical health.
The usual symptoms include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Muscle pain
- sweating
- Sleeplessness
- Emotional instability
- Agitation and anxiety
- Cravings to use the drug
It is safer to be in rehab or a closed medical facility. Otherwise, the addict may give in to the cravings to relieve their withdrawal, which only delays recovery.