Crystal Meth Addiction
Why Crystal Meth Addiction is So Dangerous
A few years ago, crystal meth addiction was recorded to be concentrated on female users with below average income. Recently, the addiction has seemed to have spread to a wider spectrum of meth users. Crystal meth addiction is a very serious problem because even the smallest dosage of this street drug can be highly addictive. There's also no standardized method of "cooking" crystal meth, so it's extremely hard to treat.
Prolonged usage of the substance can lead to permanent brain damage, while severe addiction can cause heart ailments, temporary psychosis, anorexia and an uncontrollable longing to scratch one's skin. Severe addiction is also marked by paranoia, sleeplessness which can last for days, loss of appetite, agitation and uncontrolled aggressiveness. If you suspect a loved one to be suffering from crystal meth addiction, you should call a rehab center for help immediately.
This street drug can cause serious behavioral changes which may sometimes lead to violence. Someone who's suffering from crystal meth addiction may end up either hurting him or herself or other persons in the room because of paranoia and hallucinations. Methamphetamine was initially used as a decongestant and as medication against obesity. Latter years of study revealed that the drug can be highly addictive and not just because of its weight loss properties, which are only temporary. Those who are suffering from crystal meth addiction, including those who have used only once, experience a craving for the drug which leads to increased usage.
The weight loss effect of the drug only lasts up to 6 weeks. Once the effect diminishes, the user eventually gains much of the weight back. Still, women who are pressured by society to get thinner suffer from crystal meth addiction. Among the addicted individuals recorded were also athletes who wished to perform better on the field, and even high school children who wanted to stay alert for school.
What people suffering from crystal meth addiction may not know is that the negative long term and permanent effects of the street drug far outnumber its promises. The weight loss and the "high" it triggers are temporary, but the damage it does to the human body lasts for a long time. The changes it makes to the brain are permanent (brain cells can't regenerate anymore) so hallucinations can occur throughout the individual's life unless the meth addiction is treated during its early stages.
Recovery from "speed" or meth addiction is a long and difficult journey. First, an addicted individual will be taken to a rehab center for detoxification. Withdrawal symptoms are typically tolerable, but still a difficult and necessary part of the recovery process. Once the body is cleansed, the individual will have to participate in counseling. In-patient programs for meth addiction are longer compared to other drugs because this type of substance abuse is far more complicated, partly due to the non-standardized method of making it.
Even if you survive your meth use once and it gives you nothing more than a "buzz", your next dosage can possibly kill you. It's certainly no laughing matter, so if you're still lucid enough to turn yourself in for addiction, you should. If you suspect that your loved one is using crystal meth too, whether or not s/he is already showing signs of dependence, you should also seek professional help so that the problem can be nipped in the bud.
Choosing a Facility
Questions to Ask When Choosing a Facility for Crystal Meth Addiction Treatment
If this is your first time seeking crystal meth addiction treatment for yourself or a loved one, it would be helpful to know which questions to ask when searching for possible programs. RecoveryNowTV.com will guide you in making the most appropriate decision based on your individual needs.
When researching crystal meth addiction treatment programs, consider the questions below to help guide you to making the most appropriate decision for treatment:
- Will the facility work with your health insurance company? If you have health insurance, please click here or scroll to the bottom of the page to access the complete Insurance Guidance Information page.
- Where is the facility located? Oftentimes facilities will urge you to travel out of your area to receive treatment. Consider the list of pros and cons below for traveling out of the area for treatment.
Treatment out of the area-
- PRO- Getting out of the area for crystal meth addiction treatment will help an alcoholic or addict to focus on themselves rather than their familiar surroundings.
- PRO- Going out of the area for crystal meth addiction treatment creates a mindset where a client is taking a journey for their recovery.
- PRO- If the going gets tough in treatment, a distance between the home and the treatment facility might affect a person's decision to not give up and to stay in treatment.
- CON- Going to a crystal meth addiction treatment program out of the area puts distance between you and your loved ones. Most treatment programs offer a family component and a long distance could make it difficult for supportive family and friends to participate in the treatment program.
- CON- Going to a crystal meth addiction treatment program out of the area might make it difficult to return to the home environment. If you choose to go out of the area for treatment, it is crucial to make sure that the treatment facility has a discharge planning process which includes assistance in finding outpatient and Twelve Step Support systems for when you return home.
- What governing body is the treatment facility licensed through? All crystal meth addiction treatment programs providing therapeutic services and treatment planning, must be licensed by a State governing body. If one of the facilities that you are considering is NOT part of the RecoveryNowTV network, then you will need to make sure that the facility is licensed through the state.
- Is the facility accredited? If so, what is the accreditation agency governing the facility? Accreditation is a true sign of a quality and safety assurance plan for a facility. While accreditation is not mandatory for a facility, it does provide a higher level of standards for a facility to adhere to. The two major accrediting bodies are The Joint Commission (JCAHO) and Commission on Accreditation of Crystal meth addiction treatment Facilities (CARF). Both accrediting organizations ensure that the facility actively participates in rigorous quality and safety improvement protocols.
- What does a typical day entail? Ask the crystal meth addiction treatment facility go through the daily schedule and feel free to ask questions of each item on the schedule. This will give you an understanding of all of the services offered. This will allow you to take full advantage of the treatment protocols being offered.
- What is the price of the treatment? Are there additional costs over and above the stated cost? Is there a daily rate? Is there an early termination policy?
- Is there an extended care program? When searching for a crystal meth addiction treatment facility, if time and your schedule permits, it is recommended that you enter an extended care program or a structured sober living environment. This will ensure that the re-entry back into daily living is a safe transition. Many programs offer a step-down or sober living program which includes mandatory Twelve Step participation, curfews, and drug testing.
- Is there a program in place for relapse? It is important to know if the crystal meth addiction treatment program will support you during a relapse. Many programs have relapse prevention or a refresher course in case of a relapse. Although many people do not want to consider readmitting to a treatment facility, it is important to know that your treatment program will support you if you have a relapse.
