Dallas Texas Meth Rehab

Meth Addiction

Methamphetamines are a versatile, illegal stimulant that can be smoked, snorted, or injected. Because meth is fairly easy to produce in makeshift 'meth labs,' methamphetamines have become increasingly prominent across 'small town' America.

The proliferation of meth use across America rivals that of the opioid epidemic. A study conducted in 2017 by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) reported that 1.6 million people used methamphetamine in the past year.

Meth wreaks havoc on addicted individuals and in the communities that they reside in. Habitual use of meth can cause paranoia, psychotic behavior, aggression, and poor judgment. All of these factors can contribute to a meth addict turning to crime and violence.

Like many other highly addictive drugs, methamphetamines signal a user's brain to release large quantities of dopamine. Dopamine is a brain chemical, or neurotransmitter, that creates a feeling of pleasure and joy. This feeling is used by the brain as a reward system for performing activities that keep a person alive. Usually, things like exercise, eating good foods or having sex cause dopamine to be released in the brain.

Chronic use of methamphetamines subverts this natural process and links this natural reward system with meth. Once a user becomes dependent on meth, their brain will equate meth use with its own survival.

As a meth user becomes dependent on the drug they will need more and more of it to achieve the desired effect. A person who is addicted to methamphetamines will experience diminishing returns as they develop a tolerance to the drug.

In many cases, a person will become so accustomed to the large dopamine dumps caused by meth that they will be unable to experience joy or pleasure from everyday activities. Prolonged use of methamphetamines can cause damage to a person's brain and the dopamine receptors themselves. Long-term use of meth can cause severe psychological and emotional issues for an addict.

Some of these issues include:

• Memory Loss
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Delusions
• Confusion
• Paranoia
• Insomnia
• Inconsistent Mood
• Hallucinations

Meth Detox

People who use meth will be familiar with 'coming down' from the drug. This crash after an intense meth high can last for a few days. For most meth users, this crash involves an excessive need for sleep, increased appetite, feelings of irritability and anxiety.

After this initial crash, a meth addict who has developed a dependency on the drug will experience more intense symptoms of withdrawal. These symptoms usually begin around two days after the last use and end about a week later.

The symptoms of meth withdrawal will vary depending on the level of addiction and the unique physiology of the user, but most common withdrawal symptoms include:

• Sweating
• Insomnia
• Anxiety
• Stomach Pain
• Nausea
• General Fatigue
• Confusion
• Dehydration
• Fever
• Hallucinations
• Shakiness
• Depression
• Paranoia
• Psychosis
• Body Aches

A medically supervised detox from methamphetamines is advised. Even if a person does not encounter any medical complications during a detox, they may be tempted to relapse. If a person who is detoxing from meth is in an environment where methamphetamines are available they may use the drug to ease their symptoms.

Conversely, during a medical detox program, an experienced physician may administer medications to make the patient more comfortable and reduce these symptoms without the fear of continued addiction.

Meth Addiction Recovery

Getting over the symptoms of withdrawal from methamphetamines is just the beginning of the recovery process. Once someone decides that they have a problem with meth and chooses to get help they will typically enter into an addiction treatment program. Because methamphetamines have a profound effect on a person's physical and emotional functionality, recovering from meth takes some work. But recovery is possible with the right tools.

A combination of medication, psychotherapy (like cognitive behavioral therapy), and support groups have proven to be the best prescription for a substance abuse disorder. During treatment for meth addiction, clinicians can identify any co-occurring disorders (like depression or anxiety) that the patient may be suffering from.

Once a thorough examination of the patient is performed an individualized treatment program can be developed. A team of counselors can help the addicted individual to address the root causes of their addiction and teach them techniques to overcome the triggers that lead them to use drugs.

Meth Addiction Treatment Options

Once you realize that you or a loved one needs help with a drug problem, the question of how to proceed can be confusing. There are multiple levels of care available for people looking to treat their methamphetamine addiction.

Which type of program you choose depends upon the addict's level of drug intake, what other drugs they use, how long they've been using drugs. Their mental status, personality, and schedule of availability should also be taken into account. When making these decisions, it is crucial to consult a knowledgeable substance abuse counselor.

We offer programs such as:

• Inpatient Rehab 

• Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)

• Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

At our Dallas Texas addiction treatment center, our addiction specialists are available to help you make tough decisions. Please contact Riverwalk Ranch today to speak with one of our staff members and specialists. They will go over the different options available to you.

Let us help you choose the treatment options that are right for you or your loved one.