It’s important to remember that ongoing drug use changes the brain’s structure and chemistry. This makes it more and more difficult to simply stop taking the drug. Methamphetamine is an addictive drug that has energizing (stimulant) effects. As a powder, it can be snorted or dissolved in water and injected. CBT is particularly effective because it helps individuals identify and change harmful thought patterns and behaviors that drive meth use.
Behavioral Symptoms of Meth Addiction
This means that it carries a high risk of causing people to become dependent on using methamphetamine or having a substance use disorder. When a person takes meth, the brain releases a very high amount of the “feel-good” chemical called dopamine, which makes the person feel really excited and euphoric at first. However, over time, the brain gets used to these high amounts of dopamine and starts needing more and meth addiction more meth just to feel normal or to avoid withdrawal symptoms like nausea, headache, and fever. This makes it especially hard to stop using meth, even when a person wants to quit (NIDA, n.d.-b; Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration SAMHSA, n.d.-b). Our team is comprised of doctors, clinicians, therapists, mentors, and recovery coaches with decades of experience in the field.
Health risks
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), methamphetamine-related overdose deaths have increased by 180% between 2015 and 2019 in the United States, emphasizing the growing danger of this drug. This program is ideal for individuals with strong support systems and mild to moderate addiction severity. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), IOP participants report a 60% success rate in achieving sustained recovery when paired with consistent aftercare support. This approach is effective because it addresses both the physical dependency and the psychological triggers of addiction, increasing the likelihood of long-term recovery. Meth users also share injection equipment, significantly increasing their risk of HIV and hepatitis infections.
Getting Your Loved One Into Treatment
This trend shows the growing prevalence of meth addiction both within North Carolina and across the country. Many people starting recovery from meth addiction have experienced trauma before or during their active addiction. Your care team works with you to create Halfway house a personalized treatment plan, as there’s no one-size-fits-all recovery. Choosing the right level of care depends on the severity of your addiction, your personal circumstances and the support systems you have available at home and in your social circle.
If indicated, treatment with medications for opioid use disorder should be recommended. At American Addiction Centers, we provide personalized care and support every step of the way. Our nationwide network of drug and alcohol rehab centers offers a variety of treatment options to meet your individual needs. Our admissions navigators can help you find the right program, verify your insurance, and begin your journey to lasting sobriety.
- Meth users also share injection equipment, significantly increasing their risk of HIV and hepatitis infections.
- The euphoria you experience when using meth may last only a few minutes.
- It’s usually smoked, which sends it to the brain almost instantly.
- Crystal meth is a powerful stimulant drug that can cause feelings of euphoria and high energy.
- This allows the drug to be present in the brain longer, extending the stimulant effects.
- At Carolina Center for Recovery and affiliates, we aim to provide readers with the most accurate and updated healthcare information possible.
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for methamphetamine addiction involves using medications like bupropion, mirtazapine, and modafinil to manage dependency and withdrawal symptoms.
- Those who engage in this drug-taking cycle may be at increased risk of developing meth or crystal meth addiction(3,4).
There are some tell-tale signs of meth addiction that you may be able to spot right away or which may become more prevalent as time goes on. There are many short-term and long-term effects of using crystal meth. Some of these effects will naturally subside on their own within a few hours while others could take days or more to go away even after the last dose of crystal meth was administered. In most cases, abstinence from meth abuse for at least two years can lead to the reversal of many of the negative physical signs of methamphetamine abuse but not all. Motor function and verbal memory will typically repair to some extent after two years of meth abstinence, but some other neurological aspects of prolonged use may not repair themselves even with time.
Effects and Risks of Methamphetamine Use
While treatment helps individuals achieve and maintain sobriety, relapse prevention strategies, coping mechanisms, and family support are essential to sustaining long-term recovery. This approach acknowledges addiction as a lifelong challenge but emphasizes that a fulfilling, drug-free life is achievable with the right tools and commitment. No, methamphetamine addiction cannot be cured in the traditional sense, but it can be effectively managed through comprehensive treatment and ongoing support. Addiction is a chronic condition, and recovery is a continuing process that requires consistent effort, behavioral therapy, and strong support systems. Alternative therapies and support groups provide complementary approaches to traditional methamphetamine addiction treatments, focusing on holistic well-being and community-based recovery.
Stimulants
- This effect is also referred to as a “speedball” and is extremely dangerous.
- Utilizing professional treatments can significantly improve success rates for people with MUD.
- While it’s difficult, keep in mind that it’s also the first sign of healing.
- It’s a great idea to attend therapy regularly throughout this time to help you process your emotions and implement coping strategies.
Your withdrawal symptoms will be strongest during the first 24 hours or so and typically last about 7-10 days. You can have physical and psychological symptoms when you stop using meth. How you’ll feel off the drug depends largely on how often you use it and at what doses. A national survey on people aged 12 or older shows that 0.6% of the U.S. population, or about 1.6 million people, may have a methamphetamine use disorder.
Snorting meth delivers the drug through nasal passages, resulting in a slower but longer-lasting effect. Injecting methamphetamine directly into the bloodstream produces a rapid and intense high but greatly increases the risk of severe health complications. Methamphetamine is highly addictive due to its ability to release excessive dopamine, creating intense euphoria and reinforcing usage.
