Methamphetamine addiction is a physical dependence on the stimulant drug. Using methamphetamine, more commonly referred to as meth, can lead to addiction, which in turn may cause serious harm including long-term health problems, mental illness, and potentially even death from an overdose. Meth addiction can be treated with residential treatment, ongoing behavioral therapies, and access to a strong support network, although there is no medication currently approved to treat this addiction.
Methamphetamine addiction is a brain disorder and a chronic condition in which a person cannot stop using the drug methamphetamine, or meth. Meth is a stimulant and a very addictive substance. When misused regularly it is possible for someone to become physically dependent on it. This means that the person is unable to control how much and how often they use it, they develop a tolerance to it, and they experience withdrawal if they try to stop using it.
As with other types of addiction, meth addiction can be very dangerous. It can cause long-lasting mental and physical health problems, and can even be fatal. It is also a treatable and manageable condition. With a commitment to a complete program of behavioral therapy and proven treatments, someone living with this addiction can make positive changes and get their life back.
Facts and Statistics About Meth
Methamphetamine is a highly addictive stimulant drug. A stimulant causes an increase in activity in the central nervous system resulting in greater alertness, higher blood pressure, a faster heart rate, and rapid breathing. While there are medical reasons to use stimulants, these are also drugs that are commonly misused, often to stay awake and be more alert or to get “a high.”
According to research, behavioral therapies and residential treatment are the most effective treatments for meth addiction. People with other types of addictions may benefit from medications, but there is no approved drug to treat meth addiction. Cognitive behavioral therapy, contingency management, and motivational incentives have all been proven to help people recover from meth addiction and minimize relapses.
Behavioral therapies include using one-on-one therapy, family therapy, 12-step programs, and support in other areas of a person’s life, such as getting job skills and work, managing relationships, and finding affordable housing. Contingency management and incentives may also be used. This involves offering the patient incentives, like cash, to stay in treatment and to abstain from using methamphetamine or other substances.
Initial treatment is not necessarily the hard part of overcoming meth addiction. Where many people who have misused drugs like meth struggle is in avoiding relapse. A good treatment program should include strategies for minimizing or preventing relapses in the future. There are many ways in which a person can reduce the risk of having a relapse, including:
Meth addiction is difficult to overcome, and the reality is that most people who struggle with any type of addiction will have a relapse at some point. In fact, relapse rates are similar to those seen in chronic physical conditions like diabetes. This means that, like those illnesses, addiction can be managed. If it is considered to be a chronic, lifelong condition, meth addiction can be managed with long-term treatment. The prognosis for those who have this outlook and who commit to ongoing treatment and self-care is good.
Signs that someone is addicted to meth are not the same as the symptoms of abusing the drug. Signs of actual addiction include cravings for more meth, being unable to limit the use of meth, needing to use more and more in order to get the same high or sense of euphoria, and experiencing withdrawal when not using. These are the characteristic signs of addiction to any substance, but there are also specific signs of meth use and addiction:
At Alta Mira, we provide world-class clinical care and an exclusive addiction treatment experience. When you select Alta Mira as the location for some of the most important work of your life, we promise you the best treatment experience we can possibly create. Every member of our team will go above and beyond, providing you with every comfort and convenience to complement our high-quality treatment programs.
Our team members are not only chosen for their excellent credentials and experience, but they must also be committed to providing you with compassionate care in a kind and nurturing environment. We understand that in order for drug treatment to be successful, we must listen closely and truly understand your needs, aspirations, personal history, and treatment goals. All members of our care team align closely with you so that you feel safe, respected, and ready to do your work. We’re here to help.
In a gorgeous setting overlooking the San Francisco Bay, we have cultivated a serene environment where you feel supported in your journey to fulfill your highest potential. With extraordinary gardens and comfortably elegant living spaces, you will experience a peaceful, luxury drug treatment setting that facilitates personal healing and transformation.
Our exceptional holistic practitioners–including massage therapists, yoga instructors, art and music therapists, and acupuncturists—provide nurturing services that reinvigorate you, allowing you to get the most out of your time with us.
The cause of meth addiction is meth misuse. Anyone who misuses methamphetamine is at risk for becoming addicted. While meth has a high potential for causing addiction, it is not instantly addictive, and it will not necessarily cause addiction in every person who uses it. The more often it is used and the larger the doses, the more likely a person is to develop an addiction. Some people may have more risk factors for addiction to meth or any other drug that go beyond abusing the drug regularly:
On a chemical and biological level, what causes meth addiction is not fully understood. Studies of the effects of meth on the brain show that the drug causes changes in the structure and functioning of the brain; these changes could play a role in developing addiction. Imaging studies show that meth causes changes to the dopamine system, the chemical messaging system in the brain related to pleasure and rewards. It also causes changes to parts of the brain that are related to memory and emotions.
Meth addiction can be a difficult condition to overcome. But with treatment, support, and a strong relapse prevention plan, individual outcomes and quality of life can be improved. Alta Mira’s evidence-based meth addiction treatments, including supervised detox, residential care, and therapy, offer the intensity and duration necessary to go beyond stabilization to achieve lasting recovery.
For someone in the depths of meth addiction, recovery can feel like an unattainable goal. But it’s important to know that no matter how many times an addict has tried and failed, or how long they’ve been struggling with methamphetamines, recovery is possible. It’s never too late to get treatment.
When clients first walk through our doors at Alta Mira, many are unaware they may have an untreated mental health issue that is contributing to their struggle with opioid addiction. Treating the symptoms of the addiction alone may not lead to lasting recovery if the co-occurring disorder remains unrecognized and untreated. Our approach provides for the most accurate diagnosis possible, enabling our team to customize an effective treatment plan to fit your unique needs and goals, providing a pathway to a more authentic, productive, and healthy life.
Residential treatment for meth addiction is most effective because it allows an individual to focus on treatment for an extended period of time while learning the necessary skills for returning home and avoiding a relapse. Our meth addiction program is tailored to each individual and typically includes:
Relapse prevention is an important part of treatment and includes learning what triggers methamphetamine use, how to avoid triggers, lifestyle changes, and learning and using healthy coping strategies.
How to Help a Loved One Get Treatment for Meth Addiction
Addiction is not a choice nor a sign of weakness. It is a condition of the brain that can respond to targeted treatment. When your loved one comes to Alta Mira, they will finally have a chance to be free from the debilitating effects of addiction.
While you can have an influence on your loved one’s decision to seek treatment, an individual struggling with meth addiction must take ultimate responsibility for their own recovery. Your support and encouragement may be what will finally convince them to seek help for their addiction to meth.
If you feel your loved one is in need of an intervention, our admissions team can work with you to help find the right interventionist to fit your family’s needs.
During your stay at Alta Mira, you’ll have an individualized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. This will include comprehensive services for any co-occurring conditions that might be complicating or supporting your meth addiction.
Treatment at Alta Mira begins with private, medically supervised detox. During this time, our detox specialists will keep you safe and secure, monitored 24/7, as you rest in the privacy of your own room. You can also expect:
We believe individuals are best able to focus on their recovery when immersed in a secure, serene, healing setting. That’s why we provide comfortable surroundings while maintaining the most advanced and sophisticated meth rehab program in Northern California. Clients can expect compassionate care from our best-in-class meth addiction specialists.
Seeking a helping hand to guide you through these difficult times is not an easy decision. Our caring and experienced team at Alta Mira can help guide you through the next steps toward achieving lasting recovery.
Don’t let meth addiction destroy your life. To begin your life-changing transformation, contact us today.
Meth users not only run the risk of becoming addicted and suffering from both short- and long-term health problems, they are also at risk of overdosing. An overdose is a toxic amount that may kill the user if not treated immediately. Signs of an overdose may include:
An overdose is a medical emergency. Any observed signs should result in a call for emergency assistance. Treatment for a meth overdose may include using activated charcoal or laxatives to get the substance out of the body or neutralize it. Other treatments may depend on the symptoms the patient is experiencing: breathing support, IV fluids, restoring blood flow to the brain or heart, or treatments for damaged organs.
When someone is addicted to a mind-altering substance like methamphetamine, stopping use of the drug causes side effects that may be uncomfortable, painful, or even dangerous. This is called withdrawal. In order to recover from meth addiction, it is necessary to first get the drug out of the body. The process of doing that is called detoxification or detox. During the detox period, a person will experience withdrawal. Withdrawal is a major cause of relapse with any type of addiction.
Some of the symptoms of withdrawal that someone addicted to meth may experience include paranoia, itchy eyes, apathy, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, increased appetite, and decreased sex drive. Studies have also found that people detoxing from meth may have symptoms of depression and intense cravings for methamphetamine.
“When I came to Alta Mira, I was broken, people described me as fragile and silent. At the end of treatment I have found my self-confidence and my voice, in a way I never could have imagined for myself. I truly believe this place is magical, I could never have done this alone.”
