Meth addiction often takes over the whole life of a person, drastically impairing their personality, perception, and quality of life. If you’ve seen what meth addiction can do to a loved one behind closed doors, you understand why comprehensive meth addiction treatment is so essential.
Read on to understand what methamphetamine is, how it affects communities in the US, and effective treatment options for long-term recovery.
Understanding Methamphetamine Use Disorder
According to data from 2019, nearly 13 million Americans have struggled with methamphetamine (Meth) abuse. Its low cost and easy accessibility make it an ideal drug of choice for many low-income Americans who struggle with addiction.
Methamphetamine use disorder (MUD) is a chronic, relapsing condition characterized by compulsive meth use despite its negative consequences. In the DSM-5, it is classified as a stimulant use disorder, along with other stimulant drugs such as cocaine or Adderall [1].
Meth increases activity in the central nervous system, known for causing alertness, increased energy, and intense euphoria. Over time, chronic meth use is associated with several harmful effects such as dental decay, mood swings, depression, anxiety, drug-induced psychosis, and is even linked to increased violent behavior.
Meth Use and Rural America
Meth use is disproportionately high in low income, rural, Mid-Western states. Many communities in states such as Indiana, Michigan, West Virginia, Missouri, and Kentucky have been hit the hardest by methamphetamine manufacturing, distribution, and use [2].
This is due to a combination of economic challenges and poverty, geographical and social isolation, and limited access to healthcare resources.
- Economic Decline: Many of the rural counties in the states listed were once agricultural, mining, or manufacturing towns that now suffer from high unemployment and low wages. There is often a sense of hopelessness for moving up in life. Many of these counties have also been hit incredibly hard by the opioid epidemic.
- Increased Performance: Individuals working long hours for low pay, especially in physically demanding jobs, may use meth to improve productivity or simply stay awake until the end of their shift.
- Boredom: A lack of recreational activities and social spaces in rural towns leads to isolation and boredom, especially among youth, who may abuse meth to feel a sense of excitement.
- Local Low-Cost Production: Meth is manufactured locally using quickly available household chemicals. This makes it easy to make and distribute in isolated areas.
What is Meth?
Methamphetamine, more commonly known as meth, is a highly potent and addictive stimulant.
In 1893, Japanese chemist Nagayoshi Nagai first synthesized methamphetamine from the ephedra plant. About 20 years later, another Japanese chemist developed “methamphetamine hydrochloride”, the form commonly still found today. By World War 2 soldiers were commonly issued meth to stay awake and alert. It later became a medication for conditions such as ADHD, but is now highly restricted due to its high risk of addiction.
Today, most meth purchased on the street is produced illegally in homemade labs and is often cut with inexpensive, dangerous, household chemicals. The production process is also dangerous, and explosions are common in these meth labs, resulting in the release of toxic gases such as red phosphorus and phosphine.
5 Unknown Facts About Meth
Meth is one of the most psychologically destructive drugs. It also has a dark history. Here are five uncommon facts about meth that highlight its history and powerful effects[3]:
- Meth-induced psychosis can last for years. Even after stopping use, it’s common for chronic meth users to experience ongoing paranoia, delusions, and hallucinations.
- It can cause hallucinations of bugs crawling under the skin, known as “formication”. This can lead to obsessive scratching, causing open sores, scabs, and infections.
- According to the National Institute of Justice, up to 70% of property crimes in some US counties are linked to meth use or trafficking of meth.
- Meth is strongly associated with sexual crimes including assault, exploitation, and human trafficking as users under the influence of meth are more likely to engage in or be victims of non-consexual sex.
- Meth fueled Nazi and Allied soldiers during World War 2 with a meth pill known as “Pervitin”. And Japanese Kamikaze pilots took meth before suicide missions, giving them a sense of unrealistic courage before turning into a human missile.
The Danger of Meth Withdrawal Symptoms
Meth addiction can cause severe, distressing psychological symptoms that can make it hard to complete the withdrawal process without professional intervention. Withdrawal symptoms can affect both physical and mental health. They include:
Physical Symptoms
- Extreme fatigue
- Increased appetite
- Insomnia (inability to sleep) or hypersomnia (oversleeping)
- Headaches, muscle aches, and body pain
- Nausea, sweating, abdominal cramping
- Shaking or tremors
Psychological Symptoms
- Severe depression
- Anxiety, agitation, irritability
- Intense drug cravings
- Paranoia, delusions, hallucinations
- Trouble concentrating
- Memory loss or confusion
- Mood instability
- Apathy and lack of motivation
Choosing A Program That Knows How To Treat Methamphetamine Addiction
It’s important to choose an addiction treatment program that specializes in meth use, as the counselors understand the unique symptoms and recovery needs of those in meth recovery. Programs should offer a continuum of care from start (detox) to finish (aftercare) and include a combination of:
- Substance abuse counseling
- Evidence-based mental health therapies
- Group therapy and peer support
- Skill-building workshops
- Family involvement
- Holistic activities
What To Expect from Medically Supervised Detox
Supervised detox programs ensure patients withdrawing from meth are stable, comfortable, and able to complete the entire process. The most intense withdrawal symptoms usually last a week or so, but it’s common for psychological symptoms to linger much longer. The presence of other drugs, co-occurring conditions, or individual biological factors such as metabolism can also complicate the detox timeline.
Some things you can expect during detox include:
- Symptom monitoring
- Medical evaluation
- Medication support
- Nutritional care
- Transitional support to inpatient care after detox
Life After Meth: Preventing Relapse and Staying On Your Plan
After detox, the real healing work takes place, and the road to long-term recovery begins. It often takes months and even years for the brain to truly recover from meth abuse. Symptoms such as mild paranoia or delusions, anxiety, and depression may continue for years after stopping use.
It’s common for meth users to struggle from co-occurring mental health problems, requiring a comprehensive approach to care.
Evidence-Based Therapies
Evidence-based mental health therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) help patients reframe negative thoughts and regulate distressing emotions that drive substance use. They also emphasize coping skills to prevent relapse and improve functioning.
Group Therapy
Group therapy helps those in recovery foster a sense of belonging, purpose, and community. It can reduce feelings of isolation that often contribute to addiction. Patients in recovery from meth abuse often have horrifying stories of trauma during active meth addiction that others in recovery can relate to, validate, and support.
Holistic Activities and Physical Recreation
Meth use is linked closely to malnutrition and nutrient deficiencies. Holistic activities support patients in making positive lifestyle changes that address all aspects of addiction. Physical recreation can help those in recovery build physical strength, regain regular activity levels, and improve overall mental well-being. Some common activities in meth addiction treatment may include:
- Art, music, dance
- Yoga
- Massage
- Mindfulness and meditation
- Strength training
- Fitness classes
Luxury Detox and Residential Treatment for Meth Addiction in Michigan
Our team of clinical experts at Rushton Recovery is trained in treating both substance abuse and co-occurring mental health disorders. We combine behavioral therapies, peer support, medication assistance, and lifestyle regimens to help those in recovery from methamphetamine addiction. Treatment plans can be personalized to address the unique needs of each individual, resulting in a more comprehensive healing experience.
Reach out to our Admissions team now.
Sources
[1] Stewart, J. L. (2020). Neurobiology, Clinical Presentation, and Treatment of Methamphetamine Use Disorder: A Review. JAMA psychiatry, 77(9), 959–966.
[2] Robinson, E. 2022. Meth use drives overdose epidemic in rural U.S. communities. OHSU.
[3] Salani, D. et al.2020. Back With a Vengeance: The Reappearance of Methamphetamine and Its Implications for Health Care Providers. Journal of Nurse Practitioners.
