Meth Rehab

METHAMPHETAMINE ADDICTION TREATMENT IN ARIZONA

Methamphetamine is a widespread problem in the United States, affecting countless communities both large and small. In 2005, Congress declared methamphetamine use an epidemic and sought to regulate ephedrine and pseudoephedrine — key ingredients in creating the drug — and enact harsher penalties for traffickers and producers.

Despite these efforts, methamphetamine use has continued to rise. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports that about 2.5 million people over the age of 12 have used meth in the last year, while methamphetamine-involved overdoses have nearly tripled since 2015.

Methamphetamine is a potent stimulant that floods the brain with dopamine, producing a rush of euphoria that is highly addictive. It’s easy to crave the pleasurable effects of methamphetamine, and over time, individuals may find they cannot function without it.

If you or someone you love is addicted to methamphetamine, help is available. With expert support and evidence-based treatment, it is possible to get sober and achieve lasting recovery, no matter how long or how heavily you’ve been affected by meth addiction.

WHAT IS METHAMPHETAMINE?

Methamphetamine belongs to a family of substances known as stimulants. It is a synthetic drug that is produced in clandestine labs using hazardous ingredients and often appears as a clear, white or blue crystalline powder that is most often smoked or injected, but it can also be snorted or swallowed. Street meth goes by a wide variety of nicknames, including:

• Ice
• Crystal
• Crank
• Speed
• Glass

Meth, like other stimulants, works by increasing activity in the central nervous system and releasing large amounts of dopamine, creating an intense and long-lasting high. After taking the drug, people experience effects like euphoria, heightened energy levels, a decreased need for food or sleep, talkativeness and feeling more focused, alert and confident.

However, methamphetamine use also causes harmful side effects, including:

• Racing heartbeat
• High blood pressure
• Paranoia
• Muscle tension
• Dry mouth
• Delusions
• Risky behaviors
• Increased aggression

After the pleasurable effects of methamphetamine wear off, individuals experience a “crash” or comedown, with symptoms that include extreme fatigue, hunger, irritability and anxiety. Many people continue taking the drug to avoid this comedown, resulting in a pattern of use that exacerbates its harmful effects and increases the likelihood of becoming addicted.

SIGNS OF METHAMPHETAMINE USE

The high from methamphetamine can last for up to 12 hours, and many people continue to ingest the drug to avoid an unpleasant comedown. However, consistent meth use has diminishing returns and often leads to a harmful cycle of abuse. Over time, methamphetamine causes damage to the brain and body, with long-term effects that may include:

• Unusual mood changes
• A confused or anxious mental state
• Paranoid thinking
• Mental delusions
• Unusually aggressive behavior
• Unusually violent behavior
• An inability to think clearly

Long-term users of the drug can also experience weight loss, malnutrition and scabs or marks on the skin from constant picking. In addition, they can develop severe dental issues known as “meth mouth,” which involves advanced tooth decay, broken teeth and tooth loss.

If you or someone you love is exhibiting these signs, it may indicate a serious problem with methamphetamine. At Emerald Isle Health & Recovery, we are fully equipped to address the short and long-term effects of meth use and help individuals stop the cycle of addiction.

CAN YOU OVERDOSE ON METH?

In the past, reports of acute methamphetamine overdose were uncommon. Taking too much of the drug is often characterized as “overamping” and leads to a variety of unpleasant side effects, but it is rarely fatal. However, a study supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has found that deaths involving methamphetamine have tripled in recent years as the drug becomes more potent and likely to be contaminated with adulterants like fentanyl.

Methamphetamine is hard on the body, and an overdose can cause serious problems. Some of the signs and symptoms of a meth overdose may include:

• A severe increase in your normal heart rate
• A severe increase in your normal blood pressure
• An irregular heartbeat
• An increased risk for stroke
• A psychotic mental state
• An agitated mental state
• Breathing difficulties
• Pain in your chest
• Sensory hallucinations
• Convulsions (i.e., seizures)

In the event of a suspected meth overdose, call 911 and stay with the individual until first responders arrive. Getting treatment as soon as possible can mean the difference between life and death and help you or a loved one avoid serious, long-lasting health complications.

METHAMPHETAMINE USE DISORDER

Methamphetamine use disorder (MUD) is a complex condition characterized by a compulsive need to use the drug despite the harm it causes. Methamphetamine releases a surge of dopamine and significantly alters the brain’s chemistry, affecting pathways associated with motivation and reward. With repeated use, individuals experience a diminished ability to derive pleasure from other things in life, including hobbies or activities they once enjoyed. Over time, they may start to rely on the drug to feel normal and avoid an unpleasant “crash.”

Methamphetamine addiction can develop quickly. Over time, higher doses are often needed to recapture the initial rush, increasing the risk of compulsive use and adverse physical or psychological effects. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), there are 11 signs that individuals with stimulant use disorder may exhibit:

1. Taking methamphetamine or other stimulants more often or in greater amounts than you planned
2. Not being able to quit using the drug, even though you want to
3. Spending a lot of time using, acquiring or recovering from the effects of methamphetamine or other stimulants
4. Feeling powerful urges or cravings to use methamphetamine
5. A pattern of drug use that causes you personal or professional problems
6. Continued stimulant use despite the problems it causes
7. Abandoning important areas of your life so you can use more meth
8. Taking meth while using machinery, driving or doing other risky things
9. Continuing to use meth even though you know it’s damaging you mentally or physically
10. Developing a rising tolerance to the effects of meth or other stimulants
11. Developing withdrawal symptoms if you stop using the drug or make rapid cuts in your intake

You don’t need to show all of these symptoms to get diagnosed with MUD. In fact, you only need to have two of them within the span of a year. If you have two or three symptoms, you have a mild form of MUD. If you have four or five symptoms, you have a moderate form of the condition. People with six or more symptoms have severe methamphetamine use disorder.

METHAMPHETAMINE TREATMENT AT EMERALD ISLE HEALTH & RECOVERY

At Emerald Isle Health & Recovery, we know that methamphetamine profoundly affects the mind and body, making it difficult to get sober on your own. We also understand that everyone’s experience with addiction is different — that’s why we provide highly individualized treatment programs geared toward each patient’s needs and lifestyle. Our multidisciplinary team works closely with individuals to develop a path to recovery that works for them.

PRIMARY ADDICTION TREATMENT

At Emerald Isle Health & Recovery, methamphetamine treatment is structured around a full continuum of care designed to accommodate the unique needs of our patients. We meet individuals where they’re at in their recovery with treatment options that include:

• Residential Treatment: Residential treatment provides patients with a highly structured environment where they receive 24/7 support and monitoring. It is ideal for those with severe meth addiction or co-occurring disorders and offers various therapeutic modalities to help individuals build a strong foundation for lasting recovery.
• Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP): PHPs act as a bridge between residential treatment and less intensive levels of care. It provides patients with ongoing therapy for at least 20 hours a week in a structured but more flexible environment.
• Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): IOPs let patients continue with treatment as they integrate back into their daily lives. It provides an opportunity to practice recovery skills in the real world and maintain responsibilities like work, school or family.
• Outpatient Rehab: Outpatient rehab is the least intensive level of care, involving regular therapy sessions and continued support as patients fully engage in their everyday lives, applying the coping strategies learned in treatment.

EVIDENCE-BASED THERAPIES

We use a variety of evidence-based therapies when treating methamphetamine addiction, tailored to meet each individual’s unique challenges. Our therapies include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT is a cornerstone in addiction treatment, helping individuals identify and challenge thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to substance use. It equips patients with practical skills to manage triggers and develop healthier coping mechanisms, fostering long-term recovery.
• The Matrix Model: The Matrix Model is a multifaceted therapeutic intervention specifically designed for stimulant addiction. It integrates various treatment methods and empowers patients by fostering positive relationships, promoting self-esteem and teaching strategies to avoid relapse, all within a structured framework of support.
• 12-step facilitation therapy: 12-step programs like Narcotics Anonymous or Crystal Meth Anonymous are grounded in the concept of addiction being a progressive illness that requires a community-based approach to healing. At Emerald Isle, we facilitate engagement with the principles of 12-step programs, fostering a commitment to abstinence and active involvement in peer support groups.
• Contingency management (CM): CM is highly effective for methamphetamine addiction, providing tangible rewards as incentives for maintaining sobriety and other treatment goals. This method has shown success in increasing treatment retention and promoting abstinence from drugs by reinforcing positive behavior changes.

DUAL DIAGNOSIS TREATMENT

At Emerald Isle, we recognize that many individuals struggling with methamphetamine addiction also face co-occurring mental health disorders. That’s why we offer dual diagnosis treatment, a holistic approach that addresses both substance use and mental health concerns. Integrating mental health treatment into addiction programs has been found to improve long-term outcomes by reducing the risk of relapse and helping patients achieve a better quality of life.

OUR EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE

At Emerald Isle Health & Recovery, our team has years of experience in treating methamphetamine addiction. Our doctors, specialists and other experts are adept at addressing substance use and the co-occurring disorders that often accompany it. This depth of experience ensures that we are equipped to help patients recognize the underlying causes of addiction and overcome the roadblocks that stand in the way of a healthier, happier future.

Our professionals are committed to guiding individuals through every step of their recovery journey, from the initial assessment to discharge. We understand that transitioning back into daily life after rehab is a critical phase, and our team provides ongoing support to ensure that our patients are well-prepared to navigate the challenges of a life free from addiction.

HOW TO HELP A LOVED ONE STRUGGLING WITH METH ADDICTION

Having a loved one struggling with meth addiction can be challenging. It requires patience, understanding and a proactive approach. While the decision to get help is ultimately their own, there are some steps you can take to support them in their journey toward recovery:

• Educate yourself: Learn about methamphetamine and its long-term effects.
• Recognize signs: Become familiar with the signs and symptoms of meth use.
• Communicate openly: Express your concerns in a non-judgmental way.
• Research treatment options: Look into facilities that specialize in treating meth addiction so you’re prepared if your loved one comes to you for help.
• Set healthy boundaries: Set boundaries to protect your own well-being and don’t enable your loved one’s addiction. This might mean stepping back if you have to.
• Encourage rehab: Encourage your loved one to seek treatment and assist in scheduling evaluations or assessments, If they’re willing.
• Provide ongoing support: Once treatment begins, stay involved, offer support and celebrate their successes.

If you need help or guidance throughout this process, don’t hesitate to contact Emerald Isle Health & Recovery. We can help you explore your options, share local resources and provide advice on getting your loved one into treatment if they’re ready to start the recovery process.

START YOUR RECOVERY AT EMERALD ISLE

Don’t let meth control your life any longer. Seeking treatment can help you avoid some of the drug’s most damaging effects and make it easier for you to get sober. If you or someone you care about is struggling with meth addiction, the skilled professionals at Emerald Isle can help. Learn more about our treatment programs by contacting or calling us today at 855-613-0620.