The euphoric high from crystal meth is more potent than even that of cocaine. It significantly increases the levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine in your brain. Dopamine is linked with the brain’s pleasure receptors and affects motor functioning, reward, and motivation. These high levels of dopamine create an increasingly strong desire to continue using the drug. The euphoric state you enter produces intense cravings that make you use the drug more to maintain that feeling. This makes you continually increase the dosage and binge on it, which could translate into going several days without sleeping as the desire to use the drug rarely abates. Once you start spiraling downward into meth addiction, you may feel like there is no way out. However, the meth addiction treatment program at Ethan Crossing Springfield provides support as you take the first steps to lifelong recovery.
What to Expect from Meth Addiction Treatment
There is no medical solution to meth addiction. After detox, psychological counseling will be the main emphasis in treating this affliction. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) addresses the negative thoughts and consequent actions that impair recovery. By putting the patient in a clear and positive frame of mind, they can better understand the ramifications of their drug use and how to manage their newfound sobriety. There may be co-occurring disorders associated with meth use, and CBT is a proven method of alleviating and getting them under control.
Co-Occurring Disorders
The following co-occurring disorders can contribute to the need to self-medicate. By addressing them through the utilization of CBT, they can be managed and, in some cases, defeated.
- Bipolar disorder
- Anxiety
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Attention deficit disorder (ADD)
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Eating disorders
We can address the unique mental health concerns that come along with meth addiction simultaneously with co-occurring disorders.
10 Signs of Meth Addiction
One of the early indicators of meth addiction is when someone has lost all interest in their usual routine. You may put aside relationships, work, and hobbies, and the cracks in your life’s foundation begin to reveal themselves. At first, you try to hide your meth use but due to the drug’s ability to alter your brain chemistry, affecting how you think and feel, the signs of drug abuse become impossible to conceal. You no longer have the ability to live in secret due to the drug’s harmful influence over your cognitive abilities. The following are signs of meth addiction:
- Paranoia
- Rapid eye movement
- Mood swings
- Weight loss
- Reduced appetite
- Twitching
- Agitation
- Rotten teeth
- Hyperactivity
- Dilated pupils
Another of the telltale signs that someone is using method is the phenomenon known as “tweaking.” This period lasts for 3-15 days, during which anxiety and insomnia peak. This period occurs at the tail end of a drug binge when you can no longer get a high from the drug. This leads to confusion and even desperation. Hallucinations and violent outbursts are not uncommon during this period. These are joined by feelings of confusion, irritability, and paranoia.
Reach Out to Ethan Crossing Recovery Today
Methamphetamines are a powerful drug that can cause you to spiral out of control, neglecting the most important aspects of your life. You may push family and friends aside as your drug use becomes the main focus of your life. Work and hobbies become an afterthought as you are unable to maintain any semblance of normalcy. Your physical appearance quickly deteriorates, and all you can think about is using more and more. While everyone around you notices your descent into drug addiction, the effects of meth addiction cloud your vision, and you fail to recognize how far you have fallen.
At Ethan Crossing Recovery in Springfield, Ohio, we have an effective treatment program for meth addiction and recovery. We may use cognitive-behavioral therapy, trauma therapy, and 12-step programs. These therapeutic modalities help you manage your addiction and create a plan for wellness that you can follow and maintain to aid you in living a sober life. Anyone can get help at any point. Ethan Crossing Recovery serves the Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus, Ohio area. Contact us today.
