Meth Addiction

Meth Addiction Treatment Options in San Antonio, TX

Methamphetamine–also known as meth–is a potent, highly-addictive stimulant drug. Repeated meth use can cause changes in how your brain and body work, making it very difficult to stop using it when you want to.

Meth use impairs your judgment, harms your health, and keeps you from functioning in your daily life. If you use meth, you must seek professional treatment and ongoing support to stop. Meth addiction is a complex condition, but comprehensive treatment can give you the skills and treatment you need to live a healthier, sober life and avoid relapse in the future.

Understanding the signs of meth addiction and seeking treatment as soon as possible is crucial. Reach out to the Flourishing Foundations team to explore our supportive meth addiction treatment programs in San Antonio, TX or to find other types of recovery support.

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What is Meth?

Meth, also referred to as crystal meth, is a popular name for methamphetamine. Methamphetamine is an illicit drug derived from amphetamine. It is a synthetic drug that people produce in illegal labs out of common medications and household substances. Because meth production is illegal and unregulated, there is no way to know what is in the meth that is available for sale.

Meth has many other street names, including:

  • Speed
  • Crystal meth
  • Ice
  • Crank
  • White
  • Stove top
  • Hawaiian salt
  • Shards
  • Zip
  • Shaved ice
  • Blue
  • L.A. ice
  • Hot ice

People ingest meth by smoking or inhaling it or by taking it orally. The effects of meth begin very quickly. The effects of meth include:

  • Increased energy
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Loss of appetite
  • Euphoria

If people use meth regularly, they may develop tolerance, meaning they need to use larger or more frequent doses of the medication to get the desired effects. Habitually using meth can lead to complications, overdose, and addiction.

In 2021, about 2.5 million people reported using meth (aka crystal meth) and about 1.6 million were reported with a crystal meth addition.

What Are the Effects of Meth Abuse?

eth abuse can cause many short and long-term effects on a person’s physical and psychological well-being. It can impact their relationships, safety, and other aspects of their lives.

People typically use meth for its pleasurable effects. However, meth can also cause unwanted short-term side effects, including:

  • Aggressive behaviors
  • Memory problems
  • Violent or erratic behaviors
  • Anxiety
  • Paranoia
  • Confusion
  • Depression
  • Trouble with focus and concentration
  • Loss of coordination
  • Hallucinations
  • Delusions

Taking too much meth at once can result in an overdose. In 2021, approximately 32, 537 people died as a result of an overdose involving meth.

Some of the long-term effects of meth abuse include:

  • Skin infections and scarring from skin-picking
  • “Meth mouth”–tooth decay, gum disease, tooth loss
  • Malnutrition and extreme weight loss
  • Sexually transmitted disease
  • Damage to sinuses and nasal passages
  • Chronic runny nose
  • Lung damage
  • Respiratory diseases and damage

Some of the effects of meth use will get better after a person stops using this destructive drug. However, some damage from meth abuse may be permanent. It’s essential to seek treatment as soon as you recognize a problem to avoid the worsening consequences of meth addiction.

Meth Addiction Symptoms

Meth is a potent stimulant drug that changes how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. You may notice the physical or behavioral symptoms of meth in others if you know what to look for.

Some of the physical and psychological meth addiction signs include:

  • Having severe dental issues, such as decay or missing teeth
  • Quick, dramatic weight loss
  • Insomnia
  • Picking or scratching skin until it bleeds
  • Confusion
  • Poor memory
  • Irritability
  • Auditory and visual hallucinations
  • Delusions (believing things that aren’t true)
  • Paranoia
  • Aggressive or violent behaviors

Some of the behavioral meth addiction sign include:

  • Using larger or more frequent doses of meth than they planned to
  • Wanting to stop using meth but finding it very challenging
  • Neglecting hobbies, relationships, and responsibilities at home, work, or school
  • Spending a lot of time and energy getting, using, and recovering from using meth
  • Having cravings for meth when not using it
  • Engaging in dangerous behaviors while using meth, such as having risky sex or driving while high
  • Needing to use more meth to get the same effects
  • Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when the effects of meth wear off

No one chooses meth addiction. It is a complex condition that requires thoughtful, comprehensive treatment that includes a medically-supported detox program and ongoing treatment.

Without treatment, prescription drug misuse can develop into physical and psychological dependence or addiction. Seek treatment as soon as you recognize a problem.

Meth Withdrawal & Detox

People who develop meth addiction will likely experience withdrawal symptoms if they suddenly stop taking it. Meth withdrawal symptoms may include:

  • Intense cravings
  • Increased appetite
  • Weight gain
  • Fatigue
  • Depression
  • Delusions
  • Anxiety

Meth withdrawal is typically not hazardous, but symptoms can make people so uncomfortable that they risk relapsing before detox is complete.

People with meth addiction require the support of a comprehensive treatment program that includes medically-supported detox services. During detox, patients receive supervision, monitoring, support, and medications to help them manage the discomforts of withdrawal. Participating in a medically-supported detox program gives people the best chance at a safe, complete detox from meth and other substances.

After completing detox, people must receive ongoing treatment that includes behavioral therapies, mental health treatment, aftercare planning, medications, and relapse prevention education.

Meth Addiction Treatment in San Antonio, TX

At Flourishing Foundations Recovery Center, we understand the unique and challenging nature of methamphetamine addiction. Meth is a highly potent and addictive stimulant that can rapidly trap individuals in its grip, leading to both physical and psychological dependence. Our dedicated team is committed to guiding you toward a journey of long-term recovery, tailored specifically to your unique needs.

We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to recovery. Instead, we offer various programs to fit your unique needs. Whether it’s our partial hospitalization program, intensive outpatient program (IOP), or regular outpatient services, our goal is to provide the right support for your journey. As you near the end of your treatment, our experienced counselors and mental health experts will work with you to create a personalized plan for aftercare, reducing the risk of relapse and boosting your ongoing recovery.

Our treatment approach looks at the whole person, not just the physical side of addiction. We use proven therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing (MI), and trauma therapy to help you understand the root causes of addiction. By addressing these underlying issues, we empower you to break free from the cycle of methamphetamine abuse and regain control of your life.

To learn more about our methamphetamine addiction treatment programs in San Antonio or if you have questions, please reach out to our caring team at Flourishing Foundations Recovery today.

References:

  1. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): Methamphetamine DrugFacts, Retrieved September 2023 from https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/methamphetamine
  2. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): What is the scope of methamphetamine use in the United States, Retrieved September 2023 from https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/methamphetamine/what-scope-methamphetamine-misuse-in-united-states

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