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Meth Addiction Treatment in Dallas, TX

The History of Methamphetamine

First synthesized by a Japanese chemist in 1893, methamphetamine was first sold as a medication for asthma and nasal congestion. This inhaler medication was a non-prescription drug and soared in popularity for its euphoric, energizing effects. And it was because of these effects that pharmaceutical companies soon developed the drug in pill form to treat narcolepsy. Japanese soldiers riding fighter planes were given exceedingly high doses of Pervitin – which has since been dubbed Pilot’s Salt – to provide them with the will to take on suicide missions. On the other hand, German soldiers were given a combination of meth and cocaine to help them work the frontlines of the battle.

Later in the 1950s, the inhaler form of meth started to become more and more popular. Called Benzedrine, this medication defined the beatnik culture. Earning its street name, ‘Bennies,’ this drug was used by many prominent writers of the time, including Jack Kerouac. But soon, the FDA would put a lid on amphetamine access by listing Bennies as a prescription medication. However, the rising addiction among many users pushed people to find ways to synthesize their meth. This made the FDA limit the access of ephedrine – a precursor in the synthesis of crystal meth. Unfortunately, pseudoephedrine could also be found in OTC cough syrups, used in meth labs to produce inexpensive meth. Since then, the use of methamphetamine has risen exponentially. In 2006, the World Health Organization reported that meth was the most abused illicit drug globally. And while its use has declined globally, meth remains a significant problem in the United States and worldwide.

Meth Addiction Facts

  • Only 16,000 people in the United States receive a prescription for amphetamines, which is supposedly less than four metric tons
  • 500 metric tons of methamphetamine and amphetamine-type stimulants are used every year in the United States
  • 2% of individuals seeking help for drug and alcohol abuse in Hawaii were methamphetamine users
  • Methamphetamine can sustain a high for up to 15 hours, so binge users can keep the effects going and stay awake for days
  • 3,728 people died from meth overdose in 2014
  • 15% of all drug overdose deaths in 2017 involved the use of methamphetamine
  • The average age for meth misuse is 23.3 years

What Happens When You Use Meth?

Methamphetamine is often compared to drugs like cocaine because it falls within the same stimulant category. But unlike cocaine, meth has also been associated with a significant decrease in inhibitions, making its user act out more wildly than cocaine. Its effects are also known to last much longer at 4 to 15 hours, while cocaine only lasts up to 30 minutes. Some of the short-term effects of methamphetamine use include:

  • Inability to feel sleepiness, drowsiness, or fatigue
  • Heightened level of activity
  • Extended wakefulness
  • Decreased or absent appetite
  • Euphoria and elation
  • Increased respiratory and heart rate
  • Increased body warmth
  • Willingness to take risks
  • Increased sexual desire
  • Uncharacteristic talkativeness
  • Argumentative behavior
  • Intense focus
  • Delusions and hallucinations

The methamphetamine rush happens during the first dose and brings the user feelings of intense physiological functions. This includes a fast heart rate, respiratory rate, and a jittery feeling as though rising, building up energy. Unlike cocaine’s 3-minute rush, the meth rush can last up to 30 minutes. The feeling of a high then follows this. The high is characterized by a strong sense of well-being and euphoria. During this phase, people tend to feel more talkative and aggressive, often unable to wait for others to finish speaking before interjecting with their thoughts.

These intense feelings often drive the user to want to sustain the high, resulting in a binge. As the euphoria starts to wane, most users take more doses to keep the high going. And with each new amount comes a unique rush and a new high. This can keep the effects around for up to 15 days, after which the body no longer feels a kick or a high. At the end of the high, when new doses no longer take effect, the user may experience ‘tweaking.’ Hallucinations and feelings of exhaustion characterize this. Persistent, intense itching is also common, with most abusers convinced they have bugs crawling under their skin.

As the effects of the drug wash away, the person is left feeling without energy, hungry, and dehydrated. The crash can last for up to three days and will usually usher in nothing but prolonged bouts of sleep. The hangover that follows can be incredibly unpleasant, making the person feel wasted physically, emotionally, and mentally. And to escape these feelings, they’re likely to take a new dose. Over the long term, frequent meth use can lead to addiction and dependence. Some of the long-term effects of the stimulant drug include:

  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Psychosis
  • Intense fatigue
  • Confusion
  • Mood disturbances
  • Insomnia
  • Violent behavior
  • Paranoia
  • Repetitive motor activity
  • Deficit in cognitive and physical function
  • Memory loss
  • Severe dental problems
  • Weight loss
  • Impotence

It’s also worth noting that methamphetamine abusers are more likely to contract HIV-AIDS due to stimulant drug use. This isn’t only because of the sharing of paraphernalia like syringes but also because their willingness to take risks and the decreased inhibitions make it more likely for them to engage in promiscuous sexual acts.

 

Meth Dependence

The longer that a person uses meth, the stronger the dependence becomes. The dependence reliance makes it challenging to perform daily responsibilities without the drug, while the addiction imposes heightened cravings to keep taking the stimulant as the effects start to wane. Extended methamphetamine use makes it near impossible for abusers to function without the drug, so binges are becoming more common. It isn’t uncommon for meth addicts to fall into financial turmoil due to their addiction. At a certain point, when all monetary resources have been exhausted in pursuit of the next fix, abusers will turn to theft and other illegal activities to sustain their expensive habit.

What Does Meth Do to the Brain?

There are two main ways this stimulant drug affects the brain, and the first is through direct interference with the neurotransmitter dopamine. The medication facilitates increased dopamine concentrations in the brain’s reward centers, which in turn reinforces drug use. Over time, this pathway can be so abused that the user no longer feels any pleasure unless through the drug. Another way that meth affects the brain is through the function of microglial cells, which work with microglial cells’ function, which remove dead neurons. With meth, these cells’ activity becomes far more aggressive, attacking even healthy cells. The result is that brain area are killed and depleted, especially those involving memory and emotional regulation.

 

Treatment for Methamphetamine Addiction

Methamphetamine addiction can be challenging, but recovery is possible with the right support and treatment. Here are some steps you may want to take toward a brighter future:

  • Detox: The first crucial step is detoxification, where the body is rid of methamphetamine and its toxins. Our experienced medical team provides comprehensive care during this phase to ensure a safe and comfortable detox process.
  • Treatment: Following detox, clients enter the treatment phase, where they receive evidence-based therapies and support. This often takes place in the form of inpatient and outpatient treatment programs that offer a variety of therapies.
  • On-Going Follow-Up: Recovery is an ongoing journey, and continuous support is needed for long-term sobriety. Finding a sponsor and joining sober support groups like NA can ensure you maintain the recovery you worked hard for during treatment.

Our Meth Addiction Treatment in Dallas, TX

If you or a loved one is struggling with methamphetamine addiction, please reach out to us. Our dedicated team is here to offer the care, guidance, and support needed for a successful recovery journey. We offer multiple meth rehab programs to help you break free from addiction including:

  • Extended Care and Sober Living: For those who are in need of a more intensive meth rehab in Dallas, extended care is a great option. It combines sober living with a partial hospitalization program so you have comprehensive support during early meth recovery.
  • Partial Hospitalization: If you are struggling with moderate to severe meth abuse, our meth partial hospitalization program in Dallas can help. PHP allows you to receive intensive treatment during the day while returning home at night for those with evening and nighttime responsibilities.
  • Intensive Outpatient: For those with mild to moderate meth addiction, our meth intensive outpatient program in Dallas provides a flexible yet effective option. You’ll complete treatment 3 days a week for 3 hours each day allowing you to fulfill a variety of responsibilities at home while you still receive the support needed during early recovery.

Get Started With Lighthouse Recovery

Break free from the grip of meth addiction and ignite a new chapter of recovery with Lighthouse Recovery’s comprehensive treatment programs in Texas. From personalized Dallas partial hospitalization to intensive outpatient services and an extensive range of evidence-based therapies, our dedicated team is committed to helping you reclaim your life. Contact us today to learn more or get started.

Get Started Today

Getting started is easy. Use one of the options here to get in touch with a Lighthouse Staff member. We’ll discuss your needs, expectations for Treatment, and our programming options. We look forward to speaking with you and thank you for your trust.

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