Methamphetamine addiction treatment that actually works

Methamphetamine (often referred to as meth, crystal, ice) is a powerful and highly addictive central nervous system stimulant that can take the form of a white, odorless, bitter-tasting powder or as small crystals (crystal meth) that resemble shards of glass.

The powder form can be swallowed, snorted up the nose, or dissolved in water and injected into the body with a needle. Crystal meth can be snorted or smoked in a small glass pipe.

Methamphetamine causes a release of the neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin and increases the activity of the cardiovascular and central nervous systems.

The body builds up a tolerance to methamphetamine very quickly, requiring users to take higher doses to get the same effects at before. Over time, meth use causes significant changes to the user’s brain chemistry.

The body eventually stops producing dopamine on its own, and as a result, may users start to lose interest in previously enjoyable or rewarding activities because they no longer get pleasure from them. With prolonged use, the drug often becomes the only source of enjoyable feelings, which leads to an uncontrollable dependence.

In low to moderate doses, meth can cause:

• Elevated mood
• Increase energy, alertness, and focus
• Reduced appetite

Higher doses of meth can result in:

• Psychosis
• Confusion
• Insomnia
• Breakdown of skeletal muscle
• Elevated body temperature
• Seizures
• Bleeding in the brain

Chronic meth abuse often leads to:

• Unpredictable and rapid mood swings
• Anxiety
• Paranoia
• Hallucinations
• Delirium
• Delusions
• Broken, rotted teeth (“meth mouth”)
• Violent behavior
• Memory loss

Methamphetamine is typically smoked, or injected, which causes the drug to reach the brain relatively quickly resulting in an initial rush that usually lasts about 30 minutes. Snorting or swallowing the drug typically produces a longer lasting high but doesn’t cause an intense rush.

Once the drug is in the system, it can remain active for anywhere from around 8 to 24 hours, depending on how much was taken, what method was used, as well as factors like individual body chemistry and organ function.

After that, meth is typically detectable in urine for up to 5 days, and in hair samples for up to 90 days.

Meth withdrawal symptoms may include:

• Tiredness and fatigue
• Excessive sleeping
• Extreme cravings
• Memory loss
• Paranoia
• Hallucinations
• Delusions
• Fear
• Nausea
• Shaking
• Agitation
• Severe depression

Methamphetamine withdrawal can bring on severe depression so dark and painful that the user will do anything to stop it, often resulting in relapse. Users may return to the same dose they were previously accustomed to, possibly leading to meth overdose.

While physical withdrawal symptoms are not as dangerous as with other substances of abuse such as alcohol, opioids, or sedatives, they’re still unpleasant. The real dangers with meth withdrawal have to do with the psychological withdrawal symptoms, which often include severe depression that may lead to suicidal thoughts or actions.

For this reason, it’s critical for patients to be supervised by trained medical and psychological professionals during the detox process. In addition, physicians may prescribe certain anti-addiction drugs such as Modafinil to help ease withdrawal symptoms. Other medications, including antidepressants such as Paxil (paroxetine), may also help decrease crystal meth cravings and alleviate severe depression.

The specific amount of time for meth withdrawal varies between individuals and depends on a number of factors such as how long the person used, how much, how often, and how they used it. Those who inject meth intravenously, for example, may experience a slightly longer withdrawal period.

In general, the initial acute withdrawal phase usually peaks around day two or three after last use and begins to subside after a week.

Psychological symptoms and other post-acute symptoms like agitation, drug cravings, and sleep disturbances may persist for several weeks, and depression can last for months or even years for some patients.

Yes. Because methamphetamine affects the cardiovascular system, increasing heart rate and blood pressure, it can cause a fatal heart attack or stroke in high doses.

Because most meth is made in unregulated conditions and may be adulterated by any number of chemicals before it reaches the end user, purity and toxicity can vary wildly, further increasing the chances of a meth overdose.