Detox from Methamphetamine Addiction

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), there are more tha
4 million people who habitually abuse or are addicted to Methamphetamine in the U.S. and almost 12 million individuals that have tried the drug at least once.

However, SAMHSA also reported that in recent years there has been a decline in the number of people admitted to emergency rooms for Meth related incidents due largely to federal restrictions on the sale of items used to manufacture the illicit drug.

What Is Methamphetamine?

Ice, meth, crystal, crystal meth are all names given to Methamphetamine, a highly addictive man made drug that is cooked in secret labs. The main ingredients in the drug are ammonia, ether, methanol and reactive metals, among other chemicals. The chemicals that are cooked in houses that make this drug are dangerous as they are toxic and explosive, in fact the toxins from a clandestine lab can kill anyone nearby. There have been poisonings to individuals who moved into a house that was once used as a Meth lab.

How It Is Used

Methamphetamine can be smoked, injected and snorted. It affects the brain and central nervous system by releasing dopamine, which allows the user to feel a euphoric sensation, increased arousal and an adrenaline rush. People with abuse or an addiction may stay awake for days at a time until they crash from sleep deprivation. Long term abuse will create a tolerance to the drug, which will require more of it in order to reach the same euphoric feeling as the previous time. Increasing the amount used puts the individual at risk for drug overdose.

Signs and Symptoms of Addiction

Long term Methamphetamine abuse can result in psychotic breaks which can lead to:
• Violent mood swings
• Paranoia
• Aggression and anxiety
• Insomnia
• Hallucinations and delusions

Meth mouth is another common sign in chronic meth addicts. Almost all of the signs and symptoms of abuse is caused by dehydration and lack of sleep and not necessarily the drug.
Once Meth addiction is established, the life of the addict will be centered on getting more of the drug. It is not uncommon for addicts to resort to behavior that, under different and ordinary circumstances, they would never do, such as sharing needles and trading sexual favors for the drug. This type of behavior has led to an increase in sexually transmitted diseases and infectious diseases such as Hepatitis, HIV/AIDS.

There are a number of psychological addiction qualities from Meth abuse such as:
• Fatigue
• Irritability and anxiety
• Depression
• Psychological cravings
• Fear
• Suicide

The best way to have a life that is free from Methamphetamine is to consider enrolling in a detox and rehab treatment program that will help you deal with your reasons for using this drug, encourage you to make healthier lifestyle choices and to help you get back on your feet.