The Benefits of Treatment at a Meth Detox Center
Methamphetamine is a stimulant that physicians prescribe to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and obesity. Unfortunately, many people purchase meth illegally to use for the effects that it has on them. They can smoke, inject, snort or swallow this drug. The medical community acknowledges that meth can cause severe psychological or physical dependence. Because of this very high risk, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) strictly controls methamphetamine prescription and use.
Under the Controlled Substances Act, methamphetamine is classified as a Schedule II drug. Healthcare professionals have only one methamphetamine medication to prescribe to patients, Desoxyn. The only way to receive this medication is to obtain it from a physician or other authorized provider.
Meth’s Effect on the Brain
The brain produces dopamine, which makes people feel good. The brain sends out dopamine whenever you do something that the body wants you to do. For example, you may experience a dopamine surge when you spend time with friends.
When people ingest methamphetamine, the brain sends out more dopamine, and they experience increased energy and alertness plus heightened euphoria. Because meth sends large amounts of dopamine to the brain’s reward centers, people want to continue to use it and can become dependent on it.
After ingesting methamphetamine, you may experience these effects:
- Hyperthermia or overheating
- Hypertension
- Irregular heartbeat
- Rapid heart rate and breathing
- Decreased appetite
- Increased physical activity
- Increased wakefulness
Why Do People Experience Withdrawal Symptoms?
When you reduce the amount of methamphetamine that you are taking, your body needs to adapt to having less of the drug. That is because methamphetamine attaches to the brain’s receptors, and this alters the brain’s chemistry. The more that you engage in methamphetamine use, the more it can change your brain. So, if you suddenly stop ingesting meth, the brain needs to adapt to this new reality quickly and enact processes that bring its chemistry back to its natural state. The withdrawal symptoms are side effects of these processes.
What Are Methamphetamine Withdrawal Symptoms?
After you become addicted to methamphetamine, it can be difficult to stop using the substance — even if you desperately want to do so — because of the withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms include:
- Intense methamphetamine cravings
- Fatigue and tiredness
- Psychosis
- Anxiety
- Severe depression
- Malnourishment
- Muscle spasms
- Hallucinations
- Paranoia
- Headaches
- Disturbed sleep
- Dry mouth
Researchers learned that depression, food cravings, and methamphetamine cravings are withdrawal symptoms that are at their most intense level 24 hours after you cease methamphetamine use.
How Long Do These Symptoms Last?
Most methamphetamine withdrawal symptoms cease within two weeks. Sometimes, people experience intense methamphetamine cravings for as long as five weeks.
The acute phase is the initial phase of meth withdrawal, and it lasts for seven to 10 days. This is when food cravings decrease.
The subacute phase lasts for three weeks, but during this time, your depression should improve. Although psychosis may be present before you stop using meth, it should subside during the subacute phase.
Some emotional symptoms may last for several months. They include depression, intense cravings, and anxiety.
Methamphetamine Detoxification
Meth detox is the process by which a drug treatment center removes all traces of the drugs from your system. You will need to stop all use of the drug during this time. You can detox from methamphetamine without going into drug rehab, but this may be too uncomfortable to attempt. Meth withdrawal symptoms could last for two weeks or longer.
In our medical detox program at Defining Wellness Centers, several caring professionals will be around to ensure that you endure the withdrawal process well. For example, a physician, nurses, clinical staff and therapists are all present when you are in the rehab center. They may administer medications that can reduce your meth withdrawal symptoms.
Medications in Our Meth Detox Center
When you are in our meth detox program, you may receive benzodiazepines that reduce the withdrawal symptoms.
Benzodiazepines suppress the central nervous system, which can ease the withdrawal symptoms. You may also receive medications like naltrexone or sublocade at Defining Wellness.
Treatment for Substance Use Disorder
If you want to be free of harmful substances, the first step is detox. The second step is to begin counseling. Counseling may take many forms, and your team will help you determine which modality best fits you.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a psychological treatment that has been proven to help those experiencing substance use disorders. One purpose of CBT is to change the way that you think. With CBT, you learn how to recognize the distortions in your thinking that lead to problems. Then, you learn how to channel your thoughts in a healthier way. You also learn about the motivations and behavior of other people. You will come away with new skills to help you solve your problems more effectively. Most importantly, you will feel confident in your ability to affect change.
CBT may also help you change your behavior patterns. For example, you will learn to face your fears rather than avoid them. CBT also prepares you for potentially problematic interactions with other people. Through role-playing, you learn how to interact more effectively. You also learn what you can do to calm destructive thoughts and relax.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Dialectical behavior therapy is another type of psychotherapy. It was designed to treat people who experience intense emotions. If this has been a particular issue for you, DBT may help you tremendously.
The word “dialectical” means “combining opposite ideas.” This therapy encourages you to accept whatever is going on in your life and the behaviors that may come from it. It also helps you change what you can and would like to change, particularly your negative behaviors.
DBT is effective for treating substance use disorder because SUD is associated with using unhealthy behaviors to control intense negative emotions. Rather than focus on those unhealthy behaviors, DBT teaches you to cope with difficult things in healthy ways.
Group Therapy
Group therapy is also a form of psychotherapy, but the sessions are led by one or two practitioners and include other clients. It is another option that helps you manage your SUD. This option provides you with hope because, as you witness other people recover from their substance use disorders, you may begin to believe that you can recover, too.
Group therapy is also an essential part of your treatment because it brings people with similar circumstances together. This approach stresses the fact that you are not alone in this struggle. You can hear from other people who are experiencing the same issues that you are experiencing and receive advice when you are in a difficult situation.
Group therapy offers you something that you cannot necessarily find among your friends and family members. The members of your group have the credibility to support you throughout your treatment. This is integral to improving your confidence and self-esteem. Also, learning more about other sober members of your group and forging bonds with them can help you create a network of new friends. This social support system will be invaluable as you continue to develop a healthy, sober lifestyle.
Family Therapy
Family therapy is a form of group psychotherapy that focuses on improving the relationships between family members and how they interact with each other. In family therapy, members receive support from their therapist. Therapists can also guide you toward functioning more effectively in a family setting to increase everyone’s sense of well-being. If family relationships have been fractured during active addiction, family therapy can help you begin repairing those bonds.
Person-Centered Therapy
Person-centered therapy is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on teaching you how to take responsibility for the issues you currently have and then solve those issues on your own. It allows your therapist to treat you in the manner that is best suited to your needs. You work with your therapist in a one-on-one session where self-discovery is crucial, and you learn to understand yourself better.
Your therapist helps you understand your thoughts and accept them. It is a way in which you learn to see yourself very clearly so that you can know your true self. Your therapist will work with you at your own pace, and you will be encouraged to progress at your own speed. You will be at liberty to decide how you are going to live your life.
Treating Methamphetamine Addiction at Defining Wellness Centers
Inpatient Rehab
For you to maintain long-term sobriety, you need to address the psychological reasons for your SUD, and you will receive this treatment when you enter inpatient rehab. Inpatient rehab is a good choice for you if you are living in an environment that is not conducive to your recovery. You will be in a safe place where you can receive therapies and treatments. It can take 90 days for your brain to recover fully from addiction.
You will have one-on-one sessions with your therapist and take part in group therapy. Many clients who enter drug addiction treatment have a dual diagnosis, which means that there is an underlying mental health issue such as anxiety or depression that must be addressed as well in order for treatment to be successful. At Defining Wellness, we’ll help you address these issues so that you can move forward toward a sober, happy life.
Partial Hospitalization Program
The partial hospitalization program is an outpatient program, but it is much more intensive than the outpatient program. Many people who finish residential treatment continue to a partial hospitalization program, or PHP. While in PHP, you will either live at home or in a sober living facility, and you will participate in treatment six hours a day, five days a week. You will continue to work on the foundations laid during inpatient treatment.
Outpatient Rehab
Defining Wellness also has outpatient rehab that might be an option for you after you complete PHP. Having the structure of an outpatient program to return to can help you remain on the right track on your voyage to sobriety. Our 10-week outpatient program is good for people who have graduated from PHP and are ready to take on more responsibility in their day-to-day lives, such as returning to work, going back to school, or resuming family duties.
If you have been seeking treatment for substance use for a loved one, or you need help yourself, we urge you to discover Defining Wellness Centers. Reach out to us today to learn more.
