Meth is a hazardous drug, and one of the signs of meth addiction when used is that it causes instant habit changes. Many people have been hooked up to meth addiction, and they do not know how to get out of this trap. This drug makes its users have cravings, which makes them easily addicted. Meth quickly gets to the brain faster than other drugs like amphetamine.
Methamphetamine drug, also known as Crystal Meth, is highly addictive and destructive to the mind and body. In Canada, this drug has been banned entirely because of the negative impact on health, economy, and social life.
Meth is an illegal drug that is cooked with several chemicals. After it's cooked, this drug becomes a powerful stimulant. This psycho-stimulant drug makes its users have high and low moments. Although it's not easy to stop using Meth, it's possible to stop abusing it with the help of medical professionals.
Damages of Methamphetamine to Users
The abuse of Meth can cause severe physical and mental conditions to users.There are long term and short-term side effects of Meth abuse. These are:
Short term side effects
- Loss of appetite
- High blood pressure
- Heart palpitations
- Seizures
High body temperatures
Long term side effects include:- Violent behaviour
- Increased risk of stroke
- Dental problems
- Loss of memory
- Mood swings
- Hallucinations
- Weight loss
Meth forces the brain to produce dopamine at a very high rate, affecting the performance of activities like sexual performance and other events. The first shot of Meth makes it easy for the users to get addicted because they want to feel what they felt the first day they used it. This craving is what draws many people to addiction.
Treatment of Meth
Treating Meth addiction involves courses of detoxification. This is usually done to remove the existence of the Meth in the user’s body. Detoxification helps the body and mind of the user to function without Meth.Meth's treatment of Meth is not just carried out to eliminate the Meth but also to encourage the user to live a better life without using Meth.
Treatment for Meth Addiction to Light Users
When we say light users, we refer to those who haven't been addicted for a long time. Most of these users use Meth in smaller quantities. The type of detoxification used depends on the extent of the addiction. If a person hasn’t used this drug for long, the doctors can give medications to detox at home. For a person to be allowed to detox at home, he must meet the following criteria:- User must prove that he/she has no other drugs at home like alcohol.
- The individual must have supportive friends and family members to support him/her.
- He/she should return all the drugs that are at home.
- The individual must agree that they will participate in therapies and be part of aftercare groups.
Treatment of Meth for Heavy Users
Heavy Meth users are those people who have used Meth for a more extended period and in large quantities. For those who had used Meth for a prolonged period, doctors might recommend an inpatient treatment plan because of relapsing during detoxification. When a person is used to large amounts of Meth in the system, carrying out self-detoxification will be impossible.When withdrawing from Meth, long time users tend to get severe withdrawal symptoms, which force them to bounce back to the drug to feel "normal."
The user is removed from any environment, which causes addiction. The drug used to treat Meth addiction is usually Naltrexone, which is also used to treat alcohol addictions.
Naltrexone is used after the detoxification program is finished. This medicine is beneficial because it reduces the Meth cravings.
Sometimes individuals who are withdrawing from Meth experience panic attacks that come as a result of their bodies adjusting to the new life. Such users are usually given Benzodiazepines.
Treatment of Meth Using Therapy
After the detox, users usually go for therapies to teach them how to cope without the drug and resist the temptation. Treatments involved are aimed at making addicts understand their behaviour and what draws them to the drug.Therapy is highly recommended because it teaches individuals to forgive themselves and accept their mistakes and their actions on their families. The treatment gives an individual a sense of acceptance and control of their lives.