How Meth Addiction is Treated and Why
Crystal meth addiction can do terrifying damage to lives, bodies and relationships. Knowing how meth addiction is treated is a great place to start if you or someone you love needs help. Meth use causes dramatic changes in brain chemistry and behavior. This requires careful treatment to not only restore physical health, but peace of mind. Recovery from meth addiction requires patience. The body and mind can heal, with time and the right meth addiction rehab however. Because of the incredibly addictive nature of crystal meth, most users need a complete separation from the people, places and things they associate with using.
It isn’t enough to simply make a solemn commitment to quit and go to a few meetings. You can count the number of people that has worked for on one hand. This does not mean that meetings don’t help, however. 12 step fellowships like Narcotics Anonymous can absolutely be an important part of a solution. What we are saying is that most people need a plan and they need outside help, including professional medical help. Keep reading to learn more about how this condition is treated successfully in meth addiction rehab.
The Medical Aspect of How Meth Addiction is Treated
We know crystal meth use ravages the mind and body. Both will need time to heal and repair. For the first section of this article, we’ll cover the medical aspect of how meth addiction is treated. When a person stops using meth abruptly, they will usually experience some withdrawal symptoms. These do not necessarily require a full medical detox, but you won’t want to go through them at home if you can avoid it. If nothing else, the temptation to use may become too great. The smartest move is to get into a meth addiction rehab where you can at least stay in a sober living home while you attend therapy during the day.
Meth withdrawal symptoms can linger for a month or more, so it’s a good idea to be fully engaged in treatment during that time and not living at home. A good treatment program will give you a thorough evaluation so you can be sure you get the help you need. They can also give you medications which will help calm anxiety. They can treat depression and make sure you have good nutritious food to eat. This is important because you will likely be lacking important nutrients.
Here are some of the symptoms of meth withdrawal:
- Exhaustion and fatigue
- Depression and lack of feelings
- Psychosis and anxiety
- Cravings for the drug
- Hunger (appetite for food)
Psychological Aspects of How Meth Addiction is Treated.
The mind and body are inseparably linked and meth withdrawal will certainly remind us of that. The good news is that as the body gets healthier, it helps the mind return to balance too. This is one of the reasons why it is so important to check into rehab for crystal meth rather than trying to quit on your own. While you’re in the best meth rehab you will get one-on-one and group therapy. A psychiatrist can diagnose your symptoms and even prescribe medications to help bring you back into balance. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy are used. These help you gain a greater understanding of yourself and your addiction. The insights you have in treatment are an important part of staying off drugs for life.
Remember that recovery is a lifestyle. You don’t start and finish your recovery. You start it and continue it for life if you want to stay drug free. Holistic addiction treatment means treating the whole person. This is the most effective method of care. Holistic addiction treatment heals mind, body and spirit together. Nutrition and exercise help physical health, but they will support your psychological health as well.
Some of the methods used to treat addiction to crystal meth include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
- Group therapy and fellowship
- Nutritional support and advice
- Exercise and wellness
Conclusion
Now that you know more about how meth addiction is treated, the next step is getting help. Whether you or someone you care about is looking for help, Riverwalk Recovery Center is here for you. As a proud member of the trusted Harmony Recovery Group family, we offer evidence-based care for addiction. This means we use treatment methods that are proven effective by clinical research. You or your loved ones stay with us will be time well spent. We will do everything we can to support your recovery. Give us a call at (423) 264-2600 if you have any questions at all about treatment for meth addiction or anything else. You can also connect via our contact page here.