Crystal Meth Addiction Treatment Programs

Crystal meth, also known as methamphetamine, can be difficult to treat, but help is available for those addicted to this drug. Successful recovery is possible. Crystal meth addiction treatment generally involves treating multiple aspects of the addiction, including the physical addiction, the psychological factors that led to the addiction, and the behaviors that can hamper recovery.

Recognizing the need for treatment

Before someone can begin a treatment program for crystal meth addiction, he or she must first recognize the need for treatment and commit to the process required for successful recovery. Signs that someone is addicted to crystal meth include physical cravings for the drug, a psychological desire for and preoccupation with crystal meth, and deteriorating relationships due to drug use. Crystal meth is extremely dangerous and can cause symptoms such as an irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure and convulsions, even with a single use. Because of the highly addictive nature of the drug, even casual users may need to enter a formal treatment program to overcome their need for it. In some cases, the user might have to break away from certain social groups, where drug use is endemic, in order to get and stay clean.

Starting treatment for crystal meth addiction

Help for crystal meth addicts comes in many forms. The first step to any treatment program is detoxification, the process of removing all traces of crystal meth from the body and getting through the resulting withdrawal phase. Because methamphetamine affects the dopamine receptors in the brain, the main withdrawal symptom experienced by users who quit taking crystal meth is a decreased ability to find pleasure in anything. This can lead to severe depression. In some cases, it can take up to two years for dopamine function to return to normal after stopping crystal meth use, according to UCLA addiction researcher Adi Jaffe. Additional withdrawal symptoms include weight gain and an increased desire to sleep. Crystal meth withdrawal does not produce the severely painful and uncomfortable symptoms experienced during withdrawal from heroin, opium, or narcotic painkillers.

Treatment and recovery

According to the U.S. National Institute for Drug Abuse, the most effective method used in crystal meth addiction treatment is a combination of behavioral therapy and psychological counseling. Some treatment plans combine behavioral lessons in how to deal with life stressors without the drug, family counseling to teach family members how to support the addict’s recovery, individual counseling to investigate the underlying causes of the addiction, a 12-step support program to provide peer support to the addict, regular drug testing to ensure compliance to the treatment program, and lessons on how to substitute alternative activities in place of drug use. In most cases, treatment for crystal meth addiction requires a follow-up period after the initial inpatient or outpatient treatment in order to help keep the recovering addict on track and to prevent relapses. Providing tangible rewards for sticking with the treatment program or remaining sober after the program is completed can help ensure a successful recovery. If you or someone you know needs more information about crystal meth addiction treatment and recovery, consider calling this help hotline at 800-660-0986 or filling out a short contact form.