Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine is an extremely addictive central nervous system stimulant. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health found recently that about 10.4 million Americans age twelve and over have used methamphetamine at least once in their life. Methamphetamine is generally smoked, snorted, or injected. Addiction takes hold fast, and it becomes near impossible to quit without professional help.

Meth is used by people of all demographics, from party-goers seeking an energy boost, to models hoping to lose weight. Meth directly affects the release of dopamine, and quickly causes an addiction and obsession. Chronic use can result in collapsed jaw, rotted teeth, scabbing, and long periods without sleep. Psychological effects from long-term use can result in paranoia, anxiety, psychosis, and delusions.

Methamphetamine Detoxification

Meth detox is composed mainly of psychological distress. Withdrawing individuals generally experience extreme anxiety and agitation, insomnia, and intense cravings for the drug. Although the person may not be in immediate physical danger, the emotional pain can be just as dangerous. The majority of methamphetamine addicts who withdraw without a medical detox relapse due to the cravings created by the psychological effects. At a methamphetamine detox program, the addict is kept as comfortable as possible, and eased through the process as painlessly as possible.