Crystal Meth Addiction
Crystal meth, also known as methamphetamines, is a powerful stimulant that is used by medical professionals to treat people with narcolepsy. Unfortunately, this powerful stimulant is also sold on the streets as a way for individuals to get high. Since crystal meth can be smoked, snorted, injected, and even swallowed, it is hard to recognize a person’s use until they have reached the addiction or abuse stages of the drug. Once you have realized your loved one has a crystal meth addiction, it is important to help them recognize the problem and seek treatment since crystal meth is one of the leading causes of recreational drug user deaths in the United States
Crystal Meth Addiction
Crystal meth typically starts out with innocent experimentation. Often college students will take crystal meth as a way to cope with examinations or provide themselves with the energy needed to perform in school. From there, the addiction will form emotionally and physically and the person will require the drug in order to function in their daily lives. Since the high can last anywhere from eight to 24 hours with just one dose, most drug addictions are not recognized and are written off as being over-active.
Crystal Meth Abuse Signs and Symptoms
Eventually, crystal meth will turn on the user and cause long-lasting effects that are not only apparent but can be life-threatening. If you suspect your loved one of abusing crystal meth, look for common symptoms that include:
• Restless legs
• Inability to sleep for long periods of time (24-48 hours)
• Agitated behavior
• Excited speech
• Nervousness
• Increased physical activity
• Increased heart rate
Crystal Meth Intervention
Since individuals will continually up their dose in order to avoid withdrawals, they are at high-risk for heart failure and seizures. Therefore, if you think your loved one is suffering from a crystal meth addiction, you need to help them seek treatment immediately. An intervention can help your loved one recognize the damage they are causing to their body and perhaps those around them. By understanding the risks involved and realizing their own network of support, your loved one may be willing to enter into a treatment program.
Crystal Meth Treatment
Crystal meth treatment is similar to that of other substance abuse treatments. Your loved one will first enter into a live-in rehabilitation facility where they will be given special medications to cope with the symptoms of crystal meth withdrawals. From there, your loved one will go through the group and individual therapy as well as be prescribed medications to slowly decrease their physical and psychological dependencies.
If you are reading this page, realize that it is not too late to help your loved one with their crystal meth addiction. By contacting the experts at LifeLine Intervention you will learn how to help your loved one not only recognize their addiction but cope and overcome it before it is too late.
