What to Expect During Meth Addiction Treatment

Man thinking about meth addiction treatment

Since methamphetamines are some of the most dangerous drugs on U.S. streets, it only makes sense that meth addiction rehab programs are also common in America. While some methamphetamines have legitimate therapeutic value for conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy, crystal meth is an illicit drug produced in illegal labs and sold on the streets. This form of meth can be crushed and taken by injecting, smoking, snorting, or oral consumption.

However, both prescription drug and illegal crystal forms of meth are addictive. Searching for a meth addiction treatment program in San Antonio, TX? Reach out to SARC today by calling 866.957.7885 or contacting our team online.

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What Are The Signs of Meth Addiction?

An unfortunate reality of using addictive substances like meth is that users will often not realize what's occurring until a substance use disorder (SUD) develops. Methamphetamines, in particular, have such a high addiction potential that it’s relatively easy for someone to slip from recreational or medical use to problematic use. Some of the signs of methamphetamine addiction include the following:

Physical: These signs include a dramatic increase in body temperature, convulsions, droopy facial skin, facial acne or sores, increased libido, increased risk of having a stroke, intense itchiness or scratching, lowered immunity and susceptibility to infectious disease, liver damage, rotting teeth or meth mouth, and a thinning or frail body.
Psychological: These signs include confusion, irritability, lowered inhibitions, and paranoia.

Physical signs of meth use emerge whether someone is new to the drug or is in the process of becoming increasingly dependent on it. Also, the specific combination of two physical signs — the increased libido and the lowered immunity and susceptibility to infectious disease — with the psychological sign of lowered inhibitions can lead to someone getting a sexually transmitted disease (STD).

What Should You Expect from a Meth Addiction Treatment Program?

Addiction recovery with the help of a professional and structured program is what most experts recommend as the most effective and prudent course of action. No matter how severe a meth addiction is, overcoming it and getting on the path to recovery is still possible.

Depending on the severity of a client’s meth addiction, an addiction specialist or counselor may recommend either an outpatient or an inpatient treatment program. The former allows clients to reside in their own residences for the period of treatment. The latter, on the other hand, requires clients to reside in a treatment facility. Outpatient and inpatient meth addiction programs typically use two traditional forms of treatment:

Medical detox: This process generally occurs at the beginning of treatment programs. This occurs in a hospital or a specialized detox facility, which may be connected to a rehab center that offers the full spectrum of addiction treatment services.
Comprehensive therapy: This is a cornerstone of addiction recovery, and treatment programs generally include one-on-one, family, and group sessions.

Many meth addiction treatment programs also encourage membership in support groups, such as 12-Step ones like Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Some may include alternative therapy approaches such as adventure therapy, art therapy, and equine-assisted or other types of animal-assisted therapy. A few may also include one or two complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) approaches such as acupuncture or yoga.

When Should You Consider Meth Addiction Rehab?

In general, you should consider going to rehab if you are committed to overcoming meth addiction. After all, the first step in overcoming any addiction is to consider getting professional help. Getting admitted into a meth addiction treatment program at an accredited and licensed rehab facility allows you to get assessed, diagnosed, and then treated by medical professionals.

For most people struggling with a meth addiction, the medical detox process is not only exhausting but also essential. Undergoing detox means experiencing withdrawal symptoms, some of which can be very uncomfortable and even life-threatening. This is part of why most experts recommend seeking professional help when it comes to addiction treatment. The reason? People wanting to detox can do so with medical supervision and without endangering their lives.

Detoxing is very difficult to get through without medical attention. Therefore, the sobriety that begins after the process can’t happen without some sort of mental health treatment to support it. Most meth addiction treatment programs include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). This helps clients focus on shifting from negative behaviors, emotions, and thought patterns to positive and healthy ones.