Methamphetamine, or meth, is a powerfully addictive drug. It’s a stimulant, which means it increases functioning in areas of your brain related to focus, energy, and pleasure. It looks like a white power but can also be found in a glass form called “crystal meth.”
Meth can be consumed in several ways:
Using meth in any form can be deadly because it increases your heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, and body temperature—often to a point your body cannot handle. It’s also extremely difficult to quit. If you’re using meth, you should seek professional treatment at an addiction center as soon as possible.
How Do I Know I’m Addicted to Meth?
Meth is addictive because using it even once triggers chemical changes in your brain. It forces your brain to produce a dangerously high amount of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps control your brain’s reward and pleasure centers. Meth damages the dopamine-producing cells in your brain and makes it hard for you to find enjoyment in anything else.
The biggest sign of a meth addiction is feeling depressed or empty when coming down off a “high.”
Physical signs of meth addiction include:
- Weight loss
- Sleep deprivation
- Tooth decay & gum disease (often referred to as “meth mouth”)
Meth causes mental health and behavioral signs of addiction as well, which you may notice or loved ones may point out to you:
- Paranoia and isolation
- Extreme mood swings
- Decreased libido
- Aggressive behavior
How Do I Recover from a Meth Addiction?
People often become addicted to meth because the drug serves a purpose for them, even if it has many other negative consequences. Meth can help someone:
- Lose weight, as meth has a hunger-suppressing effect
- Stay awake for extended periods of time
- Increase the ability to work or study due to meth’s energy- and focus-enhancing properties
- Suppress emotions like sadness and grief
Co-occurring disorders (dual diagnosis) are common with meth use. Meth is very effective at what it does, and until you become sober, there’s a good chance you won’t realize how powerful the negative effects of meth are. Or you may realize them, but right now the benefits outweigh the costs. Even after you become sober, you’ll likely be tempted to use again to regain those benefits.
This is why it’s vital to seek therapeutic treatment through a rehab center such as Washburn House. By addressing your underlying motivations to use meth, your desire to return to it will dramatically decrease. Then we can teach you how to live a healthy, fulfilling life free of substances.
What Happens When I Get to Washburn House with a Meth Addiction?
When you arrive at Washburn House in Worcester, MA, our medical staff will determine how severe your meth addiction. You can complete a pre-screening assessment over the phone or in-person at our treatment facility in Worcester. We’ll consider all the unique factors of your meth addiction, including:
- How much you use
- How long you’ve been using
- All the ways your substance use impacts your life
Once you’re matched with one of our addiction treatment programs, you’ll be assigned a clinical care team, who will work with you throughout your recovery. They’ll help you develop a personalized treatment plan and an aftercare plan perfect for your needs.
What Is Recovering from a Meth Addiction Like at Washburn House?
Washburn House treatment for methamphetamine addiction is nurturing, strength-based, and highly individualized. You won’t ever be judged for your meth addiction. We view each and every one of our clients as a person suffering from a disease, and our substance abuse treatment is designed to help you fight that disease.
Your recovery journey begins with detox, if necessary. Then you’ll create a treatment plan with help from your care team. You’ll always have a say in the direction of your treatment, and we’ll make note of your priorities and goals. We’ll help you identify your biggest reasons for wanting to be sober and structure your treatment around them.
What Treatment Path Is Right for Me?
Medically Monitored Detox
Exactly what your detox from meth will be like depends on how severely dependent you are on the drug. Depending on this, withdrawal symptoms can start anywhere from a few hours to a few days.
If you are using methamphetamines and another substance, or you require more medical attention, we may recommend our medical detox program, where our skilled nursing and clinical team will monitor you 24 hours a day to keep you safe throughout meth withdrawal.
Withdrawal signs and symptoms can include:
- Severe agitation and aggression
- Extreme mood swings
- Extreme fatigue
Not everyone who comes to Washburn House with a meth addiction needs to move through medically monitored detox. Our admissions staff and medical professionals will help you decide what’s right for you!
Clinically Managed Inpatient Drug Rehab
In this residential treatment program, you will live in our drug and alcohol center in Worcester, MA and benefit from group therapy, individual therapy, and wraparound case management. This is our highest level of care. It allows you to explore in-depth your meth addiction while residing in a warm, supportive, compassionate atmosphere.
Day Treatment/Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
Day treatment involves spending most of your day in addiction treatment and going home in the evenings. You will still benefit from high-quality therapeutic care and will have the added advantage of applying what you learn to life in the community.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
Intensive outpatient care at Washburn House allows you to transition back to your home environment and apply the therapeutic skills and concepts you learn in treatment to your personal relationships and lifestyle.
How Long Does Recovery from a Meth Addiction Take?
Withdrawal symptoms usually peak between 7 and 10 days, but even after acute withdrawal has passed, lingering effects may be felt for a while—even years. These might include depression, cravings, and cognitive difficulties. Through long-term abstinence, these effects usually decrease or disappear.
Substance abuse treatment at Washburn House will not only help you achieve sobriety, but you’ll learn skills for preventing relapse for life.
Does Washburn House Accept My Insurance?
Washburn House accepts most commercial health insurance plans.
What If I Don’t Have Insurance?
We also accept direct payments. Our highest priority is getting you the treatment you need to live your healthiest life. If you aren’t sure how you’ll pay for treatment at Washburn House, give us a call. We’re happy to help you learn how to make your ideal recovery possible.
What Happens When I Leave Washburn House?
Your assigned therapist and case manager follow you all the way through treatment and beyond. Throughout your time at Washburn House, you’ll be looking toward the future and preparing for maintaining your sobriety with the help of a strong support system. These supports will be put into place through a comprehensive relapse prevention plan and aftercare plan.
Meth can take over your life. Step out of its shadow and get back to who you really are with the help of addiction professionals at Washburn House. Call 800-717-3019 today for a free, confidential assessment.