Methamphetamine Addiction

Methamphetamine Addiction is another of the major drug-related problems that is destroying lives by the thousands, both in the U.S. and abroad. Methamphetamines are known by many names such as 'crank', 'speed', 'meth', or 'tweaked'. Some users call it 'crystal meth' for short. Users needing methamphetamine detox are said to be 'tweaked' or 'wired' and may exhibit bizarre repetitive or compulsive behavior.

In our Methamphetamine Outpatient Detox and day treatment programs, we place our patients on a protocol in which they can be monitored and detoxified safely and comfortably using medication. The medication brings their anxiety and agitation down to a manageable level, and helps to alleviate the side effects of withdrawal. These side effects can include extreme paranoia, anxiety, mood swings, sleeplessness and irrational fear.

Who needs methamphetamine detox?

Signs of needing methamphetamine detox may include rapid weight loss, sleeplessness and irritability. Heavy users tend to become paranoid and may be suspicious of those closest to them. These suspicions can evolve into fantastic, complex plots that the user believes are aimed at harming or incarcerating him. People who need methamphetamine detox may become angry and violent while under the influence and tend to leave their homes for days with no explanation, returning home tired and bedraggled.

Meth users, like cocaine users, may fabricate fantastic stories to explain why they never seem to be able to show up on time or at all. These stories offer perfectly logical explanations for missing money and items, as well as plausible reasons for unexplained absences. Users of the drug methamphetamine seem fuelled by a desire to constantly obtain more of the drug regardless of consequences to self, family and friends.

Generally speaking, methamphetamine treatment tends to have a lower success rate than other drug detox. The most commonly cited reason for this is that methamphetamine users can be deep in denial over methamphetamine usage and may try to minimize reported problems. It is important to involve family members in methamphetamine detox to support and encourage those that are on the road to recovery.

Methamphetamine detox is not life threatening but may require the use of medications as prescribed by a doctor during meth detox. At Sovereign Health of California, we offer meth patients the advantages of dual diagnosis treatment, meaning we help them recover from other problems (physical, mental, emotional, motivational, etc.) that often accompany a major addiction.