Meth Withdrawal, Treatment, and Rehab: Finding Help in Orange County
Meth is a potent and highly addictive stimulant that affects the central nervous system. It is used as a recreational drug and takes the form of an odorless crystalline powder. A medically supervised meth rehab program is a proven way of dealing with withdrawal symptoms and the addiction itself. Here in Orange County, our meth rehab facility can help you overcome your addiction and set you on a path toward long-term sobriety.
Meth Addiction
Methamphetamine, or what is commonly known as meth, affects the brain the same way heroin does, flooding the brain with a feel-good organic chemical called dopamine. Dopamine is usually issued in response to a behavior associated with survival, such as eating food that one craves or while having sex. Meth skips these conditions and induces a dopamine rush, which is at a much higher level than what the body normally allows. This higher level of “high” is what causes to users to get hooked on the drug.
Abandoning meth use is anything but easy. Because the drug’s potency leads to dependency, users attempting to stop using it often experience a “crash” marked by a feeling of extreme fatigue, which can last for weeks. Meth’s withdrawal symptoms are debilitating causing some users to use more meth to alleviate their pain. This will eventually trap a user in a hopeless spiral of repeated drug use.
Symptoms of Meth Withdrawal
Meth withdrawal symptoms vary from one person to another. Those attempting to stop from meth use often experience fatigue, insomnia, sweating, anxiety, nausea, fever, dehydration, stomach aches, and severe depression, including suicidal thoughts.
The severity of these symptoms will depend on some factors, such as length of time of meth use, the amount of drug used, frequency and method of use, and other substances abused in tandem with meth. While the length of this withdrawal period varies, the most acute phases often peaks at the second or third day after the last use, and may begin to die down after a week. Psychological symptoms, however, such as mood swings, intense drug cravings, and poor sleep can persist for weeks, while depression and anxiety can last from months to years.
The effects of meth withdrawal are too powerful, especially among those who realized too late that they have an addiction problem. In these cases, the first step toward treatment is undergoing a detox program to completely remove meth from the body.
Treatment of Meth Addiction
A comprehensive meth treatment plan is needed to fully recover from meth addiction. This plan would involve detoxification, counseling, and therapy. Detox will be responsible from removing any residual presence of meth from the body and help it adjust to a life without it. Counselling will handle the psychological aspect of substance abuse, in addition to teaching the recovering user how to maintain sobriety for the long term. Meth is a difficult drug to recover from and those who attempt to quit alone often fail to experience lasting results. This is why undergoing treatment in an inpatient facility is often recommended, especially to those who are heavy users.
Intervention for Meth Addiction
Intervention may be the first step to helping one to get help for meth addiction. The problem with this approach is that friends and family often don’t know what to tell an addict. Meth abusers are also prone to violence when confronted. For this reason, intervention specialists are often brought in to speak to the user motivate them to seek help.
Inpatient Meth Rehab
Inpatient programs for meth addiction is a better route if a patient is a long-term user and is exhibiting severe withdrawal symptoms. Meth withdrawal symptoms are painful, which means that a recovering user not supervised medically can easily relapse just to escape the discomfort cause by these symptoms. Inpatient rehab facilities offer a safe place where users can recover minus temptations and triggers. Inpatient programs can last from one to three months, or longer, depending on one’s needs.
Outpatient Meth Program
On the other hand, an outpatient rehabilitation program may be the best option for someone who has a weaker addiction or simply has obligations that he or she can’t leave. Outpatient programs are part-time, allowing the recovering user to keep going to work or school during the day. These typically require 10 to 12 hours a week spent at a local treatment center for detox and counseling.
Those with milder addictions can settle take the outpatient route. Outpatient programs can help recovering users get the detox and counselling they need through weekly visits. This option is recommended for those who have obligations that prevent him or her from checking in. Outpatient treatment is also recommended to individuals who have just completed an inpatient program to increase their chance of remaining sober long after they left rehab.
Counselling for Meth Addiction
After completing detox, formal counselling can begin. Here, therapists help recovering users identify the underlying causes of their addiction and offer the support needed to overcome those issues. Therapists also teach patients how to manage triggers and temptations that lead back to meth use. Cognitive behavior therapy is one commonly employed type of therapy.
First Step to Meth Addiction Treatment
The first step to freeing one from his or her meth addiction is quitting, and then seeking help. Treatment options are widely available for anyone struggling with any kind of substance addiction. Financial assistance are also available from local- and state-funded sources. If your loved one is suffering from meth addiction, contact an addiction professional today.
Orange County Meth Rehab
Our treatment programs in Orange County offer a complete treatment program that integrates mental health, substance abuse, and primary care services. We offer detox, both 12-step and SMART recovery groups, and a comprehensive drug treatment program. We are not a one size fits all treatment facility, and this sets us apart from other treatment centers. Our treatment plans in Orange County are customized to each patient’s needs and preferences and are administered by our staff of highly motivated and expert professionals.
We Can Help
We believe and have proven many times that addictions can be effectively and safely treated. Our Orange County meth rehab facility offers inpatient and outpatient care for addiction and our aftercare programs ensure that you have the tools you need to maintain sobriety when the formal treatment is through.
We can help you find the recovery you’ve been looking for, and all you need to begin is call. Contact us to find out more about how we can help you take back your life from addiction.
