Getting Help for Meth Addiction
Meth is among the most accessible and widely spread illegal drugs on the market. Its powerful mind-altering effect means addiction can develop very quickly, which can have horrible consequences for the person’s health and the well-being of the people around them. Recovery is possible, but in many cases, meth addiction is very severe and requires treatment at a residential centre so that all aspects of the illness can be effectively addressed.
Defining Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine (also its crystal form) is a mind-altering psychostimulant drug made from synthetic materials. The drug carries many names, including tweak, ice, rock candy, shizzo, fire, zoom, crank, tweak, Tina, and many others. A person can take meth by pill, injection, snorting, and smoking the substance, which can come in the form of odourless glass shards, tasteless powder, and in various colours ranging from light pink, white and even brown.
Meth is one of the most addictive and popular drugs because of its powerful effect on a person’s brain chemistry and how it is produced.
Taking meth produces an intense feeling of euphoria and a long-lasting rush of excitement, pleasure and energy. The pleasant and intoxicating feelings arise because the substance hijacks the brain’s central nervous system, encouraging the production of “feel good” chemicals like dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. The sudden rush makes the person feel more confident, stronger, productive and capable while raising their heartbeat, blood pressure and body temperature.
The intensity of the “high” which follows after the initial rush of energy and how long the whole mind-altering experience lasts depends on the way it was injected, sniffing takes effect more quickly than swallowing a pill. Elderly people or those with more body weight can retain the drug in their system for longer. The experience can feel exhilarating and empowering, pushing people to continue consuming in one form or another.
The second reason behind meth’s popularity is how widespread and accessible it is. The fact that you can make meth from household products has led to the substance being labelled “the poor man’s cocaine”. Meth can be made from ephedrine found in over-the-counter cold medicines, brake fluid, drain cleaners, lithium car batteries, nail polish, paint thinner, antifreeze, and other household items. The accessibility also makes it very dangerous since improper production through the use of cheap materials can be hazardous and even life-threatening.
Join many others who have overcome meth addiction at the Providence Projects
How Do You Get Addicted to Meth?
You may get an addiction to a drug like methamphetamine because substance use leads to physical and psychological dependence, making you want to continue using meth to retain the feeling and avoid the withdrawal symptoms.
Taking meth comes with a sudden rush of physical and mental energy and a strong feeling of euphoria, enhanced mental alertness and focus and a boost of confidence. The “high” which persists after the initial rush can make a person feel strong, productive, and happy. The feeling itself is very addictive, especially to people who may struggle with their self-worth or have mental health issues, which is why the temptation to take another dose and get the same experience is very high.
Unfortunately, the feeling a person gets from their first few doses is uniquely strong because the body isn’t used to the substance. As time passes and the body builds a tolerance to meth, many people feel an uncontrollable desire to continue with more frequent and higher doses in pursuit of the same intense emotional experience. As a result, a vicious cycle of addiction begins where a person gets only more and more addicted.
The second factor which increases the chance of addiction is when users continue drug use to avoid withdrawal symptoms. The effects of meth can last for up to six to twelve hours when the effect wears off, many users spend a whole day sleeping, only to later feel lethargic and fatigued, apathetic to everything, unable to foster motivation for work, and generally feeling down. The withdrawal symptoms tend to get more intense the more you’ve used and the longer the addiction goes, making many users constantly use to avoid the crash altogether.
What Are The Dangers of Meth Addiction?
A meth addiction is dangerous and even life-threatening because the person is in constant danger of experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms while also suffering from immense harm to their physical and mental health if the methamphetamine addiction continues.
Side effects and withdrawal symptoms of meth addiction include:
- Flu-like symptoms
- Muscle cramps
- Nausea and dizziness
- Stomach pains and constipation
- Intense headaches
- Dry mouth
- Lack of hunger or fluctuations in appetite
- Irritability and impulsivity
- Anxiety
- Heightened sensitivity to stress
- Restlessness
- Sleep disruptions and insomnia
- Mood swings
- Symptoms of depression
- Overwhelming cravings
Long-term damage to your physical and mental health due to meth addiction can include:
- Considerable weight loss
- Serious dental issues
- Skill sores and wounds due to itching and scratching
- Kidney damage and failure
- Cardiovascular issues and heart disease
- Weakening of the immune system
- Delirium and detachment from reality
- Hallucinations and visions
- Serious anxiety issues and panic attacks
- Severe emotional numbness and apathy
- Exacerbation of existing mental health issues
How Does Rehab For Meth Addiction Work?
Treating methamphetamine addiction requires a holistic approach, which addresses the numerous underlying issues that have caused, and continue to cause crystal meth abuse.
Before anything else, crystal meth addiction treatment must start with a comprehensive assessment of a person’s condition by a qualified addiction counsellor. Multiple factors, like the severity of the addiction, the impact it has had on a person’s life and that of their family, their general mental health, possible co-occurring conditions and unique circumstances, must all be thoroughly examined to craft an appropriate and tailored plan that meets their unique needs.
For example, somebody may be admitted with a dual diagnosis of meth addiction and depression while the examination also found out their behaviour had caused a lot of strain among the family. As a result, the therapy with an individual counsellor will seek to untangle how depression may have caused the craving for relief through meth usage, the underlying psychological reasons that must be addressed, and family therapy may be employed to fix the strained relationships the client has with their relatives so that support networks are re-established.
Once a personalized methamphetamine addiction treatment plan is created, then the meth detoxification process can begin. Drug abuse recovery, especially for severe cases like meth addiction, requires the elimination of the physical dependence that a person’s body has developed on the substance.
Going “cold turkey” by suddenly stopping any substance intake is very dangerous because it shocks your system and causes severe withdrawal symptoms that can put your health at risk. During a meth detox at the Providence Project, our staff will supervise and support you (or your loved one) to limit any symptoms.
But not everyone will need to detox. If you, however, need one, we conduct detox in a safe and controlled environment under the protection of medical professionals who guide people through the process and are capable of responding to any health complication or emergency. Replacement drugs or other types of medication may be used if necessary to ease the severity of the symptoms.
Alongside the detoxification process and until the end of a person’s stay in residential rehab, treatment for substance abuse involves multiple therapeutic tools used to help a person learn more about the origins of their addiction, heal the relationship they have with themselves and family, and learn effective strategies to cope with cravings, self-doubt, and moments of hopelessness and despair.
Detox Programme Residential Treatment
Therapies Used to Treat Meth Addiction
The best way of enhancing drug abuse recovery chances is to treat the damage that addiction has done to the body and the mind. At The Providence Projects, we offer a wide variety of therapeutic options that seek to uplift and maintain your mental health.
Each method we use is evidence-based and follows the latest scientific discoveries regarding addiction treatment. For example, our addiction counsellors rely on science-based approaches to addiction treatment through CBT and DBT, while more recently, we’ve added new treatments, like mindfulness and meditation, to help patients manage anxiety and stressful thoughts.
No two cases of substance abuse treatment will work in the same way, which is why we focus on providing a holistic set of activities and mental health options that you can experiment with while supported and guided by your individual counsellor.
The therapeutic options we offer:
- One-on-one therapy with an addiction counsellor
- Group therapy and support groups
- Family and relationship therapy
- Self-esteem work
- Workshops on avoiding relapse and management of cravings
- Motivation therapy
- Music therapy
- Stress and anxiety management
- Anger management
- Recovery skills classes
- Exercise classes
- Mindfulness and meditation practices
- Alternative therapy approaches
Enrolling into our various therapeutic options offers the following benefits:
- Addressing the underlying psychological, emotional and social reasons that have started and worsened your addiction
- Helping to remove irrational and self-sabotaging thoughts to improve confidence and build a positive self-image
- Removing negative and harmful habits and slowly building up new and healthier alternatives
- Re-defining who you are and re-discovering what motivates you and drives you to progress in a safe, supportive and controlled environment with no distractions
- Learning to better understand your emotions and the irrational and harmful thought patterns that you may have developed in the past
- Finding strength, emotional support, and inspiration by spending time and growing together with other people who are going through the same journey
Our admissions team are here to support you through the meth recovery process. Speak to us via phone, email or Livechat today.
Aftercare for Meth Addiction
Treatment must continue after a person steps out of the clinic doors since the fight against addiction is a life-long journey. Many people are tempted to return to old habits once they return to familiar environments that activate well-known associations and triggers. At The Providence Projects, we also offer an effective aftercare programme to help manage the various factors, temptations and cravings that have led to addiction in the beginning.
Everyone who steps into The Providence Projects becomes part of the family, and we won’t abandon a loved one. The aftercare programme we offer is similarly personalized to a person’s unique needs, current schedule and individual preferences. It usually involves emotional support, accountability checks and guidance with one-on-one therapy sessions, help to start participating in support groups and other community-based approaches to therapy.
Aftercare & Support
Paying for Treatment
We understand that meth rehab costs are an important factor when chooeing a treatment provider for yourself or a loved one. Most meth rehab facilities aren’t cheap, but when the Providence Projects opened in 1996, our founder Steve Spiegel was determined to provide affordable, effective, high-quality care. Our mission for addiction treatment is to be accessible.
Our rehab prices are £7,500 for the first four weeks, then there is a weekly charge of £1,300 if you choose to stay longer.
Costs Contact Us
Why Choose Us?
If you are looking for a team of professionals who are dedicated to helping you achieve long-term recovery, then the meth rehabilitation programme at the Providence Projects, which incorporates leading, cutting-edge therapies, designed specifically to explore and address addictions, is the right choice.
Here are just a few more reasons why you should choose the Providence Projects for meth treatment:
- We have a ‘Good’ rating from the CQC
- We have hundreds of positive Google reviews from real clients
- We offer one of the most affordable meth rehab programmes in the UK
- Many of our addiction counsellors, therapists and support workers are in recovery themselves
- We can safely collect you from your home and bring you to our treatment centre.
- We have helped thousands of individuals and their families recover from drug addiction.
Why Choose Us?
Is There Help for Meth Addicts on the NHS?
Yes, NHS offers various support options for every person who has lived in the UK for a long time and suffers from substance abuse. To get help in treating meth addiction, you should contact a general practitioner (GP) who will do a thorough evaluation, after which they will treat you in their office or give you a reference to a local drug service.
In most cases, NHS pays for treatment programs, which can be done through outpatient services or by staying in a hospital. For example, treatment at a local drug service will involve an interview where you are asked about the type of drugs you use, your professional and family situation, and get your mental health assessed, after which you will get a drug worker assigned who will do periodic supervision. There are several treatment options, the one you choose will depend on your unique needs, preferences and the suggestions from the drug worker.
Periodic supervision by a drug works in an outpatient programme can be beneficial due to the guidance it gives and the accountability mechanism it provides. However, in many cases of severe crystal meth addiction, it’s insufficient because the person needs a safe and supervised environment that doesn’t cause the same triggers or has access to the substance.
Residential treatment, which involves a medically-assisted detox programme, clearly established productive and therapeutic activities that must be followed and offer a safe and inclusive space, may be preferable for more severe cases.
Unfortunately, most rehab centres are not covered by the NHS. Your local addiction centre or insurance may offer financial help to partly or mostly cover a residential treatment stay, but that happens in a small number of cases. For instance, local addiction centres may finance residential treatment if all other public options have been exhausted and were concluded as insufficient to treat a person’s addiction.
For more information around funding or free addiction services, please click on one of the below links.
Public Health England – www.gov.uk
NHS Drug Support –
NHS treatment options
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