Crystal Meth addiction cannot be understood from the outside. It can only be grasped intimately, from inside the heart of the addict and their family. Information, dramatic shows on TV, before and after pictures we click past online – none of these approach the core of a family’s suffering.
The crystal meth addict is a sick person, one who has forfeited their power of choice. They cannot stop on their own. Compassionate professional treatment is almost always required. Fortunately, such treatment exists. The physical and emotional effects of meth addiction are devastating, but hope is always in reach. If your family is suffering the terrors of crystal meth addiction, please act on that hope right away.
An Aerial View of Crystal Meth Addiction
Methamphetamine is one of the most addictive drugs in the world. It has destroyed countless lives and stunted the growth of many others. Meth addiction is a quick descent into hell, and sometimes takes entire communities down with it. Help exists in the form of highly specialized meth addiction treatment programs. These facilities have helped hundreds of families escape the horrors of crystal meth and begin to rebuild their lives.
Crystal meth is occasionally prescribed for obesity and Attention Deficit Disorder, but most people use the illegal street version. Meth can be taken orally, smoked, snorted, or injected. Because of its short-lasting high and incredibly addictive properties, methamphetamine users often deteriorate very quickly after the first few uses. Treatment centers all over the country see thousands of such cases every year. These are full-fledged human beings, people whose lives have imploded because of an awful and fateful choice.
The Downward Spiral
Every meth user is different, but they do tend to follow a general pattern of abuse. Typically, they begin by using small amounts of the drug. However, if they indulge even a few too many times, they’ll find the withdrawal symptoms too uncomfortable stop. This leads to a higher tolerance and increased usage. For most meth users, this is an inflection point. Either something happens to stop their using or they continue to use a drug that’s already becoming less and less appealing.
If they continue, the person will then experiment with larger amounts of the drug. This usually leads to dependence and the vicious cycle of addiction. This is the point when it starts to become obvious to anyone who’s paying attention. Eventually, they might start using the drug almost every day. At this point, they’re no longer using for recreational purposes or to ‘feel good.’ Instead, they’re using because they feel they don’t have a choice anymore. They have to continue using to prevent withdrawal symptoms and to cope with daily life.
Warning Signs of Abuse
Usually, chronic meth users can’t hide their addiction for long. This is the case with most street drugs, but it’s especially true when it comes to methamphetamine. The nature of the drug itself brings about physical changes rather quickly and seems to force the user into erratic behavior.
Here are some of the warning signs of methamphetamine abuse:
- The user isolates from friends and family
- They stop participating in activities they used to enjoy
- Consistent financial problems
- Mood swings
- Erratic behavior
- Strained relationships and frequent conflicts
- Changes in personality
- Disrupted sleep patterns
The Solution to Crystal Meth Addiction
Meth addiction treatment can be particularly difficult because of the drug’s surface appeal. It delivers an intense and almost immediate surge of euphoria, along with increased mental alertness and a loss of inhibitions. It also allows users to go for long periods of time without eating or sleeping, giving them an inflated sense of power and control.
Understanding this desperate need for control is one of the keys to treating this human problem. Most addicts begin to abuse drugs because they do not feel empowered to live their own unique lives, and the meth user is no exception. It is imperative that the meth addict begin to have a sense of their given self-worth and dignity. This must be one of the first goals of any successful treatment.
There are highly effective forms of treatment for this disease. They consist of individual and group therapies, many of which are designed to increase self-esteem and feelings of inclusion. When an addict feels like they are part of something bigger than themselves recovery is possible.
To Reduce Suffering is a Welcome Obligation
Families need not despair. Hope remains for them and their loved ones in the form of a treatment facility. There is one out there that fits your means. Recovery from meth addiction is always possible, provided the family seeks help.
The world can be a cold place for persons with substance abuse problems. It casts a particularly cruel judgment on meth addicts. This is not only misguided and incorrect. It is also a huge part of the problem. We cannot participate any longer. It is our duty to change this mindset one suffering addict at a time.