Methamphetamine Addiction Intervention and Treatment in California
Methamphetamine addiction intervention and treatment in California include various options to help families with a loved one addicted to methamphetamine. Crystal meth addiction is a dangerous problem and affects men and women from all demographics. The drug rehabilitation process for treating methamphetamine addiction involves drug detox, inpatient drug rehab, outpatient drug rehab, and aftercare support programs. When searching for a methamphetamine addiction treatment center in California, there are different options to consider. Initially, a family should contact their health insurance provider because private or state health insurance plans cover some portion of drug rehab. In addition, there is an addiction assessment with qualified healthcare professionals or a drug rehab referral agency. The purpose of an assessment is to determine the extent and severity of addiction and what drug rehab methods are needed. Family intervention specialists also help families locate drug rehab centers during the planning of an intervention.
What is Methamphetamine, and How is it Used?
Methamphetamine is a powerfully addictive stimulant drug that affects the central nervous system. The drug looks like glass fragments or shiny bluish-white rocks. The drug is chemically similar to amphetamines, which are used in different prescription stimulants. When methamphetamine is used, it is done through smoking, swallowing, snorting, or injecting the powder that has been dissolved in water/alcohol. The effects of methamphetamine start and fade quickly, and drug users often use repeated doses in a binge and crash pattern. Regular methamphetamine is a pill or powder form, and crystal meth resembles glass fragments. Chronic methamphetamine use causes violent behavior, confusion, insomnia, paranoia, aggression, visual and auditory hallucinations, and delusions. Drugs that are similar to methamphetamine are cocaine and stimulant pharmaceuticals like amphetamines and methylphenidate. Drug rehab programs in California are the best options to treat all severity of methamphetamine addiction.
What are Common Street Names for Methamphetamine
Some of the common street names for methamphetamine include Batu, Bikers Coffee, Black Beauties, Chalk, Chicken Feed, Crank, Crystal, Glass, Go-Fast, Ice, Meth, Poor Mans Cocaine, Shards, Tina, Tweak, Uppers, and Yaba. In the United States, methamphetamine is listed as a Schedule II stimulant under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. This means that the drug has a high potential for abuse and a currently accepted medical use approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Methamphetamine addiction is a common problem in California. Drug rehab centers in California provide the necessary detox and therapy to treat meth addiction.
What Causes Methamphetamine Addiction?
When methamphetamine is used, it increases the amount of the natural chemical dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is involved in body movement, motivation, and reinforcement of rewarding behaviors. Methamphetamine has the ability to rapidly release high levels of dopamine in reward areas of the brain and reinforce drug-taking behavior. Drug users then have the urge to want to repeat the experience over and over again. Methamphetamine addiction occurs with recreational drug use and with daily drug use. The drug is highly addictive, and the drug causes physical and psychological dependence. The short-term effects of methamphetamine cause increased wakefulness and physical activity, decreased appetite, faster breathing, rapid and or irregular heartbeat, and increased blood pressure and body temperature. The long-term use of methamphetamine can lead to extreme weight loss, addiction, dental problems, anxiety, changes in brain structure and function, confusion, memory loss, sleeping problems, violent behavior, paranoia, and hallucinations. Methamphetamine addiction must be treated with drug detox and residential or outpatient drug rehab programs in California.
Methamphetamine Addiction Treatment and Detox in California
Methamphetamine is a highly addictive drug, and when a person stops taking it, they experience withdrawal symptoms. Methamphetamine addiction treatment and detox in California involve multiple steps, and the first step involves drug detox. Methamphetamine withdrawal is not as severe compared to other forms of drug addiction. Typical withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, fatigue, severe depression, psychosis, drug cravings, and paranoia. Typically, an addiction assessment would determine what type of drug detox is needed. Medically supervised drug detox helps addicts that are addicted to methamphetamine and other substances that create dangerous withdrawal symptoms. Standard detox is a good option for meth addiction and helps with the transition to a drug rehab center.
Treating methamphetamine addiction involves residential or outpatient drug rehab in California. Long-term drug rehab is usually the better option because more counseling and therapy are offered. Behavioral therapies are effective in treating meth addiction, like cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational incentives, 12-step facilitation, and family-based therapies. Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps the addict recognize, avoid, and cope with situations likely to trigger drug use. It is also important for a recovering meth addict to consider aftercare support. Twelve-step support groups in California are excellent options, and so are sober living homes or other forms of peer support. Having support after drug rehab is critical because it contributes to preventing relapse and building a stronger foundation.
Family Intervention for Methamphetamine Addiction in California
Someone struggling with a methamphetamine addiction is not always willing to accept help. Most families must organize a family intervention to help motivate their loved one to accept drug rehab. Family intervention is a carefully planned process with the help of a professional interventionist, friends, and family members of the addict. A family intervention brings these individuals together to confront the drug addict about their drug use and its impact on the family and themselves. The best way to plan and organize a family intervention is by hiring a professional interventionist.
According to the California Behavioral Health Barometer, among young adults aged 18 to 25 in California, the annual average percentage of illicit drug use disorders was 8%. Overall, this was similar to the national and regional average. In addition, among people aged 12 and older in California, the annual percentage of illicit drug use disorder in the past year was 3.4%. These numbers include methamphetamine use, and people from all age groups struggle with this addiction.
Sources-
NIDA. “Methamphetamine DrugFacts.” National Institute on Drug Abuse, 16 May. 2019, https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/methamphetamine
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Behavioral Health Barometer: California, Volume 6: Indicators as measured through the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health and the National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services. HHS Publication No. SMA–20–Baro–19–CA. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2020. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt32821/California-BH-Barometer_Volume6.pdf
