Methamphetamine Addiction Intervention Treatment in Pennsylvania
Methamphetamine addiction intervention treatment in Pennsylvania involves family intervention services, drug detoxification programs, residential drug rehabilitation, and outpatient substance abuse treatment. Families need to find the best possible drug rehabilitation programs. Generally, no one form of drug rehab is suitable for every person. Treatment settings and interventions should meet the needs of the person attending drug rehab. An addiction assessment is a beneficial tool to utilize, and this aims to evaluate the addict and recommend drug rehabilitation programs in Pennsylvania. Methamphetamine is a dangerous drug and impacts people from all age groups. Meth addiction becomes difficult to treat without proper early intervention and proper drug rehab.
What Is Methamphetamine?
Methamphetamine is a powerfully addictive stimulant drug affecting the central nervous system. Crystal methamphetamine looks like glass or shiny bluish-white rocks when produced. Methamphetamine is chemically similar to amphetamine, a common prescription drug. Methamphetamine can be smoked, snorted, injected, or ingested orally to achieve euphoric effects.
However, smoking or injecting the drug causes an immediate rush that lasts for a few minutes. The high from the drug starts and fades quickly, causing addicts to engage in a “binge and crash” pattern of drug use. In some cases, people take methamphetamine in the form of binging, known as a run, giving up sleep and food while taking the drug every few hours, staying up for several days at a time. Drug rehabilitation centers in Pennsylvania treat all severity of methamphetamine addiction. Meth addiction impacts people from all age groups making treatment essential.
Street Names for Methamphetamine
Drug dealers use street names for methamphetamine. Common street names for methamphetamine include speed, crank, tweak, chalk, Tina, and gak. There are many other street names and nicknames for meth, and the list continues to evolve as the abuse of this drug continues. Current popular slang terms for meth include Speed, Crank, Tweek, Uppers, Chalk, Christina, Tina, Go fast, Cookies, Cotton candy, Dunk, Gak, Go-go juice, No doze, White cross, Pookie, Rocket fuel, Scooby Snax, Wash, Trash and Garbage. Combing methamphetamine with cocaine, ecstasy, or crack cocaine is referred to as Twisters, Hugs & Kisses, Fire, Shabu, Biker Coffee, and Party & Play.
The Effects of Methamphetamine on the Mind and Body
Methamphetamine is abused for its pleasurable and stimulating effects. The drug increases the amount of the natural chemical dopamine in the body. Dopamine is a brain chemical that is involved in motivation, pleasure, and motor function. Methamphetamine acts on parts of the brain involved in reward. Methamphetamine is more dangerous than other stimulants because a larger percentage of the drug remains unchanged in the body, causing lingering effects. The drug remains in the brain longer, extending the stimulant effects.
Common side effects of methamphetamine abuse include increased distractibility, nausea, dry mouth, tremors, muscle twitching, memory loss, aggressive behavior, weight loss, skin sores from intense itching, rapid and irregular heart rate, increased blood pressure, anxiety, confusion, and insomnia. There is also an increased risk of heart problems, tooth decay, a higher risk of Parkinson’s disease and hepatitis for those who inject the drug.
Additionally, methamphetamine use causes psychosis leading to paranoia, aggression, visual and auditory hallucinations, mood disturbances, and delusions. Psychotic symptoms can last for months or years after discontinuing methamphetamine use. Methamphetamine also has a high potential for abuse and dependence. Drug tolerance develops quickly, and psychological addiction develops quickly. After prolonged use, the drug user cannot produce dopamine naturally and requires the drug to feel normal. Drug detoxification programs in Pennsylvania help a patient through difficult withdrawal symptoms alleviating drug cravings.
Methamphetamine Drug Addiction Treatment and Detox in Pennsylvania
Methamphetamine drug addiction treatment and detox in Pennsylvania include clinical drug detox programs, residential drug rehab, outpatient drug rehabilitation, and aftercare support. Treating meth addiction involves different steps, and there is a general process involved. The first step when treating methamphetamine addiction is a clinical drug detox program. Drug detox manages withdrawal symptoms and alleviates drug cravings. Common withdrawal symptoms can include anxiety, cravings, depression, sleep problems, increased appetite, lack of energy, hallucinations, paranoia, nausea, and dehydration.
After completing drug detox, the next phase of treatment should involve attending a residential or outpatient drug rehabilitation program in Pennsylvania. Drug rehab involves either long-term or short-term treatment. Long-term drug rehab programs usually last three to six months, whereas short-term drug rehab can last three to six weeks. Typically, the severity and extent of drug addiction determine what length of time is needed in treatment. The counseling and therapy methodologies usually involve traditional and non-traditional approaches.
Common traditional approaches include behavioral therapies, 12-step facilitation, family-based counseling, and individual counseling. Non-traditional treatment involves holistic treatment, faith-based treatment, and experiential therapy approaches. In addition, it is crucial to consider aftercare support or recovery support. Common recovery options for meth addiction are 12-step meetings, peer support groups, or sober living homes in Pennsylvania. Drug rehabilitation should be well-rounded and focus on healing the mind, body, and spirit.
Methamphetamine Addiction Intervention in Pennsylvania
Methamphetamine addiction intervention in Pennsylvania is a process that involves hiring a professional interventionist. Most people addicted to methamphetamine are unwilling to accept treatment or admit they have a drug addiction. A family intervention aims to confront the addict about the consequences of their drug addiction. Drug intervention demonstrates how the addict’s drug use has impacted their life and the lives of their family. The best way to plan and organize a family intervention is by hiring a professional interventionist in Pennsylvania.
Families should never wait when organizing a family intervention because methamphetamine addiction becomes progressively worse. Drug intervention helps the family regain control, set clear boundaries, and take the necessary steps to get the addict committed to rehabilitation. Professional interventionists also help the family address problems with co-dependency and enabling. Drug intervention is a worthwhile process and should be used by the family.
Sources-
www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/methamphetamine
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/methamphetamine/overview
