Methamphetamine Recovery
Methamphetamines are highly addictive, and withdrawal can result in depression or other mental health problems. This drug is incredibly dangerous and can be fatal after just one use. If you or a loved one are struggle with methamphetamine addiction, a sober living home like Magnolia Recovery may be the right choice to help you find and stay on the path to recovery.
Magnolia Recovery is a 12-Step Immersion home offering a safe, temptation free environment outside of Charleston, SC to work through the 12-steps. Contact us to learn more.
What is Methamphetamine?
Methamphetamines come from the ephedra plant, and amphetamines were used frequently in medicine in years past. Amphetamines are still found in decongestants and weight loss drugs. However, they have been misused for their stimulant properties and so became a controlled substance in the 1970s.
Methamphetamines stimulate a massive rush of dopamine, which is the chemical in the brain that is active in the reward and pleasure center of the brain. Because it stimulates the production of much more dopamine than the brain is capable of producing, more and more meth is required to produce the same effects after it’s been used once. This is how addiction develops.
Methamphetamines typically come in two forms: meth and crystal meth. Meth is a powder that is smoked or injected. Crystal meth is of course in the form of crystals, which are most often smoked. Both are often mixed with other chemicals and drugs, including antidepressants and opioids, which makes using this drug even more dangerous.
Symptoms of Meth Use
There is also a high risk for meth users to contract HIV/AIDS if they inject the substance with shared needles. Other long-term risks include brain damage, seizures, and overdose, which can be fatal.
Side effects of using meth can last for 30 minutes up to 8-24 hours after use and include hyperactivity, anxiety, insomnia, weight loss, increased wakefulness/staying up for days at a time, paranoia, and excessive alertness.
Recovery Options
A few recovery options exist for those who are addicted to methamphetamines.
Withdrawal Detox. Long-term meth use can severely damage the dopamine receptors in the brain. This requires more and more meth to produce the same effect, and it also can result in a complete inability to experience pleasures once one has stopped using meth.
Though withdrawal side effects of stopping meth use are not as severe as with other substances, the damage to dopamine receptors caused by long-term use can have an impact that lasts years. Depression can often arise from meth withdrawal, which may require the expertise of mental health professionals.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). This form of therapy, when guided by a licensed counselor, can help you learn how to handle temptation and the triggers that caused you to use meth in the first place. It can transform your perspective to one that avoids using meth and is able to handle stressful situations without turning to substance abuse.
A Sober Living Home. A sober living home like Magnolia Farm is a safe space where you can pursue sobriety and freedom from addiction in a temptation-free environment. You’ll find a supportive community of like-minded women who are all seeking a sober, healthy, vibrant life and a fresh start.
Magnolia Farm’s rural location can provide you with a focused, tranquil, and peaceful environment as you recover. The community of women around you will give you encouragement and support your need to break free of your addiction.
Find Hope in Sobriety
If you or a loved one are struggling with methamphetamine addiction, you can find hope at Magnolia Farm. We offer a peaceful living community where you can work toward sober living with the support and guidance of a community in a beautiful, rural setting. Contact us today to learn more.