Methamphetamine, commonly known as meth, is a dangerous drug that can destroy a person’s family, career, and life.
If you or your loved one regularly use this drug, our meth addiction treatment center in Denver can help you break the habit and regain control of your life.
By reading this article you will better understand how addiction occurs, the health effects on your body, your options for recovery, and how to get a meth addict to rehab. Use the menu below to jump to the topics that interest you most:
Table of Contents
What is Methamphetamine?
While you may think methamphetamine is a fairly new drug, the origins of it date back to the early part of last century. Meth has a similar structure to the drug amphetamine, which was historically used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), narcolepsy, depression, and obesity. By the 1940s, both amphetamines and methamphetamines became widely available to the public. Methamphetamines were marketed as Methedrine and Desoxyn.
Methamphetamines are stimulants that help increase activity, decrease appetite, and create a better sense of well-being. It can come in the form of a pill or a bitter-tasting white powder. Crystal meth resembles glass fragments or bluish, shiny pebbles. People usually take the drug by snorting, smoking, swallowing, or injecting the powder dissolved in water or alcohol.
In the 1970s, an act passed by Congress, known as the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act, classified the drug as Schedule II. This significantly restricted the way the drug was prescribed and used. In response, black market creation and distribution increased dramatically since the drug is relatively easy to make.
When someone takes meth, they typically feel short-term effects similar to other stimulants, such as cocaine. These include:
- A brief period of euphoria
- Increased energy and wakefulness
- Decreased appetite
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Rapid breathing
- Increased body temperature and blood pressure
Street names for methamphetamines include crank, ice, crystal, speed, chalk, and meth. The “high” from using meth begins almost immediately but fades quickly. Due to this, many people binge on the drug taking several doses until they crash. During this time the person tends to give up food, sleep, and other healthy behaviors to enjoy the rush of the drug. For some users, the binge can last several days. Since a meth binge can lead to erratic behavior and hallucinations, someone going through it may find themselves in vulnerable states leading to health concerns, legal issues, and domestic problems.
The Dangers of Methamphetamine
Since methamphetamines dramatically increase dopamine levels in the brain, every time you take the drug, it rewards the behavior. This positive reinforcement often leads to addiction.
The stimulant high of meth can significantly alter your judgement, leading to high-risk behaviors. This lack of good decision-making can put you in dangerous and vulnerable situations.
Long-term meth use can have serious effects on your health. Those suffering from meth addiction typically experience:
- Anxiety
- Sleeping problems
- Significant weight loss
- Extensive dental problems known as “Meth Mouth”
- Dehydration
- Intense itching sensations leading to skin sores
- Violent behavior
- Difficulty thinking clearly
- Decreased coordination
- Paranoia
- Hallucinations
- Changes in the brain affecting memory and emotional regulation
- Increased risk of Parkinson’s disease
In addition, meth use puts you at a higher risk for infectious diseases if you share needles. Those who are regularly injecting meth have a higher risk for contracting HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.
Since government regulations make it harder to get prescription methamphetamines, many people buy it on the streets. Illegal meth labs use inexpensive, toxic ingredients for homemade versions of the drug. Some of the ingredients include:
- Ephedrine/Pseudoephedrine: A common over-the-counter cold medicine that can harm the heart, nervous system, and respiratory system in large doses.
- Acetone: An extremely flammable liquid found in paint thinner and nail polish remover.
- Hydrochloric acid: A corrosive chemical that could destroy flesh.
- Anhydrous ammonia: A substance common in household cleaners and fertilizers.
- Sulfuric acid: This ingredient, a common toilet and drain cleaner, can burn the skin.
If you find your methamphetamine use is spiraling out of control, you need to stay away from these toxic chemicals and enlist the help of a meth rehab program. Denver Recovery Center’s qualified staff use proven techniques that make recovery possible. You’ll receive support and guidance in a comfortable, non-judgmental environment. Our admissions specialists work with you to find the most appropriate treatment options to quickly get you the help you need.
Options for Meth Treatment
Treatment options vary depending on the severity of the meth addiction and other co-occurring mental health issues. Detoxing yourself from the drug is usually the first step in the meth rehab process. As this can be one of the hardest parts of getting your life back from addiction, we can set up admission to a local detox to get you started, where you may get meth treatment drugs and other services to help the process. Withdrawal symptoms can be very uncomfortable and sometimes even dangerous, making support through this process critical.
Some of the most common meth withdrawal symptoms include:
- Intense cravings for the drug
- Extreme fatigue
- Long periods of sleep
- Anxiety
- Severe depression
- Cravings for sugary or starchy foods
- Feeling a deep sense of hopelessness
- Psychosis such as hallucinations and delusions
Symptoms are generally the most intense during the first few days after your last use. They gradually decrease over a two-week period. After that, you may also experience post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS), a form of psychological withdrawal. This can last from a couple weeks up to a few months depending on your age and how long you have been addicted.
The long withdrawal period from meth is one of the most important reasons to get help from a specialized treatment facility. Denver Recovery Center offers a comprehensive continuum of care based on your individual needs. While not everyone will require every level of care, our dedicated team will examine your personal situation and determine the most appropriate level of care. These may include:
– Residential or Inpatient Treatment
For some patients, recovery from meth addiction requires residential placement. Our comfortable and supportive residential treatment facilities take you away from the triggers and negative influences contributing to your meth use. While in residential care, you have access to a full range of treatment approaches designed for the best outcomes. Not only can we help you with your addiction, we can also address any underlying mental health issues that may be contributing to your drug use. If you’re looking to hit the “reset” button on your life and build a strong foundation for sobriety, our residential program may be a great place to start.
– Partial Hospitalization
Partial hospitalization can offer a step down in support for those leaving residential treatment. It is also a good option for those unable to enter residential treatment due to family commitments such as caring for children or elderly parents. Our partial hospitalization program can get you the help you need during the day, so you can attend to your family commitments in the evening. This level of care depends on your ability to remain healthy while unsupervised and is often considered based upon an assessment of your needs by our team.
– Intensive Outpatient
For those having a strong support network, our intensive outpatient program can provide necessary treatments while you enjoy the comforts of home. Frequent meetings and therapy sessions allow you to check in, share your triumphs and frustrations, and develop skills to keep you meth free. The sessions include drug education, developing coping skills, and building strong support networks.
– Outpatient Program
Our outpatient program is less involved than the residential and intensive outpatient program while still being very effective under the right circumstances. In many cases, we recommend this program after you have completed residential or intensive outpatient care. As you become more comfortable with your newfound sobriety, the outpatient meth rehab program helps you positively deal with life’s struggles, get support from expert staff and peers going through similar challenges, and develop skills necessary for long-lasting sobriety.
– Aftercare Treatment
We know recovering from addiction is a lengthy process. Almost everyone has unforeseen struggles even after successfully becoming drug free. This is why our alumni program offers regular check-in opportunities after you have graduated from our other programs. Here you can celebrate your successes, learn from others’ similar struggles, and retain ongoing access to the help of our dedicated staff.
Methamphetamine Addiction Treatment
If you are wondering what treatment options are used to most effectively treat meth addiction, including crystal meth, you’ve come to the right place. We believe your best chance at success involves treating all aspects of your life. While simply abstaining from meth can have mixed results, changing your thoughts, reactions, and support network is much more effective. This is why our multifaceted treatment for meth users has been proven to produce such positive results.
Here are some approaches we may use during your treatment:
- Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT): Your thoughts play a big role in how you react to the world around you. With CBT we help you change unhealthy thought patterns leading to negative and addictive behaviors.
- Dual Diagnosis Treatment: Individuals using meth often have other underlying mental health issues. In our efforts to heal each person as a whole, we assess any co-occurring conditions and provide individualized therapy, medication management, and psychological services.
- Family Therapy: We understand that your meth use may have had serious negative effects on your family life. In some cases, family dynamics may be one of the causes of your drug use. We work with you and your family to determine any core issues, help restore bonds and create a positive support network.
- Group Therapy: Sometimes the input of others going through similar situations can address key points more effectively than individual therapy. Our guided group therapy sessions allow others to connect with you and provide valuable insights for lasting sobriety.
- Outdoor Therapy: The scenic backdrops of our beautiful facilities provide a range of opportunities to experience the natural world with a renewed vigor. From hiking, biking, meditation, yoga, fishing, and more, you can once again experience the joys of drug free leisure experiences.
How Long Does Addiction Rehab Take?
A common question among clients coming into our meth treatment facilities is how long it will take to recover from their addiction. Unfortunately, there is not a one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Many factors come into play which may include your age, how long you’ve been addicted, the amount of meth you’ve used, the strength of your desire to recover, and any underlying mental disorders.
While some may benefit from a thirty or sixty-day program, others may need a more involved continuum of care for a solid footing in sobriety. Our team of experts use a highly individualized approach to make sure you get the most effective care and that your sobriety lasts well beyond your time here at our facilities. Staying sober is a lifelong effort, but we will help guide you through the process step-by-step and give you access to the tools you’ll need to make your desire for a drug free life a reality.
Is There Meth Rehab Near Me in Denver, Colorado?
Denver Recovery Center uses a comprehensive, holistic approach to battling meth, crystal meth, and other drug addictions. You can expect a full range of evidence-based treatments giving you a better chance for success. Our dedicated staff is here to help you with the skills and knowledge necessary to put you on the best path to recovery.
If you’re not from the Denver area, but think a change of scenery can contribute to lasting change, the proximity of our facilities to the beauty of Colorado’s natural landscape provide the serenity and comfort you need to get back on your feet. We are currently accepting clients from all over the country. Call us at (844) 602-3175 to learn more about what it’s like to travel to our facilities to get the help you need.
Call Our 24/7 Meth Addiction Recovery Hotline for Immediate Help
If you feel like meth is controlling you or your loved one’s life, finding help is as simple as a phone call away. Denver Recovery Center will help you recover by creating a highly individualized treatment plan to suit your needs.
Our center is conveniently located in Broomfield, Colorado a suburb of Denver. You can expect comfortable and confidential treatment options ranging from outpatient sessions to residential placement. Our multifaceted approach also offers holistic treatments so you can obtain the skills and knowledge you need to live a drug free life.
If you’re struggling with an addiction to meth, things rarely get better on their own. Calling (844) 602-3175 today to take the first brave step towards reclaiming your life and living drug free.