Meth Rehab Program

Methamphetamine, more commonly known as meth, crystal meth, crank, crystal, ice, or speed, is a highly addictive stimulant. It rapidly increases the brain’s ability to produce dopamine, which can lead to a range of attractive effects, including heightened energy levels and euphoria. However, that high doesn’t last long and is quickly replaced by irritability and depression, which can lead the person using it to want to take more to achieve that same high.

If you or someone you love is battling an addiction to this substance, it may be time to reach out to a meth rehab program. Call Sanford Behavioral Health today at 616.202.3326 for more information on our substance use disorders rehab programs.

Understanding Meth Use

Meth is available in many forms on the black market and can be used in a variety of ways, including:

• Injection
• Snorting
• Insertion
• Smoking
• Swallowing

The method of meth use varies depending on availability and location. It can also depend on the speed at which the user wants to experience the effects.

No matter what method a person uses meth, it can have lasting harm. Methods such as injecting or smoking result in an immediate rush but also create a higher potential for addiction. This method allows the substance to go directly into the person’s bloodstream and brain, which leads to an extreme rush of dopamine.

Because of the intensity of this rush, the brain associates it with a reward, which means it’s more likely that the person will want to use meth again. Each time a person uses meth, they reinforce that neural pathway, which means it is much more difficult to stop using it.

These methods also have a higher risk of overdose. The person’s body is unable to break down the drug before the high wears off, so they may want to continue to take more of it to reproduce the initial feeling. This pattern of use is called a binge, and depending on the person’s ability to access the drug and other factors, it may go on for some time.

While someone is using meth, they may neglect their health, causing them to stop eating, drinking, resting, or attending to their personal hygiene. As a result, they may lose extreme weight and experience many health concerns.

Long-Term Effects of Meth Use

One of the most well-known effects of long-term meth use is known as meth mouth. A person with meth mouth has a severe case of tooth decay and gum disease. The teeth may appear to be rotted or stained, or they may start to fall apart. In many cases, the teeth eventually fall out or must be removed by a dental professional.

Meth use also has a number of dramatic effects on the brain. People who use meth for an extended period of time may experience symptoms such as:

• Mood disturbances
• Insomnia
• Increased aggression or violent behavior
• Changes to the brain’s structure and ability to function
• Psychosis, including hallucinations, repetitive movements, or delusions

Some of these symptoms are reversible if the person is able to stop using meth, but it takes time, patience, and dedication. Because the brain is dependent on the high that meth provides, it is difficult to stop using it alone. A meth rehab program offers support and structure to those at the beginning of their recovery journey.

Contact Our Meth Rehab at Sanford Behavioral Health

At our meth rehab program in Marne, Michigan, our team of clinicians works with patients to understand and overcome their meth use. We offer a range of services to each person with a full continuum of care, including detox, residential treatment, partial hospitalization program, intensive outpatient program, and our outpatient program.

We understand the difficulties that people who are overcoming meth addiction face, and we will help them face these challenges head-on. To learn how our meth rehab program in Michigan can support recovery, please contact us at 616.202.3326 today.