Methamphetamine Addiction

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Methamphetamine Effects

If you are a methamphetamine user there are methamphetamine addiction treatment centers ready to help you NOW. Your methamphetamine addiction and the resulting methamphetamine effects are slowly destroying your body and mind. You need help for your addiction to methamphetamines, which are taking over your life, hurting those closest to you and stealing your dreams. You have tried to stop using methamphetamines, but can't stop. You have always returned, worse than before. We know, we've been there and couldn't do it by ourselves either. Call Recovery Connection NOW for help. Call 1-800-99-DETOX (1-800-993-3869).

Methamphetamine - A Dangerous Stimulant

Methamphetamine or crystal methamphetamine is the most potent type of amphetamine available today. Almost all of today's crystal methamphetamine or "crystal meth" is homemade and has stimulant properties similar to that of adrenaline. Like adrenaline, methamphetamine stimulates the central nervous system and works directly on the brain and spinal cord by interfering with healthy neurotransmission. Continued use can lead to methamphetamine addiction and detrimental methamphetamine effects.

Methamphetamine - Enticing and Highly Addictive

A synthetic drug, methamphetamine is extremely addictive and almost always leads to methamphetamine addiction. All drugs that are addictive share two common elements: the drug produces a pleasant effect or feeling, which is then followed by an unpleasant effect or feeling. This process takes place through a suppression of the normal production of dopamine, which creates a chemical imbalance. To return to normal, the person needs more of the drug and the cycle of methamphetamine addiction begins. Street names for crystal methamphetamine are crank, glass, speed, ice, meth, or zip.

Methamphetamine Effects - Achieving a Methamphetamine High

Most people tend to snort or inject methamphetamine, although a more concentrated form of "crystal meth" can also be smoked. It seems ice or glass are to "crystal meth", what crack is to cocaine. With most of the crystal methamphetamine being produced at home, the main ingredients used to process it are found in over-the-counter medications such as cold and asthma medicines, which include ephedrine or pseudo-ephedrine.

Because amphetamines are available by prescription, many people feel they are not as likely to become physically dependent or addicted to this drug. The denial associated with this medication is no different than the denial that accompanies other prescription medications such as; Xanax, Vicodin, Hydrocodone, Valium, OxyContin or Percocet.

Methamphetamines are addicting and produce an artificial feeling of pleasure. The person's initial use of amphetamine or methamphetamine is stored in the subconscious. The subconscious learns through association that the use of an amphetamine provides immediate pleasure. The person's subconscious memory actually remembers that initial "high" and continually enforces the desire to recapture and experience that feeling. These euphoric methamphetamine effects almost always cause a methamphetamine addiction.

It is rare that a person using amphetamine or methamphetamine ever experiences that same "high" or "rush." This is a result of the drug's ability to suppress and deplete the brain's production of the normal chemical messengers on which the brain relies to generate positive feelings. The brain adapts to the presence of amphetamine by decreasing production of the normal chemical messenger. The methamphetamine addict then begins to increase the amount they use in an effort to recapture that pleasurable feeling. At some point, the methamphetamine addict cannot use anymore and "crashes" (their body and mind has had enough.)

Methamphetamine Effects - Use for Weight Loss

Methamphetamine affects the appetite and is used by many people to assist them with weight loss. This drug reduces and sometimes eliminates the desire to eat. Unfortunately, when a person discontinues consuming food, the body begins to feed off itself for continued nutrition. These methamphetamine effects can cause many medical complications including:

Effects of Amphetamine or Methamphetamine Addiction

Methamphetamine or amphetamine, regardless of its form, greatly stimulates the person's central nervous system and the euphoric feeling can last anywhere from a few hours to as long as twenty four hours. This drug and its resulting methamphetamine addiction have short and long term adverse physical and mental effects which may include:

Additional Physical Effects of Methamphetamine Addiction or Abuse

Methamphetamine Addiction - Psychological Methamphetamine Effects

The use and abuse of amphetamine, methamphetamine or crystal methamphetamine can create a methamphetamine addiction. The resulting methamphetamine effects often resemble several types of mental illness. Effects may include:

Consequences of Amphetamine and Methamphetamine Addiction

Methamphetamine addiction has recently experienced a revival. If a person abruptly discontinues their use of methamphetamine or amphetamines they will experience symptoms associated with withdrawal.

Methamphetamine Withdrawal Symptoms

Withdrawal is extremely uncomfortable and in some cases life threatening. The methamphetamine effects associated with withdrawal may include:

Because of the severity of this withdrawal, many people choose to enter detox or methamphetamine addiction treatment programs to assist them in coping with these symptoms. In addition to withdrawal, crystal methamphetamine affects many other areas of a person's life. People addicted to amphetamine tend to spend most of their finances on obtaining the drug, have difficulty maintaining employment due to their loss of concentration, motivation and depression and experience deterioration in their personal relationships as their paranoia, and need for isolation increases.

Treatment for Crystal Meth, Amphetamine and Methamphetamine Addictions

In almost every case, crystal meth or amphetamine addiction treatments begin with an admission to one of many detox centers where a licensed physician or counselor will help manage withdrawal symptoms. The symptoms associated with withdrawal can best be managed by an addictionologist who is a physician trained and certified in addiction medicine. When recovering from addiction withdrawal it is also important to be in a medically supervised setting such as an accredited drug rehab center that can monitor your withdrawal symptoms and help you manage them in a healthy way.

In detox, the patient will have dealt with and resolved many of the initial symptoms associated with methamphetamine and crystal meth withdrawal, but the craving and the urge to keep using may stay with them for weeks. It will get easier for the individual to stop using as the brain continues to heal from the damage created by the abuse. Cravings and thoughts about using will diminish over time and the brain will eventually return to its normal state of functioning. However, the patient should transfer directly to a drug rehab center after their detox. This will help prevent any serious medical problems from developing during the withdrawal.

Methamphetamine Addiction - A Time to Heal

It takes time to resolve both the emotional and physical trauma people experience due to methamphetamine addiction. It also takes time to learn how to cope with the feelings the person has suppressed. This process is best undergone in a supportive therapeutic environment (drug rehab) which is designed to eliminate outside distractions. This allows an addict to focus on the key issues surrounding their recovery. Residential addiction treatment in a quality drug rehab center is approximately four weeks in length.

Upon completion of the inpatient drug rehab stage of addiction treatment, the patient can choose between attending day addiction treatment, outpatient addiction treatment, or continuing with private therapy. The most important decision an addict can make is attending some form of treatment for their crystal meth addiction. Which form of treatment they choose is a matter of preference since they are all designed to do the same thing which is to treat methamphetamine addiction.

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If you believe you or someone you know needs help with methamphetamine addiction, or for immediate assistance finding drug rehab centers that specialize in methamphetamine addiction and treatment, please call Recovery Connection now at 1-800-99-DETOX (1-800-993-3869). Help is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Don't wait - GET HELP NOW!

Methamphetamine Addiction Treatment Centers:

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