Why Is Meth so Addictive?
Meth is cheap and relatively easy to get. The white powdered drug can be snorted, smoked, or injected, causing an immediate rush of dopamine to the brain. Dopamine is a naturally occurring chemical in the brain that causes pleasure, joy, elation, and mental focus. When meth increases dopamine production, it also raises the heart rate. This can cause heart problems and even death. The more someone uses meth, the less dopamine their brain produces. As the brain becomes dependent on meth as the source of dopamine, it can make quitting meth use extremely difficult. While meth can have long-term complications, the immediate effects of the drug include:
- Paranoia
- Joy
- Hyperactivity
- Elation
- Insomnia
- Loss of appetite
- Confusion
Over time, smoking meth can cause tooth decay and loss. Injecting the drug can cause veins to collapse. Meth injections can increase the risk of hepatitis and HIV from sharing needles. Poor judgment and risky behavior, while high, can lead to additional health risks, such as contracting STDs.
Meth Addiction Treatment
The first step to meth addiction treatment is detox. Attempting to detox from meth at home can be dangerous. Withdrawal symptoms and a lack of natural dopamine can lead to relapse, overdose, and drug-seeking behavior. The longer someone uses methamphetamine, the less dopamine their brain will naturally produce. When they stop using meth, they may experience:
- Temporary psychosis
- Increased appetite
- Emotional outburst
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Other changes in mood and personality
Meth’s effects on the brain usually lead to frequent and prolonged use. In meth addiction treatment, patients go through a medically assisted detox program. Doctors and clinicians monitor vital signs while therapists help patients get to the root of their addiction. Meth addiction treatment can reduce withdrawal symptoms and help a patient rebuild a safe, happy, and healthy life.
Quitting meth cold turkey without medical support can be dangerous. Attempting to quit meth use at home is more likely to lead to an overdose. At La Fuente Hollywood Treatment Center, Board Certified Addiction Medicine doctors monitor each patient’s detox symptoms. Professional medical support can help those struggling with meth use overcome addiction.
Hollywood’s LGBTQ Meth Addiction Treatment Center
Southern California’s La Fuente provides an LGBTQ rehab center with meth detox and recovery programs. Our addiction treatment programs focus on party drugs like MDMA, meth, GHB, and ketamine. We also treat alcohol addiction. Our comprehensive programs include:
- Partial hospitalization
- Inpatient detox and recovery
- Alumni programs
- Intensive outpatient programs
Our intimate West Hollywood facility serves the LGBTQ community with compassion, medically assisted detox, and rehab serving people across Southern California.
The Benefits of Professional Meth Addiction Treatment
Individuals who seek professional help for their meth addictions and complete detox, rehab, and enroll in aftercare programs once treatment ends have higher success rates regarding recovery and long-term sobriety. Some of the other significant benefits include:
- Withdrawal symptoms are managed by addiction treatment specialists and sometimes medication during the detoxification process.
- You enter rehab right after detox with no distractions and no opportunity to use or drink.
- You build a treatment plan with your specialists that includes therapies tailored to your unique needs, including addressing underlying mental health issues.
- During your stay in treatment, you will have access to 24/7 medical care and support.
- Aftercare programs like peer support groups and alumni programs continue to provide support and community after treatment ends.
Begin Your Detox Journey at La Fuente
The key to successful addiction recovery is comprehensive treatment. If you or a loved one are struggling with meth addiction, call La Fuente today. Our medically assisted meth addiction treatment program provides the professional, personalized care necessary to regain a life of sobriety.
At La Fuente, we pride ourselves on cutting-edge addiction and mental health treatment for the LGBTQ community. Our intimate facility brings care and compassion to all stages of addiction treatment. Call us today at 888.903.9898 or fill out our online form to learn more about our Southern California-based LGBTQ substance abuse treatment programs.