Meth Addiction in Tallahassee FL (877) 804-1531

Methamphetamine is a potent central nervous system (CNS) stimulant that is commonly used for recreational purposes. Meth addiction and abuse is a serious problem throughout the United States, with detox and drug treatment often needed to help people break free from their dependence. Meth addiction is accompanied by tolerance and a range of withdrawal symptoms upon cessation of use. With drug treatment centers Tallahassee, you can discuss your treatment options. They may provide a variety of suggested programs and specialized treatment modalities for meth addiction.

What is Methamphetamine?

Methamphetamine, also known as meth, is a CNS stimulant of the phenethylamine and amphetamine classes. While this drug does have some legitimate medical uses for attention hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and obesity, it is mostly purchased on the black market and taken as a recreational drug. Methamphetamine exists as two enantiomers: dextromethamphetamine and levomethamphetamine. Both are neurotoxic and addictive, with dextromethamphetamine more widely used because it is a stronger CNS stimulant. Meth abuse and dependence is widespread in America, with regular use likely to lead to a range of adverse physical and psychological problems.

Statistics

According to the latest National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) published in 2012, 1.2 million people reported using methamphetamine in the past year. This represents roughly 0.4 percent of the American population, with 440,000 or 0.2 percent, having used the drug in the past month. According to the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN), methamphetamine accounts for roughly 103,000 emergency department (ED) visits each year, making it the fourth most mentioned illegal drug in ED visits. According to figures from the Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS), meth abuse represents roughly 5.6 percent of all admissions to treatment facilities.

Withdrawal

Regular meth users are likely to develop tolerance over time, with many heavy users experiencing a time-limited withdrawal syndrome when they stop using the drug. While meth is not physically addictive in the same way as heroin or other opioids, users can experience a range of physical and psychological problems upon cessation of use. Depending on the extent and length of addiction, methamphetamine withdrawal symptoms can include anxiety, drug craving, increased appetite, changes to movement, dysphoric mood, fatigue, lack of motivation, sleep problems and vivid dreams. Mental depression is also a serious problem for some recovering addicts, with the depression period generally much longer than that of cocaine.

Treatment

While treatment for meth withdrawal is limited, a range of behavioral therapies and aftercare programs are available for recovering addicts following the detox period. Fluoxetine and imipramine appear to be of some benefit in treating abuse and addiction, with other drugs also used for pain relief and as sleeping aids. While there is no definitive medication for the treatment of methamphetamine dependence and abuse, a medical detox period is often required so that patients can go through the withdrawal syndrome under medical supervision.

Following detox, patients will generally be directed toward behavioral therapy and counseling programs to treat the precedents of drug addiction. Common behavioral therapies used for meth addiction include cognitive behavioral therapy, family therapy, motivational interviewing, and motivational incentives. Traditional counseling approaches such as 12-step programs may also be useful in some situations, with group and individual counseling available through residential programs and community support groups. Aftercare programs also play an important role in meth treatment, with relapse prevention just as important as detox and therapy.

Call drug treatment centers Tallahassee at (877) 804-1531 today to find out more about your treatment options.