Many drug dealers “cut” methamphetamine with other substances to sell less of the actual drug for the same price and fetch a greater profit margin. These cutting substances may be common household powders such as salt, sugar and talcum powder. A key ingredient in meth production is the over-the-counter (OTC) drug pseudoephedrine. The product is “cooked” in a “laboratory” — commonly trailers or remotely located residential homes — and made into a consumable form. Meth labs are notoriously dangerous because the byproducts of the drug’s creation process are toxic and explosive. During a binge, a person continues taking more and more of the drug, ignoring other bodily needs.
Understanding Meth Addiction: Signs, Effects & Treatment
- So, these therapies help people process their trauma and learn ways to manage their reactions to triggers.
- Methamphetamine causes dramatic changes to behavior and appearance.
- Crystal meth addiction leads to some of the most severe consequences of any other drug on the market or on the streets today.
- Unlike meth, which may seem to offer relief but worsens PTSD over time, medications prescribed for PTSD are carefully managed to help the person heal and regain control of their life.
One of the most effective therapies for treating PTSD and meth addiction is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). CBT helps people understand how their thoughts affect their emotions and behaviors. This therapy teaches individuals to recognize negative thinking patterns and replace them with healthier thoughts.
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Meth and Mental Health Disorders
Connecting to a treatment program will help provide needed support and skills for success. Meth addiction can feel overwhelming, but recovery is possible for you. At Pinnacle, we understand the unique challenges you face with this highly addictive drug, so we’ve developed a specialized program to help you overcome meth addiction. This list is not exhaustive but provides a starting point for things to look out for if you believe a loved meth addiction one might be using meth. Group counseling is another key part of treatment for meth addiction and PTSD.
Burn Marks on Skin
- Since there are no approved medications for meth dependence, treatment during medical detox is supportive.
- Methamphetamine is an addictive drug that has energizing (stimulant) effects.
- Meth found on the street is created in makeshift laboratories, with the most common ingredient being over-the-counter cold medicine, pseudoephedrine.
Depending on the severity of your dental damage, it may be prudent to first see a dentist before trying to address it yourself. Some forms of damage can be worsened without proper intervention, first. Overall, being mindful of your dental hygiene habits and trying to reestablish a routine can go a long way in negating and undoing damage done to your teeth from meth. Finally, injection leads to an increased risk of bloodborne illness like HIV. It can also cause scarring at the injection site and even lead to damaged or collapsed veins.
- When it comes to using medication to manage withdrawal symptoms, receiving a prescription is best.
- First synthesized in the early 20th century, methamphetamine was initially developed for medical purposes.1 It was used to treat conditions like attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and obesity.
- Your loved one might deny having a problem at all or refuse to seek help.
- You may also get bruises around the injection sites or have trouble with blood flow through injured veins.
- Though there was no significant impact on IQ scores, memory recall test scores were drastically worse than the control group.
- Crystal methamphetamine (meth) is consumed by smoking, injecting, snorting, or swallowing.