Meth Rehab in California

Meth Rehab in California

Meth rehab in California offers a way for individuals addicted to the substance to recover and rejoin society. According to the Los Angeles County Health Survey, in 2005, 1.4% of the city’s adult population admitted to using meth at least once over the previous year. The alarming statistic is coupled with documentaries about areas in California carrying the label of “Meth Capital of the Country.” California’s drug problem ranges far and wide, and meth is just one of those substances contributing to the economic and social decline of the region.

Meth is a confusing substance for anyone to judge quality. It may show up as blue crystals or a black, gooey tar substance even in its purest form. Across the spectrum of its appearance, it can take a range of colors ranging from pink to grey and show up as a powder that can be snorted or a dissolved liquid for injection. Because of its many facets, it’s no easy job for law enforcement to find and crack down on the distribution of the substance. Research has shown that California’s attempt to control the flow of the drug may end up negatively affecting the most vulnerable communities involved in using it.

The solution must also approach the problem from a unique perspective. It’s evident that addiction is a highly individual disorder, and each person will deal with it in their own way. A person who is best suited to recover from the substance wants to leave it behind. The best treatment for meth that anyone can find comes from detox and long-term treatment facilities. The most effective way to understand the threat meth represents is to delve into what it is and its impact on the human body.

What is a Methamphetamine?

Methamphetamine is a substance derived from amphetamine. Initially, it was used as a decongestant and was present in several bronchial inhalers in the early twentieth century. Unfortunately, its early use made doctors realize that it may have addictive properties, just like its parent medication. Methamphetamine even displays several of the same mental and physical reactions to its use as amphetamines.

Users of the drug will become talkative, have a reduced appetite, and end up with an increased sense of well-being and euphoria. Like amphetamines, drug intake can be done through inhalation, snorting, or taken intravenously via injections. The latter method usually results in a rapid burst of euphoria and is the preferred method for those using the drug illicitly.

Methamphetamines are much more easily picked up by the body than their amphetamine predecessors. In a similar concentration, far more methamphetamines will enter a person’s brain than amphetamines. This property makes it an even more potent drug, which has massive potential for being misused and abused.

The DEA classes methamphetamine as a Schedule II controlled substance, making it available only through a non-refillable prescription from a doctor. Unfortunately, methamphetamines are easy to mass-produce illegally. Much of addiction to the drug comes from its regular use as a “club drug,” where it’s used in party settings. Most users that consume these substances are younger and open to new experiences.

The stimulant nature of the drug leads to the person taking it to feel euphoria and well-being. Over time, the amount of the substance the person needs to get that same feeling increases, leading them to do more and more drastic things to get it.

How does Meth Affect the Human Body?

Meth’s addictiveness comes from how it interacts with the human brain. Typically, the brain has neurons that communicate by releasing neurotransmitters between the space between each other. One of the body’s most essential chemicals is noradrenaline, the “fight-or-flight” chemical. Another one is dopamine, which allows us to have feelings of pleasure when we do something that we love.

Usually, you’d need to accomplish something to get a burst of dopamine, but meth shortcuts that process. When meth enters the brain, it forces neurons to spew out most of their stored dopamine and copious amounts of noradrenaline. The result is a massive wave of euphoria and a burst of energy and focus that a new user might never have felt before in their lives. Meth also stops the neurons from recovering the dopamine for use again, allowing the feelings to last longer.

By itself, this might not be such a bad thing, but meth has an insidious side effect. Tolerance for a drug happens when a person needs more of the substance to get the same high. It starts building from the time the person takes their first dose of a substance. Unfortunately, the massive flood of dopamine also affects the brain by making it need more dopamine to get the same pleasurable feelings.

As a result, regular pastimes lose their draw, and meth becomes the only thing that could make a dependent person feel happy about their life. The craving to use meth is exacerbated by the recovery period, where a person may feel down, listless, and unmotivated. The stark contrast pushes them to use the substance again. Over time, tolerance leads to dependence, where the brain rewires itself to make meth an essential part of its functioning. When this happens, addiction usually follows. Addiction is a brain disorder that causes people to make bad decisions in their search for a particular drug.

What Are the Signs of Methamphetamine Addiction?

Meth users display several physical and mental signs that make them easy to spot as substance users. Among these are:

  • Paranoia
  • Agitation
  • Hyperactivity
  • Erratic sleeping patterns
  • Rapid eye movement
  • Skin sores and rotting teeth
  • Burns
  • Noticeable and rapid weight-loss
  • Outbursts or mood swings

In addition to these symptoms, there is also a period known as “tweaking.” Meth users remain hyper-alert over three to fifteen days, usually going without sleep during this time. When a person has been on a drug binge and can’t maintain their rush or high any longer, the result is a crash.

Based on what we understand from how meth functions, it’s likely that all the person’s stored dopamine reserves would have been used, and they would be feeling a residual high from the massive overdose of noradrenaline in their brain. Tweaking may lead to significant psychological side effects, including anxiety, paranoia, and despair over their body’s inability to respond to meth combined with the desperation to use the substance again.

The crash phase of meth use also brings with it several telltale signs and is usually one of the reasons that users end up drifting into a spiral. As mentioned before, a crash usually brings with it a massive drop in energy and a complete reversal of the symptoms of use. Crashes are characterized by periods of deficient energy, lack of zeal and motivation, and listlessness. Crashes can extend for as many as three days, and extreme exhaustion may lead users to avoid social interactions.

This lack of drive and energy might even mean that they can no longer function at their job or school. The lack of joy they get from their regular pursuits usually means that they will avoid doing them, even when they recover their energy. Meth addiction happens rapidly, and it’s not impossible to see someone start craving the drug even after their first use.

Cost of Meth Rehab

The cost of meth rehab will vary depending on the type of center that one goes to for treatment and how intensive the program is. Simple treatment and detox facilities offer comprehensive plans to help visitors break their addiction and start recovering. These facilities can be either inpatient or outpatient facilities. Outpatient facilities usually cost less than inpatient facilities since they don’t have to provide room and board. On the most extreme end of inpatient facilities are luxury rehab centers that deal with high-end clients. These are usually at the upper end of the scale and cater to recovering persons who may need a more private retreat to break their habit.

In most cases, insurance might offer some coverage for going through rehab. However, as insurance plans tend to be individual, coverage may vary. Unfortunately, because of how life-changing meth addiction can be, many of the most vulnerable victims cannot afford treatment. The best crystal rehab centers in California tend to consider this shortcoming when planning for their patient’s recovery. Flexible payment plans ensure that the facility can support the recovering individual over the long term through therapy while rejoining society. While meth rehab isn’t cheap, the range of affordability makes recovering cost-effective. If one examines how much money is spent in maintaining an addiction, the amount can be astronomical. Recovery and rehab may seem expensive but may be more financially sound over the long term.

The Stages of Methamphetamine Rehab

Because of how embedded methamphetamine becomes in a user’s brain, it can be difficult to wean them off the substance. Rehab tries to do so by pushing them to break their physical dependence and then following up by instilling mental resilience against their urges. The first step in meth recovery is detoxification. Detox usually happens at a facility where a person can be monitored throughout their ordeal. When a meth user detoxes, they go through the process of withdrawal. This process can be scary for many individuals since it can produce some symptoms that might be difficult to deal with on their own. Having trained medical staff nearby to support a recovering individual helps them to overcome the detox process. Meth detox deals with withdrawal, which may set in as soon as twenty-four hours after the person’s last use. On average, withdrawal may last between two to three days. While it is possible to attempt detox without the help of a medical professional, there’s no telling what complications may arise.

After detox, the person is transferred to a long-term care facility that provides therapy and teaches skills to help with their reintegration into society. Because meth addiction can span an extended period, it may be difficult to pinpoint when a person is entirely free of the substance’s hold. Urges may continue, and long-term therapy can usually deal with these urges. Promising new therapy methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) offer hope for recovering individuals. CBT helps a person understand how their negative thoughts lead to their urges. In so doing, they can control how those thoughts impact them, avoiding the cravings before they become prevalent. There are several treatment options available to individuals seeking to recover from meth addiction, including:

Meth Rehab In California

Inpatient Treatment

In an inpatient facility, recovering individuals can focus on their recovery entirely. They are separated from the outside world to reduce their distractions and urges. Removing those elements can help them avoid using the substance again. Inpatient stays are usually the best option for those that have to deal with chronic addiction.

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient treatment centers allow for their visitors to come in for scheduled treatment and assessment. This approach usually needs more responsibility from the recovering person, and missing therapy sessions can lead them to relapse. Ideally, these treatment options work better with individuals who have transport to get to their meetings and don’t want to disrupt their daily lives.

Long-Term Therapy

Treatment for addiction doesn’t stop after the person ceases using the substance since the urges remain. Long-term recovery comes with support groups and therapy. Many outpatient facilities offer group sessions that help others and inspire their visitors to stay the course on their road to recovery.

Why Come to California for Meth Rehab?

California offers a lot of hope for individuals trying to kick their meth habit. A distributed network of recovering people provides a strong support base for those who are finding it hard to leave their dependency behind. Additionally, there are several rehab centers around the state that offer top-class help for those who need it. California’s also one of the most beautiful states to live in. The Pacific Ocean ensures that temperatures don’t get too ridiculous.

As someone recovering from meth in California, there are a lot of benefits to choosing this state for your journey. World-class support coupled with professionals who have had countless successes are all great reasons for choosing California for rehab. There are several clinics and universities dedicated to researching ways to help recovering people overcome their meth dependency in California. The close proximity of these centers along with several recovery facilities focused on meth addiction treatment sets the stage for a successful rehabilitation.

Choosing from the Best Meth Rehab Centers

California has several addiction inpatient meth centers that a recovering individual can choose from. However, the choice of a facility should look at more than just its cost. At Circle of Hope, we offer support and treatment to each of our patients. Our staff is well-trained and has succeeded in helping hundreds out of their addiction and dependency. They include classically trained medical professionals and mental health experts to provide support for each of our visitors. Are you ready to commit to recovery? Give us a call today, and let’s discuss how we can help you recover from addiction and re-enter society.

1 (818) 392-5259