Help for Meth Addiction

meth addict on the street

Methamphetamine is one of the greatest curses directed at the human race. Few other drugs can match methamphetamine for its ability to quickly addict a user, to create spiritual, moral and mental decline, and to bring about severe physical destruction.

Some people have said that just one use of methamphetamine triggered cravings that were so intense, they were hooked right from the start. Once a person begins abusing meth on a regular basis, he (or she) begins to neglect his health. He doesn’t feel hunger or fatigue due to the stimulating effect of the drug so he does not eat or sleep normally. If he has enough of the drug, he will stay up for days until the body simply crashes or until he finally runs out of a supply.

young woman addict

Because of the severe physical strain, a heavy meth user’s appearance will begin to change, sometimes rapidly. He will age quickly and become gaunt. Rationality is replaced by a “meth psychosis” when use is heavy enough. Meth psychosis includes severe paranoia and violent tendencies. It is essential that a person who is abusing meth be helped to leave that life behind as soon as possible.

In some cases, physical deterioration will begin to occur in just months. A risky lifestyle can result in sexually transmitted or blood-borne diseases or other harm resulting from the toxicity of this caustic substance. A person who goes one step farther and starts cooking meth runs huge risks of toxic exposure or burns from these volatile labs. This physical harm is in addition to the changes in a person’s personality. Children are neglected or abused, spouses, parents, and grandparents may also suffer abuse or assault so the addicted person can get money for more meth.

Meth Addicts Will Very Often Need Rehab Help

Despite the intense grip of a meth addiction, it is possible to help a person climb out of this hell. A meth addict is unlikely to recover in a short (30 day) program. The National Institute on Drug Abuse has stated that a long-term program of more is more likely to succeed. This advice particularly applies to a meth addict.

The meth addict has been poisoning himself for months or years and needs to get these toxins out of his body in order to have a chance to think clearly again. This is the reason for the deep detoxification phase of the Narconon rehab program.

Meth is made of a long list of toxic chemicals such as these:

  • Toluene
  • Ether
  • Sulfuric Acid
  • Lithium
  • Trichloroethane
  • Lye
  • Kerosene
  • Gasoline
  • Paint thinner
  • Camp stove fuel
  • Anhydrous ammonia (a fertilizer)
Sauna at Narconon center

 With residues from all these chemicals in the drug a person is smoking or injecting, the meth user becomes highly toxic. These residues lodge in the fatty tissues of the body and are hard to dislodge, meaning they can continue to affect a person’s thinking a personality, even years later. The Narconon New Life Detoxification, one phase of the overall recovery program, uses a combination of a strict nutritional supplement regimen, time in a low-heat sauna and moderate daily exercise to cause the body to let go of these toxins. They are primarily flushed out in the sweat as a person sits in the sauna.

Those finishing this step talk about how much brighter they feel, how their thinking is clearer and how their outlook is improved. Many people also say that their cravings have diminished or even disappeared after this action is complete.

It is essential that a person be able to think clearly to get through the life skills courses that follow. This is where a person learns how to build a new life on the ruins of the old one. As he does so, it is common that he unlocks the secrets of why he started abusing drugs in the first place. Gradually, one skill at a time, he learns how to make the right choices to stay sober after he leaves rehab. He learns how to face and handle problems rather than turn to drugs to just blot them out.

One step provides a person with the knowledge and skill to find relief from the guilt he has been carrying around. There is so much harm done to self, family, and community that guilt contributes to a person continuing to abuse drugs or alcohol. After all, when he is high, drunk or stoned, he does not perceive the guilt. As soon as he starts to get sober, not only is he tortured by cravings, but the guilt comes rushing in full force. A little meth makes both the cravings and guilt go away for the moment. But when guilt is finally relieved, the person can begin to see the sunshine in his life again. He can feel his own self-worth again. This is a big step forward on the road out of addiction.

man with confidence and self worth

Tough to Help a Meth Addict But Worth it

A meth addict is very likely to resist your offer of help. He (or she) may not show much resemblance to the person you loved before the drugs took over. But over and over again, it has been demonstrated that the Narconon program can bring back the person you lost. You don’t have to just let them go on their route to destruction. Narconon can help you bring them back to health and life if you act now, before any further harm can come to them. Learn more about how the Narconon program helps by calling today.