Meth Addiction Treatment & Rehab

Ice, Tina, Crank, Glass or quite simply Crystal Meth, no matter what name you call it, Meth may have become such a controlling part of your daily life.

Understanding what led you to a life with Meth and how you can begin your life free of Meth can assist you with deciding the course of treatment that will be most beneficial to you. This guide details the different addiction treatment options available to you.

Understanding Meth Addiction

There are three stages to meth addiction:

  • Low intensity – Meth is generally swallowed or snorted by low intensity users, who are usually looking for the extra stimulation that Meth provides and are in most cases high functioning, have full time jobs, raise families and are able to quit at any time.
  • Binge Abusers – Low intensity users are just a step away from becoming binge abusers, once a social or intermittent user knows the intensity of the stimulation they have gotten from meth, it becomes easier to use a method such as smoking or injecting to consume meth. The euphoric rushes these methods induce are what make Meth psychologically addictive leading to a crash and binge cycle where you may use for days on end, foregoing food and sleep.
  • High Intensity Abuse – this is where addiction has taken hold, your only focus is preventing the crash and your only goal is a recreation of the rush that you experienced the first time you smoked or injected meth. The physiological tolerance to meth grows and so does your consumption.

Where you fall in these three categories will determine the course of treatment you may require, the possible length of your meth detox, withdrawal symptoms and type of meth rehab programme you may require.

a group of people holding hands

Why Meth Addiction Treatment is Necessary

In addition to addiction, a chronic relapsing disease of its own, the other physical and mental aspects of Meth abuse are:

Psychological effects 

  • Anxiety
  • Confusion
  • Mood disturbances
  • Violent behaviour (also may be known as ‘tweaking’)
  • Paranoia
  • Visual and auditory hallucinations
  • Delusions (you may have the sensation that insects are creeping under your skin)
  • Repetitive motor activity
  • deficits in thinking and motor skills
  • increased distractibility
  • memory loss

Some of these effects can last long after you have stopped using Meth.

Physiological

  • Severe structural & functional changes in the areas of your brain associated with emotion & memory.
  • Increased risk of stroke
  • Increased risk of Parkinson’s Disease
  • Weight Loss
  • Severe tooth decay & tooth loss ‘Meth Mouth’
  • Skin sores – a result of picking and scratching the skin to get rid of imaginary insects.
  • Increased risk of HIV, Hep B & C
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The Health Benefits of Quitting Meth

Being a methamphetamine user,  the effects to health are probably quite evident by now, but the health benefits after you have ceased using are numerous.

Let’s have a look at the benefits stopping now will give you:

  • Brain: Your commitment to a treatment plan and ongoing abstinence from meth, can reverse some of the harmful effects within as little as a year.
  • Heart: After stopping meth use, your cardiac dysfunction can limit your ability to function in society, to work and that can be helped by quitting sooner rather than later and ensuring that you keep up a healthy lifestyle after rehab.
  • Immune System: With a sober lifestyle you will be more likely to remember to eat better, take any chronic medications prescribed correctly and follow a healthy life plan as recommended by your doctor.
  • Teeth: Although with some extreme cases the only treatment for ‘Meth mouth’ may be cosmetic surgery, you may be able to arrest the development of ‘meth mouth’ through a healthier lifestyle, your financial situation after recovery may enable you to seek better dental care and avoid cosmetic surgery.
  • Skin: one of the first things a recovering addict will notice is the condition of their skin, as your health gets stronger, eating healthier food and self care will contribute to a healthier skin.
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    Choosing a Treatment Option

    There are no government approved medications currently to treat Meth addiction, but a combination of meth detox and rehab therapy can help you to live a life free from meth.

    In cases where a Dual Diagnosis (addiction co-occurring with mental illness) both issues need to be treated concurrently for the best outcome.

    Working with a treatment team will assist you with handling your physical and mental reactions to the tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal effects associated with long-term use.

    two men hugging in rehab

    Residential Meth Rehab

    Your treatment for meth addiction within a residential rehab environment is multifaceted:

    • Medical care to assist with the withdrawal symptoms during detox (incl poly-drug use)
    • Psychological care to help you with any underlying mental and psychiatric disorders (Dual-Diagnosis)
    • After care and family support to help you rebuild family relationships, remain supported throughout your recovery.

    Effective treatment addresses all your needs rather than just treating your addiction.

    How does Private Rehab Work?

    Detoxing away from home may be necessary in order to remove you from the environment in which you were using meth.

    A residential or inpatient rehab programme is a private service where you would remain in residence for the duration of your treatment without access to the outside world.

    A medically managed inpatient treatment can help with:

    • Alleviating physical suffering.
    • Ensuring your body’s safe transition to a toxin-free state
    • Reducing mental and physical withdrawal symptoms.
    • providing extra nutrients and vitamins to supplement your body
    • 24/7 assistance through the detox process as well as supportive care during and after your stay to help you maintain your sobriety.
    • Teaching you coping strategies to minimize and manage your cravings
    • Keeping you motivated
    • Getting your loved ones involved in family therapy sessions that strengthen the whole family as a tool against relapse
    • Introducing you to the 12 steps programme and a community support group

     

    A private rehab provides a holistic treatment plan where you are considered as a whole and as such is developed with beneficial health-oriented activities incorporated, such as, balanced diets, exercise including yoga, medication, and individualised healthcare that aims to restore your physical, mental, and spiritual connection.

    Choosing a Rehab Centre

    Sourcing a treatment centre best suited to your individual needs takes some consideration:

    Location

    • Are you wanting to be treated closer to where you live?
    • Does the facility include support systems and after care ?

    Treatment

    • Does the centre have trained and certified professionals suitable for your treatment?
    • Credible programs should offer a wide selection of evidence based therapy options to find the right mix for you. The more options, the better your chance at success.
    • Does the centre offer a treatment program that you like?

    Different treatment centres utilise different therapeutic models

    • 12 Step Model -A spiritual abstinence based programme pioneered by the Alcoholics anonymous (AA) where the belief is that addiction is a disease. The programme focuses on your motivation to change your addictive behaviours within the treatment and recovery process.
    • Non 12 Step Model – These programmes focus on the multifaceted issue that addiction is and offers a treatment programme that includes both physical and psychological therapy.

    Medical

    • Does the treatment centre offer medical assistance to aid your recovery?
    • Does the treatment centre have a good patient to medical team ratio?

    All residential treatment centres in the UK are regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the independent regulator of health and social care in England. All centres are individually rated to ensure that they meet the fundamental standards of quality and safety for your care and treatment.

    We can assist you with finding the right treatment centre for your treatment.

    The Benefits of Private Rehab

    Round the clock supervision, assistance and support provided in a private facility will increase the likelihood of a successful recovery.

    In a good methamphetamine addiction treatment program you will:

    • Learn strategies to minimise and manage your cravings
    • Learn how to stay motivated
    • Learn how to deal with frustration, anger, boredom and celebration without needing to get high
    • Get your loved ones involved in family therapy sessions that strengthen the whole family as a tool against relapse
    • Get introduced to the 12 steps and a community support group
    • You will get the required symptomatic relief from withdrawal to make your detox and withdrawal safer and more manageable.

    a group therapy session

    Private Counselling

    Private counselling is done in an outpatient setting usually as part of your ongoing treatment programme. Addiction is more than just a physical dependence on meth, there are psychological and social triggers that can lead you to relapse even after detox, when your body is no longer hooked (WebMD)

    Having ongoing therapy for months or even years after you are discharged will keep you motivated, accountable and leave you with coping skills for your everyday life

    The Benefits of Private Counselling

    • Dual diagnosis treatment – Depression, ADHD, PTSD etc..
    • One to one therapy
    • Regular meetings with a trained professional
    • Outpatient treatment allows you to continue work or family commitments
     

    Types of Behavioural Therapies for Treating Meth Addiction

    Your unique needs are taken into consideration when structuring a treatment plan and treatment may include a combination of medical care, psychiatric services, counselling, behavioural therapy, vocational training and other services to best support the whole of you throughout recovery.

    In cases where a Dual Diagnosis (addiction co-occurring with mental illness) or poly-drug abuse is an issue they need to be treated concurrently for the best outcome.

    Currently behavioural therapies have proven to be the most effective:

    Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: this type of therapy helps you to recognize your own reactions to environmental, emotional stresses by focusing on learning new ways to cope with the stresses and triggers in your life without Meth.

    The Matrix Model: A 16 week treatment approach that combines the above behavioural therapy, a 12 step programme, family education, counselling and promoting activities that are not Meth related.

    Contingency Management Intervention: Reward based treatment offering incentives like gift cards etc for staying Meth free.

    Paying for Treatment

    The cost of addiction treatment will depend on the type of programme and the duration of treatment. There are also a number of free services available through the NHS as an outpatient service. If you opt for residential rehab, you could expect to pay between £2000-£4000 per week. This includes:

    • All food is provided
    • Managed Detox
    • Accommodation
    • One to one therapy
    • Medical professionals
    • Medication
    • Aftercare and support

    Some private insurance providers do cover private addiction treatment, if you have health insurance, you will need to check what costs are covered and if you will be liable for a co-payment. If you are going private with no insurance a payment plan will have to be made, generally a deposit will be asked for with final payment due on arrival. For more information on the options available to you, please contact us.

    If you opt for an outpatient service, such as private counselling, you would expect to pay the cost of each session. Most therapists charge £40-50 per hour. There are also private home detox services available in the UK, which cost around £1500.

    Jason Sheirs
    Author / Jason Shiers / Dip. Psych MBACP
    Jason Shiers is a Certified Transformative Coach & Certified Psychotherapist who is a specialist in addiction, trauma and eating disorders. He has been working in the field of addiction for 25 years now.