How to Quit Meth / Methamphetamine
How to Quit Meth
This article informs and teaches an individual using Meth
(Methamphetamine, Crystal Meth) how to break the cycle of addiction
and how to quit meth. It details reasons to quit,
what to expect and an in depth discussion of a couple different
ways to quit Meth. For loved ones of Meth users this article offers
information that can teach you what your friend or family member is
going through and advise you how to help them through this
difficult time.
What is Meth?
Meth is a
psychostimulant and sympathomimetic drug which when consumed
induces intense euphoria. Tolerance can
develop quickly for users, meaning that people who abuse Meth will
need to rapidly increase their dosage to achieve the same
effect. This also helps to give Meth an extremely high
potential for addiction.
Meth is used for a number of medical uses including attention
deficit hyperactivity disorder, obesity, and narcolepsy.
However, due to it's highly addictive nature it is usually only
used when other drugs have proven ineffective. Meth is
administered into the body a number of different ways.
Because ingestion requires the most time (about half an hour)
before it kicks in, ingestion is rarely used by Meth abusers or
addicts. Addicts often inject, smoke, or snort meth because
the effects will be much more immediate and intense.
Injection is usually the most popular method for use because of the
initial rush from injection (usually only 2-3 minutes after
injection), producing a strong feeling of euphoria.
Reasons to Quit
There are a number of health issues closely associated with meth
abuse. One issue, commonly referred to as Meth mouth, is
where meth users and addicts lose their teeth abnormally
quickly. While the drug itself is not corrosive, the American
Dental Association attirbutes to the "drug-induced psychological
and physiological changes resulting in xerostomia (dry mouth),
extended periods of poor oral hygiene, frequenty consumption of
high-calorie, carbonated beverages and bruxism (teeth grinding and
clenching)." The poor dental hygiene that Meth users often
can will cause Meth mouth.
Another effect of Meth is an increase in the user's sex drive,
also increasing the likelihood of participating in unsafe sexual
activities. A study conducted in San Diego, found that
Meth users were six times less likely to use
condoms. Unprotected sex can often lead to the
transmission of sexually transmitted diseases.
Injecting meth also carries a number of other health risks, such
as the transmission of diseases like HIV or hepatitis. In
addition, half of newborn babies whose mothers used Meth during
pregnancy experience withdrawal experience.
Quitting
How to quit Meth? Meth abuse, like other forms
of substance abuse, can have a very negative effect on an
individual and their family. Because Meth is so addictive,
people who attempt to quit Meth can undergo very intense
withdrawal. Some common symptoms associated with withdrawal
are:
- Excessive sleeping
- Excessive eating
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Drug Craving
Quitting Meth on your own is extremely difficult and we
recommend that all Meth users go to a local rehab center. The success rate
for breaking addiction is dramatically higher if the Meth user
checks into a rehab facility. However, we do list two
different methods of quitting that people trying to break the Meth
addiction commonly try.
The Cold Turkey Method
The cold turkey method involves the Meth abuser completely
halting Meth use. This is the most traumatic for the abuser and
they will likely undergo the most extreme withdrawal symptoms. In
this case it is best to avoid getting into any situations where the
person will be tempted to take Meth. While this person is off
the drug they will often have difficulty acting normally or
rationally, making reasoning with them very difficult. The
cold turkey method can be very difficult, but if completed
successfully the person will be off Meth completely and
immediately.
The Tier Method
The tier method involves slowly
decreasing the amount and frequency of Meth consumption until
eventually no more use occurs. Compared with the cold turkey
method, the withdrawal symptoms will be milder and perhaps more
bearable for the abuser. However, unlike the cold turkey
method this process can take much longer. Similar to cold
turkey, the person should be kept away from situations where they
will be tempted to take more than the planned amount of Meth.
One way to begin, is to cut the dosage to 1/2. If this change is
too dramatic and the withdrawal symptoms are too extreme, start
with 3/4ths. Next try cutting the frequency of use down by 50%.
Continue repeating this process until the user is no longer taking
the substance.
Summary
Quitting Meth is an intelligent and necessary decision in order
to break the addiction cycle and live life to its fullest.
For Meth users or those who know someone with a Meth addiction
problem, we recommend visiting an addiction rehab center. If this
is not possible, consider trying the cold turkey or tier
method.
Resources
-
http://www.webmd.com/brain/news/20050405/brain-may-repair-itself-when-meth-users-quit?src=rss_foxnews
- http://www.ehow.com/how_4932962_quit-using-meth.html
- http://www.justice.gov/dea/concern/meth.html
