How to Quit Using Meth

Methamphetamine, or colloquially called meth, is a powerful stimulant that is prescribed by medical professionals in very low doses to help control conditions stemming from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. However, it has become a devastatingly illicit drug used recreationally. To understand the devastating and long-reaching effects of meth, it’s important to have a more comprehensive understanding of the drug’s origin, usage, and dissemination.

Meth is a potent central nervous system stimulant that first came into the public imagination in the 1890s. First synthesized in 1887, methamphetamine was used during World War II in a tablet form due to its performance-enhancing stimulant properties, including extended wakefulness. In war, soldiers have found it to be beneficial in ensuring that they stay awake for long periods, making them more effective foot soldiers.

For the following century, methamphetamine has found itself in treatments to treat obesity, with its addictive qualities largely being ignored. Eventually, the government began to strictly regulate the distribution of methamphetamine products. Finally, during the 1970s, amphetamine became a schedule two controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act.

In the 1980s, crystal meth took hold. Street dealers eventually found that if they cut ephedrine — an active ingredient in popular over-the-counter cold medicines – then they’ll be able to produce crystal meth. Crystal meth has been known to be twice as potent as the pharmaceutical-grade methamphetamine.

Smoking crystal meth is one of the more popular methods of abusing it. The hydro-chloride salt from methamphetamine can be smoked by itself. The powdered form of methamphetamine can be injected, snorted, or ingested.

Crystal meth side effects include:

  • A false sense of well-being. Immediately after exposure, users will feel euphoric. They may feel that their body might go longer or faster — after the drug effects wear off, users experience a severe mental and physical crash.
  • Addiction to this euphoria. Users will become addicted to this euphoric feeling, requiring more methamphetamine to reach the same high. Continued use will affect sleep patterns, cause hyperactivity, nausea, and increased irritability.
  • Irreversible harm. Long-range damage includes increased heart rate and blood pressure, and permanently damage blood vessels that can eventually lead to cardiovascular collapse or death.

The Benefits of Luxury Rehabilitation

While there are psychological and physiological effects that users pursue when using meth, oftentimes there are underlying factors that compel them to use. Rehabilitation uses a combination of therapy, in-group and solo therapy sessions, and medications.

While all viable rehabilitation centers and clinics have the proper tools to assist those who are suffering from addiction, a luxury rehabilitation center has unique benefits.

  • Patient to staff ratio. A luxury rehab center will allow the patient to be under the care of a knowledgeable staff member at all times, through all phases of their journey.
  • Access to alternative care. There are tried-and-true methods of rehabilitating a chronic user — but luxury centers can offer alternative care. These programs may include a combination of fitness, yoga, meditation, massages, and other healthy activities that will help a patient stay mentally stimulated while being physically weaned from their drug vices.
  • Enhanced comfort. At a luxury rehab center, you will have access to additional amenities that will help you feel more comfortable. These include private rooms with features like quality bedding, linens, and large private bathrooms. While at the surface level these luxuries may not be important, they are included to help patients feel more relaxed and at peace with themselves.

Benefits of Inpatient Care

Inpatient rehab programs offer a comprehensive solution. It includes patient staying within the facility during the tenure of the program, with these sort of programs having a higher success rate than outpatient rehabilitation. While it is more disruptive to daily life, it offers constant medical and emotional support, with most treatments lasting from 30 days to several months. It is designed to treat addiction to meth, barring the distractions of everyday life from interfering with treatment.

With our inpatient program, the patient still has access to the family since they play a role in a successful recovery. Family members can contact loved ones and work in tandem with the facility to provide further encouragement.

About Grace Recovery

Grace Recovery is a new state-of-the-art addiction treatment that is located in the heart of Hollywood, California. Grace Recovery has a litany of luxury amenities and the latest in substance abuse programming. Our rehabilitation offers different levels of detoxification as well as inpatient care.

Los Angeles, like many other areas in the United States, has been hit with a meth epidemic. To begin your journey to a healthier you, contact Grace Recovery today.

How to Quit using Heroin

Heroin is one of the most addictive street drugs out there, and the epidemic is growing. According to a 2016 National Survey on drug use published in Drug Policy http://www.drugpolicy.org/drug-facts/how-many-people-use-heroin, roughly 475,000 people ages 12 and older have reported using heroin in the last month. Over 948,000 people reported using it in the last year, and 4,981,000 people reported using the drug at least once in their life. These statistics are grim, and they are getting worse all the time.

How Does a Heroin Addiction Develop?

When heroin is snorted, smoked, or injected, it enters the brain. There, it impacts the Opioid receptors in the brain, which bring on feelings of comfort and euphoria. Over time, the neurons in the brain begin to adapt to the drug, making it difficult to function normally without heroin. Without the drug, withdrawal symptoms start.

What Are the Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms?

Within 6 to 12-hours without the drug, the withdrawal symptoms will begin. The severity and length of time that you experience withdrawal symptoms depend on a few factors:

  • How long you have been using
  • How often you use
  • How much you are using
  • Your age
  • Your genetics
  • Your overall health
  • Whether you are addicted to alcohol or another drug.

The physical symptoms of withdrawal include:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Chills
  • Bone pain
  • Cold sweats
  • Abdominal pain
  • Seizures

Heroin also causes psychological withdrawal symptoms that include:

  • Intense cravings
  • Restlessness
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Insomnia
  • Tremors
  • Agitation
  • Fatigue
  • Hallucinations

What Are the Dangers Of Quitting Cold Turkey?

Quitting heroin cold turkey is not a good idea for a few reasons. According to American Addiction Centers https://americanaddictioncenters.org/heroin-treatment/cold-turkey, people who try to quit heroin cold turkey are 60 to 90 percent more likely to relapse.

Trying to quit cold turkey can also be very harmful to your health. The vomiting and diarrhea caused by quitting heroin can cause you to become extremely dehydrated, which can be very dangerous to your health. When depression and anxiety begins, it can cause you to harm yourself and even consider suicide. In severe cases, seizures can occur, which is very serious.

Why Is Medical Detox Recommended for Heroin Addiction?

Medical detox from heroin makes the whole process more comfortable and much safer. During the detox process, you would be monitored by a medical professional. To prevent dehydration, you would be given IV fluids. You can also be prescribed medication such as buprenorphine. It is classified as an Opioid, but it doesn’t give you the feeling of euphoria that heroin does; therefore, it causes less physical dependence. This medication can be used in conjunction with the drub Suboxone. These drugs working together can help with the heroin cravings as well as the withdrawal symptoms.

There Is More To Recovery Than Detox

If you make it through the detox process, it doesn’t mean that your journey to sobriety has ended. There is more to giving up heroin for good than going to detox and getting the drug out of your system. If you are going to be successful in your sobriety, you are going to need to enter an inpatient addiction treatment center. The services provided in these facilities are essential to your sobriety.

  • One-on-one therapy: Most people start using heroin for a reason. For many, it is to self-medicate an underlying psychological issue. During your individual sessions, your therapist will help you get to the root of the cause of your addiction so that it can be treated.
  • Group therapy: During group therapy, you will sit with other addicts and a facilitator. It will give you a chance to tell your story and to hear other people’s stories. This will provide you with more insight into your addiction while creating a support system for yourself.
  • Family therapy: Addiction often puts rifts between you and your family members. When you leave the inpatient treatment center, you are going to need a support system. During family therapy, you can work with your family to mend your relationship.

Aftercare Services

When you have completed your time in treatment, the work doesn’t end there. Aftercare services are essential if you are going to stay sober when you are back in the real world. A few essential services include:

  • Sober living: Leaving inpatient treatment can be stressful. Sober living housing is the best way to ease your way back into your life.
  • One-on-one therapy: After leaving treatment, you will need to continue individual therapy with a counselor to maintain your sobriety.
  • 12-Step Program: Narcotics Anonymous provides an excellent support system when you leave treatment. Going to meetings with people who have been through what you have been through is essential to your sobriety.

Quitting heroin cold turkey is not recommended. Not only is the chance of relapse extremely high, but it can also be very dangerous. Grace Recovery is a state-of-the-art addiction treatment program where you can get the help that you need. Upon checking in, you would go to our detoxification program, so that you can get the drugs out of your system safely. Once you have successfully detoxed, you would go to our inpatient treatment center, where we will provide all of the essential services to help you be successful in your recovery.