Drug-induced fatalities in Florida are slightly higher than the national average, while illicit use of drugs is reportedly at 8.32%, which is lower than the national rate of 8.82%. If you live around Boynton Beach you must’ve felt the increasing sentiment against meth usage.
If you or someone you care about is suffering from meth addiction, then you should read this guide. In it, we explore meth addiction treatment in Boynton Beach and explain why you need to seek help immediately if you have that problem.
Table of Contents
Understanding Methamphetamine Addiction
Methamphetamine abuse has increased in recent years, with fatality rates off the chart. It’s a niche drug that targets young affluent individuals and doesn’t let off. Cases of overdosing on meth are becoming common, which is truly sad.
Providing treatment for meth addiction starts with explaining what this drug is, and why meth addiction is a serious matter.
What Is Meth?
Methamphetamine, commonly known as meth, is a powerful and highly addictive synthetic stimulant that overpowers the central nervous system. It floods the brain with dopamine giving rise to a state of fake happiness or euphoria.
Continued use of this drug can cause severe mental and physical damage. Common side effects of using meth include anxiety, paranoia, high blood pressure, and eventually cognitive impairment.
The addictive nature of meth makes it pretty hard to quit, but recovery is still possible with the right treatment.
Effects of Meth on the Mind and Body
The effects of using meth can be quite significant depending on the level of addiction severity, and how long an individual has been using the drug.
Short Term Effects
- Insomnia
- Elevated heart rate
- Increased physical activity
- Decreased appetite
- Euphoria
- Higher libido
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Agitation
Long Term Effects
- Malnutrition
- Evident weight loss
- Severe dental problems “Meth mouth”
- Cardiovascular problems
- Increased risk of stroke or heart attack
- Liver and kidney damage
- Lung damage
- Memory loss
- Impaired cognitive function
- Delusions and hallucinations
- Mood swings and depression
The Meth Addiction Cycle
Meth addiction becomes a vicious circle after a few times of using the drug. What some kids think of as a recreational drug is, in fact, a horrible substance that’s hard to detoxify. The addiction cycle looks like this:
- Initial use: The initial experience of dopamine flooding and extreme pleasure is hard to ignore. Usually, individuals who have tried meth even once develop positive reinforcement and seek repeats right away.
- Tolerance: Meth usage causes dopamine depletion in the brain, which leads to higher tolerance of the drug. People consuming meth are known to require increasing amounts of the substance to achieve the same level of euphoria they felt on their initial use.
- Dependence: Experiencing dopamine surges becomes impossible with excessive usage of meth. However, getting off meth entirely causes cruel withdrawal symptoms. At this point, a person suffering from meth addiction depends on the drug to just feel normal.
- Severe crash: When the drug wears off, meth users experience a violent crash that leaves them unable to move or function.
- Withdrawal: Using meth has a whole set of unpleasant physical and mental health issues. Also, it ceases to give addicts the dopamine surge they crave. That’s why many people decide to stop using the drug.
Unfortunately, withdrawal comes with its own woes. Individuals experience fatigue, pain, depression, and incessant craving. Many can’t stand the discomfort and relapse.
Challenges of Meth Addiction
Brain damage is the biggest problem of prolonged drug abuse. The brain suffers neurochemical changes that are hard to reverse. Dopamine depletion is one of many negative outcomes.
Another problem is relapsing and inability to quit using meth. Meth is highly addictive, and its cravings are hard to ignore.
Treatment Options in Boynton Beach
Self-medication is rarely successful when it comes to recovering from using meth. We recommend seeking help from specialized professionals at a reputable addiction treatment facility.
If you’re currently residing in Boynton Beach, Florida, then you can find the following treatment options.
Inpatient Rehabilitation Centers
People suffering from severe meth addiction usually need to check into a treatment facility for at least 30 days. Their stay could extend to 90 days if needed. Inpatient protocols usually offer 24/7 care and attention.
Other benefits of choosing an inpatient residential program include:
- Medically supervised detox
- Ensuring patient safety and comfort during withdrawal
- Customized treatment plans
- Structured environment
- Staying away from temptation
- Peer support and group therapy
Outpatient Programs
A person who is mildly addicted to meth, and is truly committed to quitting the drug, can choose an outpatient program. These programs offer full support, plus, the flexibility of staying home while receiving addiction treatment.
The benefits of this program include:
- Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP): 9-20 hours of treatment/week
- Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP): 20+ hours of treatment/week
- Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)
- Group and individual therapy sessions
- Relapse prevention training
- Regular drug testing
Detox Services
Detoxification (detox) is an integral part of any addiction treatment program. If any traces of the drug remain in a patient’s system, cravings are inevitable. Given time, the body can rid itself of meth. The problem is the withdrawal symptoms, which can be severe.
Detox services can be carried out in the inpatient or outpatient setting, depending on the severity of meth addiction. The treatment facility often provides proper nutrition, withdrawal medication, psychological support, and transition planning.
Counseling and Therapy
Addiction treatment facilities usually offer counseling and therapy as a part of an inpatient/outpatient program or as a stand-alone service. The goal is to understand the root causes of a person’s addictions, manage cravings, and learn how to prevent relapses.
This service can include any of the following:
- Individual counseling
- Group therapy and shared experiences
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Motivational interviewing
- Trauma therapy
- Contingency management
- The Matrix model
- Holistic and alternative treatments
- Mindfulness and meditation
- Art and music therapy
- Nutrition and exercise programs
Challenges and Considerations of Meth Treatment
Cost and Insurance Coverage
Meth addiction treatment can be costly. More so for inpatient residential programs. On average, a 30-day program ranges from $14,000 to $27,000. Outpatient programs go from $5000 to $10,000 for a standard outpatient program. Detox costs around $1000 per day.
Insurance coverage is certainly a better option, especially, if the treatment cost is paid in full. Not all insurance plans give full coverage though. Partial payments are more common, and they might also limit the treatment duration.
Some facilities provide sliding scale fees that vary with income. State-funded treatment is also an option, but it usually has long waiting lists and plenty of red tape.
Stigma of Meth Addiction
The social stigma that comes with receiving addiction treatment is undeniable. Many people are reluctant to seek help because of this contingency. Fear of being judged by family, friends, or work colleagues can be a powerful deterrent.
Additionally, some states place legal consequences for drug possession. Many people forego addiction treatment if it would mean stigmatizing them criminally.
It’s important to view substance addiction as a disease that requires medical attention, rather than a character flaw that a person should be ashamed of.
Seeking Help
Taking the first step towards getting addiction treatment requires courage and determination. Both qualities are in short supply if a person is in the throes of meth addiction.
Support from loving family and friends is often the only way a person suffering from meth addiction can step into a healing path.
Conclusion
Breaking free from meth addiction is a miraculous journey back to good health and wellness. This substance controls the brain and seizes the central nervous system. It needs a specialized treatment to detox the body from its harmful effects. If you’re in Boynton Beach, Florida, you can certainly find proper addiction treatment. Don’t hesitate, and select a suitable treatment plan. Full recovery is always possible.
