Meth Addiction in Staten Island, NY

One of the most frightening and concerning drug abuse issues in the nation is meth addiction. Meth addiction is a serious health condition that is both chronic and relapsing in nature. Meth, also referred to by its full name of methamphetamine is an unbelievably potent illegal stimulant drugs. When it is consumed, meth causes a person to experience an intense and almost immediate wave of euphoria and induces a state of extreme wakefulness.

Because of the fast-acting and strong effects that the drug has, it is no wonder that meth addiction is such a common occurrence when a person abuses meth. A meth addiction, which is characterized by being unable to stop using meth even when negative life and health issues occur, can develop even after consuming the drug only once or twice.

How Prevalent Is Meth Addiction in the United States?

Thankfully, meth addiction is on the decline across the country. Major efforts by government, law enforcement agencies, recovering addicts, and drug treatment programs to reduce the creation, distribution, and consumption of meth have proven highly effective.

Between the years of 2005 and 2011, the percentage of drug treatment requests for meth went down from 8.1 percent to just 5.6 percent according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Here on Staten Island, while meth addiction and abuse does occur, it is one of the least prevalent reasons for seeking out drug treatment. This does not mean that meth is not of concern on Staten Island, though, and a person with a meth addiction should absolutely seek out treatment.

The Effects of Meth Abuse

Meth abuse, as previously noted, can quickly lead to dependence and addiction. In addition to the euphoria and wakefulness that people experience when they consume the drug, they may also experience manic and jittery energy and be unable to sit still, slow down, or speak at a normal pace. Meth also elevates the heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. Sometimes, these effects can cause a health crisis, particularly if a person has a preexisting heart condition.

People who consume meth also often lose their appetite and continued meth abuse often leads to extreme weight loss and issues with malnutrition. The drug can also cause extreme dental damage and tooth loss, organ damage, mental health issues like depression and anxiety, schizophrenia, psychosis, skin infections, and even accidental death due to overdose.

Treating an Addiction to Meth

Because the hold that meth has over a person’s physical brain as well as their emotions and mental state is so strong, it is virtually impossible to overcome an addiction alone. The National Institute on Drug Abuse has found that medical intervention is required to get an addiction under control and to build the skills needed for lifelong abstinence.

The first step in the treatment process from any of the better quality treatment centers is medical detox. During medical detox, all traces of meth leave the body and the recovering addict’s brain begins to try to readjust to not having the drug there to send signals and cause actions to be performed. As the brain tries to find its balance again, a person will experience withdrawals. Withdrawals from meth can be intense and may be treatable through medications and other medical interventions to help ease discomfort and make detox more manageable.

Once meth is no longer influencing a person’s mind, they can work through the issues that led them to abuse meth through various therapies and treatments. It is important to recognize triggers and confront life issues that cause self-destructive behaviors in order to move on and learn to cope in more healthy ways.
Get the meth addiction information you need through Staten Island Drug Treatment Centers. Just call one of our friendly recovery advocates today at (929) 575-5202.