Meth Addiction Rehab in Pennsylvania
Meth is a highly addictive drug that causes serious harm over time. Thankfully, meth addiction treatment provides a pathway to recovery and a life free from substances. At Peace Valley Recovery we offer a comprehensive drug rehab program here in Pennsylvania for anyone trying to overcome addiction. We understand the detrimental impact that meth abuse has. We’re here to help you build the foundation for lifelong recovery.
What is Meth?
Methamphetamine, usually referred to as meth or crystal meth, is an illicit stimulant drug. It affects the central nervous system (CNS) and produces an intense rush, incredible amounts of energy, and feelings of euphoria. This is one of the reasons methamphetamine is such an addictive drug. These sudden and drastic effects hook many people from the first time they use it.
The high from meth is rather short-lived. Users start to “crash” as the effects wear off, leading to exhaustion, irritation, and other unpleasant reactions. To keep the pleasurable high going for as long as possible and avoid the crash, users typically binge use meth. Since the drug is a stimulant, meth binges keep them up for days at a time until they eventually crash.
Other names for methamphetamine include ice, blue, and crystal meth. The latter refers to the coarse crystalline “rock” or crushed powder form that the drug comes in. It’s usually white in color but some batches are yellow, brown, or pink.
Users ingest methamphetamine one of three main ways:
- Snorting (in powder form)
- Smoking (in powder form)
- Injecting it intravenously (when mixed into a liquid form)
Regular use can lead to meth addiction, a serious condition with devastating consequences. Methamphetamine is a powerful drug and it’s not easy to stop using the drug once addiction sets in. Seeking help for your drug addiction as soon as possible is crucial.
Methamphetamine Use in the United States
Most people are aware of the impact that alcohol and drugs have on the United States. Alcohol and prescription medications are the two most abused substances among people ages 12 and older. The ruinous effects of the opioid epidemic plaguing the country are more apparent than ever before. What about methamphetamine abuse, though?
The straightforward manufacturing process made it relatively accessible throughout the country. Now cartels are trafficking it into the United States, too. The Drug Enforcement Administration announced its largest meth bust to date at the start of October 2020. Widespread demand doesn’t seem to be slowing down, either.
Although you don’t hear about meth use as often, it affects more people than you might think. Nationwide rates of both meth use and abuse are also on the rise according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. An average of 510 people tried the drug for the first time every day in 2019.
Additionally, an estimated 1 million people ages 12 and older in the U.S. have active methamphetamine use disorder. The number of people with active use disorder rose more than 46% compared to statistics from 2018.
Meth Addiction Statistics in Pennsylvania
The opioid epidemic hit Pennsylvania hard but the state is also impacted by rising rates of meth use. 57,000 residents throughout Pennsylvania reported using methamphetamine in the past year. Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Johnstown showed an uptick in use at the start of 2019. The growing numbers of meth users didn’t stop there, though.
The drug started in the northwestern regions of the state and trickled further down into the southwest regions. U.S. Attorney General Scott Brady warned of another surge at the start of 2020. Additionally, the DEA and state police intercepted shipments of the drug on its way to Philadelphia.
Bucks County has its own struggles with the influx of methamphetamine, too. In mid-June 2020, state officials broke apart a drug ring that distributed upwards of 20 pounds of meth each week. They spread the substance throughout Bucks County and the surrounding areas during the past few years.
Thankfully, Peace Valley Recovery offers meth rehab in Bucks County for those stuck in the cycle of meth addiction. It isn’t easy to escape the trap of drug abuse alone but when you seek help, either for yourself or a loved one, you can find recovery.
What Does Meth Addiction Look Like?
Are you concerned someone you love is using methamphetamine? Maybe you noticed some changes in their appearance or behavior and wonder whether they’re trying to hide their meth addiction. The drug is a powerful substance that causes some clear and obvious reactions. Effects of meth use are often referred to as “tweaking”, due to the twitchy, erratic behaviors.
Signs of Meth Addiction
If you’re worried about your loved one is tweaking, look for some of the following signs:
- Loss of appetite and drastic weight loss
- Dilated pupils or rapid, shifting eye movements
- Strange interrupted sleeping patterns
- Staying awake for days at a time
- Obsessive skin picking or hair pulling that often leaves open wounds or scabs
- Erratic physical mannerisms like twitching, facial tics, exaggerated movements
- Excessive talking
- Sudden changes in behavior, such as extreme shifts in mood, spending more time alone, or changing their social group
- Unexpected bursts of irritation, frustration, or anger
- Psychotic behaviors including paranoia, hallucinations, or psychosis
- Selling or pawning possessions, borrowing money without repaying it, or stealing
- Finding drug paraphernalia (glass pipes, dirty spoons, syringes)
One of the clearest signs of meth use is a noticeable shift in their behavior. Keep an eye out for shifts that seem especially uncharacteristic, unexpected, or out of the ordinary. Someone who is hiding a problem with meth abuse may not show all of the signs above, though. Not everyone has the same experiences but you’ll likely notice at least a few.
Treatment for Meth Addiction in Pennsylvania
The stigma associated with addiction keeps people from seeking treatment but meth addiction can affect anyone. There is nothing to be ashamed of if you or a loved one struggle with methamphetamine use. Substance abuse can affect anyone and it is nothing to be ashamed of. Attending treatment empowers people to overcome their battle with drug addiction.
Searching for meth addiction rehab in Pennsylvania can be overwhelming, though. There are many things to consider when looking for a treatment facility. Learning more about treatment for meth addiction will help you make an informed decision. You can also reach out for help: people are available to answer your questions and walk you through the process.
Meth addiction treatment offers a few levels of care: detox, inpatient rehab, and outpatient treatment. The level of treatment that’s right for you depends on your individual needs. Speak with an addiction treatment specialist who can clarify which path is most beneficial for you.
Medical Detox
Many people seeking recovery start with medical detox. Addiction treatment approaches are not effective until all substances are cleared from a person’s system. Withdrawing from meth causes a mix of both physical and psychological symptoms. These include:
- Drug cravings
- Headaches
- Body aches and pains
- Clammy skin
- Tremors or shaking
- Irregular heartbeat
- Hyperventilation
- Difficulties sleeping
- Troubles controlling appetite
- Stomach troubles
- Cognitive difficulties
- Fatigue
- Agitation, frustration, or bursts of anger
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Hallucinations
Withdrawal symptoms are one of the biggest contributors to relapse. Attending medical drug detox limits the likelihood of relapse because it offers 24-hour supervision. Clinicians monitor symptoms and often use medications to manage them. The most intense withdrawal symptoms occur during the first week. Then clients transition to the next phase of treatment once the main withdrawal process is complete.
Inpatient Rehab
Some people transition from detox to an inpatient meth rehab program. These treatment facilities provide scheduled p