Meth Addiction Treatment
at Ripple Ranch
Find Treatment for Meth Addiction at Ripple Ranch
Methamphetamine, or meth, is a central nervous system stimulant drug that is both very potent and addictive. Similar to other stimulants, such as amphetamines, methamphetamine results in increased activity, decreased appetite, increased feelings of pleasure, enhanced social interaction, and talkativeness.
According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), more than 2 million Americans age 12 or older had consumed meth in the past year. This makes meth the second most commonly used illegal drug in the United States.
Meth is most commonly consumed in the form of a rock-like substance known as crystal meth. It has been around as an illicit substance since the early 20th century when it was synthesized from amphetamine drugs to treat conditions like nasal congestion and trouble breathing.
In 1970, with the passage of the Controlled Substances Act, methamphetamine was listed as a Schedule II drug. This means the drug, along with other stimulants like cocaine, has a high potential for misuse and dependence.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), “Meth not only changes how the brain works, but also speeds up the body’s systems to dangerous, sometimes lethal, levels — increasing blood pressure and heart and respiratory rates. People who repeatedly use meth may also experience anxiety, paranoia, aggression, hallucinations, and mood disturbances.”
Prolonged use of meth can lead to addiction and dependence. There is also an increased risk for injury and accidents that can cause death.
Diagnosing Substance (Methamphetamine) Use Disorder
While only a doctor can diagnose a substance use disorder for certain, there are certainly things you can look for as a loved one to try to determine if a meth addiction is present.
When diagnosing a meth use disorder, a doctor will turn to the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition,” also known as the DSM-5. The symptoms of a meth addiction are listed in this book. If a person meets any of the following two or more criteria within a one-year period, a substance use disorder is confirmed.
- Larger amounts of use over time
- You consume more meth with each use.
- Multiple attempts to quit
- These attempts have failed and you have returned to meth use.
- Time spent using/finding
- You spend an excessive amount of time thinking about or following through with meth use and finding meth to use.
- Cravings
- You have experienced specific cravings for meth.
- Neglecting roles in society
- You have failed to meet responsibilities at work, school, or home because of meth use.
- Social and interpersonal problems
- You have lost and damaged relationships with friends and family because of meth use.
- Hazardous use
- You have used meth in ways that can be seen as dangerous to yourself and others. This may include driving under the influence, blacking out, or overdosing.
- Physical or psychological problems
- Your substance use has led to physical and mental health issues, but it has not stopped your consumption.
- Tolerance
- You have built a tolerance to methamphetamine and have to use more to reach the desired effects.
- Activities given up
- You no longer find previously enjoyable activities fun and pass on doing them to use meth.
- Withdrawal
- When you stop using meth, you begin to feel withdrawal symptoms.
Diagnosing a substance use disorder is the first step for a doctor. They are also able to determine the severity of the addiction by counting the number of symptoms checked off from the list. If someone meets two to three criteria, they have a mild substance use disorder. If someone meets four to five criteria, they have a moderate substance use disorder. For a person that meets six or more of the criteria, they are seen as having a severe substance use disorder.
Meth Addiction Detox and Rehab at Ripple Ranch
Meth addiction treatment often begins with a detoxification period. During this time, a patient will enter the facility for a set number of days to rid their body and mind of the harmful toxins that linger from the methamphetamine use.
Methamphetamine is a harsh drug that includes many ingredients that are not typically deemed safe for consumption. While one of the key ingredients in the drug is over-the-counter medications, at times, household products like cleaners are introduced into the product. Because of this, the physical and mental damage done needs time to be undone.
During detox at Ripple Ranch Recovery, patients will be given a safe and comforting environment to go through this process. With the assistance of a highly trained and certified staff, patients will be able to complete the process of detoxing with minimal discomfort and risk. The program allows for effective assistance 24/7 from medical staff.
After detox, depending on the advice of medical staff, it will be recommended that you participate in either the residential treatment program or the intensive outpatient program at Ripple Ranch.
At Ripple Ranch, the residential program will take place in our facility for four to six weeks. Our facility is located in beautiful Spring Branch, Texas.
At the facility, with the help of others in the program and many experienced medical professionals with decades of experience in helping patients reach recovery, you will receive around-the-clock care to help break down the challenges that brought you to the facility.
If you elect for the intensive outpatient program (IOP), you will have the chance to receive treatment at our facility while also continuing to maintain a life away from treatment. This is the perfect option for someone entering treatment with a mild substance use disorder and needing to continue to fulfill commitments to work and/or school.
In the IOP, you will participate in our 12-step program or 12-step alternative while completing therapy sessions and classes throughout each week with multiple visits.
Treatments Provided for Meth Addiction at Ripple Ranch
Meth addiction treatment at Ripple Ranch is completely personalized to fit each individual’s needs in treatment. We create a plan for each patient using a mix of our already existing and well-running treatments that have helped others reach long-term recovery.
Our therapies are centered around providing treatment for the whole you and not just your addiction. By doing this, we focus on dual diagnosis treatment that can uncover potential underlying mental health conditions that may be a cause for the substance use in your past. This holistic ideology of treatment is a cornerstone of our system at Ripple Ranch.
Throughout treatment, you will participate in therapies that include:
- Individual therapy
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
- Group therapy
- Life skills classes
- Holistic therapies that focus on improving mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being
- Tai Chi, trauma-informed yoga, exercise, and more
All of these treatments will be done along with following our 12-step or 12-step alternative plan to help set you or your loved one back on the right path.
Medication Assisted Treatment
How Common Is Meth Use in Texas?
The low cost of meth production was assisted for many years by the key ingredient pseudoephedrine. It is a substance found in many over-the-counter decongestants and allergy medications. By combining this substance with many other cheap and widely available household ingredients, meth can be created. In 2005, the entire country gained relief in slowing the growth of meth labs with the passage of the Methamphetamine Epidemic Act. This act restricted and tracked the sales of products containing pseudoephedrine. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), it has produced considerable positive change. Between 2010 and 2017, the number of methamphetamine labs seized fell from 15,256 to 3,036. The NIH also reports that most of the U.S. meth labs now produce somewhere around only 2 ounces.
Side Effects of Meth Addiction
In most cases, meth consumption has immediate effects on the mind and body. Short-term effects may include:
- Increased attention span
- Decreased fatigue
- Decreased appetite
- Increased activity
- Increased wakefulness
- Euphoric rush (joy)
- Irregular heartbeat
- Light breathing
- Hyperthermia (high fever)
Over time, meth consumption can have the following side effects:
- Addiction
- Psychosis (loss of contact with reality)
- Memory loss
- Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t there)
- Paranoia (general fear)
- Repetitive motor activity
- Attention deficits
- Changes in brain functions
- Mood swings
- Aggressive behaviors
- Weight loss
- Dental problems
Signs a Loved One Needs Help With Meth Addiction
Some of the following short-term effects of consuming meth are more evident than others. It is important in a situation where you see the signs of meth use in your loved one to not overreact in the moment. This can be a very tough thing to do, but it is important in the potential process of helping them.
Signs to look for:
- Chaotic or aggressive behavior
- Dilated pupils (black centers of the eyes enlarged)
- Excessive energy
- Speaking fast and rambling to the point of incoherence
- Odd sleeping habits
- Changes in eating habits
- Burns on fingers or lips from smoking
- Nosebleeds from snorting
- Track marks (appear as scratches) from injecting
- Mood swings
- Isolation
- Lying
- Scratching at skin
- Sores from this
- Secretive behaviors
- Inability to sit still
