Crystal Meth Addiction

The serenity of the mountains is an ideal environment for overcoming a crystal meth addiction. Cirque Lodge is a private mountain retreat in Sundance Utah where we treat alcohol and drug addiction. For those who are struggling to beat meth abuse, we provide a personalized treatment program to meet their addiction needs. Cirque Lodge is nationally recognized for its effective alcohol and drug rehab program. Crystal meth addiction treatment is available; all it takes is a phone call to 1-877-997-3422.

Crystal meth is a homemade type of methamphetamine. Commonly called crank, jibb, ice, glass, chalk and speed, crystal meth is a compilation of methamphetamine hydrochloride. It is found in two common forms, powder and a crystal rock form. The powder is taken through inhalation (snorting), and well as orally, or mixed in a cocktail. The more dangerous form is the crystalline rock form. This is smoked through a pipe, similar to crack cocaine. When smoked, the speed of the high is almost instant, leading to the highly addictive nature of crystal meth.

Amphetamine Facts

Crystal meth is a just a form of a large family of amphetamine based drugs. Amphetamines were used in small doses in the past as a drug to treat narcolepsy and attention deficit disorder. Due to the highly addictive issue with amphetamine, the schedule class of amphetamine was increased and in most areas taken off the market. Nowadays, amphetamine is produced by laboratories overseas, where it is still legal. Pharmaceutical amphetamine is commonly a powder or pill form, meant to be taken orally.

Amphetamine is a stimulant. Stimulants increase awareness and heighten the senses for a shortened period of time. The amphetamine user has a heightened sense of wellness and confidence. When introduced to the brain, amphetamines trigger the dopamine transmitters in the brain. This creates an influx of euphoria, a sensation of pleasure. Over time, amphetamine becomes less about stimulating the mind and becomes more about the high created by the dopamine system.

Amphetamine is highly addictive. The brain creates a tolerance to amphetamine. The user then needs a larger dosage of the drug to maintain the influence. This practice continues to the point where the body and mind suffers irreconcilably. Through extended amphetamine abuse, the brain is actually altered in chemical structure, creating damage. A drug rehab program oftentimes becomes the only way out of the abyss of amphetamine addiction.

Crystal Meth Facts

Crystal meth is a variation of amphetamine that is made in home and clandestine (secret) labs. Crystal meth is the result of a heating a chemical compound. The chief ingredient in crystal meth is pseudoephedrine. This is a common ingredient found in cough and cold remedies. Crystal meth is becoming a problem because of the ease in making it. Someone with the right equipment can make the drug out of household products purchased at the store. Because of this, enforcement agencies have cracked down on the purchasing of medications containing pseudoephedrine. They have also put into place programs for raising awareness of suspicious purchasing activities. Store employees are educated on what to look for in crystal meth ingredients and purchases.

The chemical reaction of making crystal meth is highly toxic, and can be lethal with the right amount of exposure. Rooms, or facilities, used for making crystal meth are equally as potent and dangerous. Former meth houses have to go through a rigorous process of cleaning and purification before they are actually livable again. Studies have shown the majority of people who are making crystal meth are not selling. They are making it to use themselves. This is a definite sign of crystal meth addiction.

Crystal meth, in its rock crystal form, is placed into a crude pipe and smoked. The smoke is absorbed into the soft lining of the lungs and the high is almost instant. The high of crystal meth is fast reacting. Because of this, a crystal meth addict will go for an extended period of time loading up on the drug to maintain the high. This also increases the stranglehold crystal meth addiction has on the individual.

Extended crystal meth abuse does a large amount of damage to the chemical structure of the brain. The dopamine system in the brain is damaged, making it more and more difficult to feel pleasure. This attributes to a withdrawal symptom of depression and a feeling of bleakness. A crystal meth addict will also have a sense of skin irritation. They can resort to incessant scratching of the skin, known as "tweaking". The brain damage of crystal meth addiction also causes the addict to be paranoid and on edge.

Treatment for Crystal Meth Addiction

Crystal meth is highly addictive. In most cases a drug rehab program is needed for overcoming the problems that stem from crystal meth addiction. Treatment in a crystal meth program needs to address to areas of need, the psychological and the physical. Unlike other drugs, the withdrawal problems from stopping crystal meth abuse are limited. Most of them are psychological problems. However, detox is still required to treat the crystal meth addict as they enter a drug rehab program. Detox helps to address any present withdrawal problems. Depression, severe depression, is a withdrawal symptom when coming down from crystal meth. Medications are implemented to help with combating depression.

Drug rehab needs to address the psychological problems that stems from crystal meth addiction. An effective drug rehab program will provide personal therapy to address these issues. The therapist uses tools of psychotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy to address the issues within the addict. Addiction goes much deeper than just using and abusing crystal meth. It is a compilation of a number of sociological and psychological factors. Personal therapy in drug rehab is designed to address such issues.

A common problem of crystal meth addiction is that it suppresses the appetite. A crystal meth addict can go for extended periods of time without eating anything. The physical appearance of the crystal meth addict is greatly affected by this behavior. Because of this, the meth addict is in dire need of nutrients. Drug rehab should incorporate a program to help the crystal meth addict physically. This includes a nutrition program to help them with eating. When coming down from drugs, eating nutritious and good foods can become the new practice of the addict.

The drug rehab program at Cirque Lodge functions as crystal meth treatment facility. For individuals in need of treatment for meth addiction, Cirque Lodge offers an effectively balanced program. Treatment is personalized with effective elements of therapy to treat psychological complications. It is balanced with the right elements of support through family programs and support groups. Experiential therapy is implemented to balance out the program, and to provide a platform for learning effective recovery coping strategies. Hope and help is available for overcoming crystal meth addiction, call Cirque Lodge today.

For more information about addiction treatment at Cirque Lodge, please see our narcotic addiction or Addiction Rehab pages.