Methamphetamine Addiction Treatment

Signs That Meth Use May Require Treatment

Methamphetamine addiction can look different from person to person. Some people become more secretive or isolated. Others seem restless, unusually talkative, irritable, suspicious, or unable to sleep. Loved ones may notice missing money, unexplained absences, dramatic weight changes, skin picking, dental problems, or periods of intense energy followed by exhaustion.

Treatment may be appropriate when someone:

• Uses more meth than intended or cannot stop for long
• Stays awake for long periods and then crashes
• Feels depressed, anxious, paranoid, or agitated after use
• Has lost interest in work, family, school, or personal responsibilities
• Uses meth to cope with stress, trauma, sadness, or low energy
• Returns to use after trying to quit
• Experiences unsafe behavior, medical concerns, or overdose risk

People often ask, "Can meth kill you?" Meth use can contribute to serious medical emergencies, including overdose, heart problems, stroke, overheating, and risky behavior. Any chest pain, confusion, seizure, severe agitation, or loss of consciousness should be treated as an emergency.

Therapies Used in Meth Addiction Treatment

Therapy gives clients a place to understand what meth has been doing for them and what it has been costing them. Treatment may include individual therapy, group therapy, family programming, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy skills, motivational interviewing, relapse prevention, life skills, and case management. The NIDA treatment overview notes that substance use disorders are treatable and that behavioral therapies and other supports can help people reduce drug use and regain function.

A strong treatment plan also prepares clients for high-risk moments. This may include cravings, old contacts, boredom, shame, sleep problems, and the emotional crash that can follow stimulant use.