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Methamphetamine (crystal meth or just meth) boosts energy levels and gives you pleasurable feelings, but these benefits come at a serious cost to your health. At Magnolia Medical Group’s offices in Denver and Wheat Ridge, Colorado, the expert team provides patients with counseling and medications to help them overcome meth addiction. To learn more about regaining your health by quitting meth, call your nearest Magnolia Medical Group office today or request a consultation using the online booking form.
What is meth addiction?
Meth is a stimulant drug that makes you feel more awake and alert. It speeds up dopamine production, a neurotransmitter (brain chemical) that gives you a short-lived sense of enhanced well-being. People take more meth to recapture these pleasurable feelings when the effects wear off.
Meth addiction causes considerable physical and behavioral changes. One noticeable symptom typical of meth addiction is rapid, unexplained weight loss. You lose weight because meth suppresses your appetite, which can lead to severe malnutrition. Other meth addiction symptoms include:
- Dry mouth
- Anxiety
- Chronic fatigue
- Mood swings
- Noise sensitivity
- Increased heart rate
- Itchiness
- Injection site wounds
- Rapid eye movement
- Irritability
- Tremors
Meth addiction can seriously impact your life. It affects relationships, physical and mental well-being, and the ability to work or study. Meth addiction also makes people neglect their responsibilities and pursue self-destructive behaviors.
Research shows 1.6 million people 12 and over had a methamphetamine use disorder in 2021.
What long-term effects does meth addiction have?
Meth addiction has severe long-term health effects. It causes gum disease and tooth loss that affect your appearance and ability to speak or eat. Other long-term meth addiction effects include:
- Premature aging
- Liver damage
- Kidney damage
- Cognitive impairment
- Psychosis and hallucinations
- Cardiovascular problems
- Increased risk-taking behaviors
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Sexual dysfunction
The sooner you recognize the harm meth addiction is doing, the better your chances of avoiding these complications and regaining your health.
What does meth addiction treatment involve?
Medication is highly effective in treating meth addiction. The drugs Magnolia Medical Group uses reduce cravings and other withdrawal symptoms and restore brain chemical balance. Drugs you could benefit from include:
Buprenorphine
Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist. It prevents meth cravings and helps reduce withdrawal symptom severity.
Naltrexone
Naltrexone reduces cravings by blocking meth’s pleasurable effects.
Antabuse
Antabuse is an alcohol addiction medication that’s also effective for meth addiction. It causes unpleasant reactions if you take it with meth.
Depending on your needs, you could attend a residential meth addiction program or benefit from outpatient treatment. The Magnolia Medical Group team combines medications with behavioral therapy for the best results. You might benefit from individual addiction counseling and/or group therapy.
Call Magnolia Medical Group today or book an appointment online to benefit from expert meth addiction treatment.