Meth, or methamphetamine, is a highly addictive street drug that permanently alters dopamine activity in the central nervous system. Known by its ability to stimulate, meth increases heart rate, metabolism, thought processes and body temperature. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, in 2008 approximately 850,000 individuals in the United States 12 years and older had experimented with the drug. Using meth can lead to numerous medical conditions from mental illness and violence to severe dental problems.
Detoxification
Meth detoxification is considered a process by which an individual's body is cleared of toxins. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration states that a detoxification treatment program must be supportive both medically and psychologically for the humane removal from drug dependence to the withdrawal stage. Most treatment programs also offer holistic and nutritional support while the individual is learning alternative methods to cope with problems and forming new relationships.
Counseling
A substance abuse counselor facilitates both group and one-on-one exchange that includes crisis intervention, social support, advocacy, and insight while allowing open dialogue about personal matters. Princeton Review adds that the substance abuse counselor will often refer clients with special needs to psychological, medical, housing and social services in order to assist the addict in acquiring more community supports. This is viewed as a means to help those addicted and detoxed to adjust in the community they are returning to and make healthier choices in the future.
Drug Education
Meth addicts receiving in-patient treatment services can expect a healthy-dose of drug education. Narconon, the original drug rehabilitation program in the United States, moves the addict through a series of training modules over the duration of their stay. With the assistance of an educator, addicts begin with learning the effects of meth use on their lives, and move forward into topics such as identification of potential triggers for relapse, stress management, coping skills, relationships and boundaries, as well as the role of spirituality in recovery.
