According to the latest statistics, Crystal Meth addiction is now the biggest pandemic gripping the nation.  Reports suggest that there are at least 1.5 million addicted crystal meth users in the United States. The government has moved in to implement legislation and enforce tough sentencing to curb the numbers.

Getting hooked:
So what drives people to use meth at such unprecedented levels? The answer is three-fold: it’s easy to use, cheap to concoct and can work as an energy booster. 

 Ephedrine or pseudoephedrine which is a major component in methamphetamine is a legal component high on demand from major pharmaceutical companies. Until recently, one could buy these drugs over the counter from any drug store. New legislation in the United States now limits its use, but this had only little effect. Meth is a chemical jambalaya whose components can be found in alcohol, cold tablets and even lithium batteries. Users can set up “home labs” where they can easily make cheap crystal meth by cooking the original ingredients into hard rocks to feed their habit.  

 As to its increasing use, it can be attributed to some of the marginal benefits it affords users. Meth is widely used by party goers as an intensive rush and energy-booster to enhance their partying experience. It has also found use as an appetite suppressant to lose weight.

The problem lies in the ease with which a casual user can get hooked on the drug. Unlike cocaine, for instance, meth directly affects the release of dopamine – a substance that increases cravings. Frequent spikes of dopamine can lead to a strong addiction bordering on the obsession. 

Crystal Meth’s Effect on the Body:
The most disturbing sign of meth addiction is the classic meth-user look of a wounded face and a collapsed jaw. Because Meth is a super Sudafed, it dries out the skin completely.  Addicts begin to believe they are suffering from “meth lice”. This leads to frantic scratching of the face using fingernails – a process generally known as picking. Picking can lead to serious self-inflicted wounds, especially in the face. Another physical sign is rotten teeth and a collapsing jaw. Meth dries out the gum completely and leads to the grinding of the teeth and the jaw collapsing inward. Other physical symptoms include a flushed appearance, severe weightloss, boundless energy, deep sleep and excessive sweating. 

On an emotional level, the effects of a meth addiction can be equally visible and devastating. Some of the emotional signs of meth abuse include irresponsibility, child neglect, and crime (to pay for the drug). A single puff of meth can keep a user high for 24 hours, unlike cocaine or heroin which only last for a couple of hours. For someone on the mend or looking to sustain the habit, this can lead to serious bouts of violence, paranoid schizophrenia and suicidal tendencies.    

Treating Meth Addiction
While any addiction can be difficult to cure, you don’t have to be versed in the intricacies of meth to lend a helping hand. In fact, family support is one of the most important factors in combating the addiction.

If somebody you care about is affected, the best thing to do is acknowledge the addiction and seek professional help. Ignoring the problem or bailing out a meth addict by feeding his habit will only keep him ensnared in the addiction.

Next, you should seek professional help by contacting a qualified drug recovery clinic or preferably a meth-specific treatment program.

Drug recovery clinics concentrate on relieving pain and the emotional response to it. The patient is given the drug in adequate doses to relieve cravings and withdrawal symptoms. This aims to detoxify the patient and break the cycle of addiction over time. One problem with this approach is that it was designated for the treatment of heroin; cocaine and other known drug addictions. Meth, a relatively new craze, can last for months and lead to a lot of withdrawal and relapses over the long run.

Unlike the traditional “pharmacological” approach to drug addiction, a number of treatment programs are now tailored specifically to deal with addiction to meth. These programs go beyond detoxification to prepare the addict for long-time recovery. The patients are coached individually or in small therapy groups of 4 to 6. They are taught about their addiction, ways to manage their cravings and how to avoid substances that could trigger a relapse. 

Sober Living is an alternative option is inpatient treatment is not feasible.  Many sober living homes offer safe, clean, peaceful environments that people facing problems with addiction have successfully recovererd from active addiction outside of a controlled environment.  Many of these homes have live-in house managers that have many years in recovery.  

Family Support is Crucial 

To have someone in your family fall prey to meth addiction is tragic and heart-rending. Both the physical and mental strain can trump their desire for a clean life and keep them ensnared in the vicious cycle of addiction. However, they do not have to live with it through the rest of their life. You, as a family member or close friend, can do a lot to help them find a way out of their addiction. Start by facing their addiction head-on and refer them to an appropriate treatment program. Even after they’ve completed their treatment, there is still a lot you can do. Meth cravings take longer to subsidise than any other drug. Your support, guidance and help are required to ensure they turn around their life and stay free from the insidious crystal for good.