Methamphetamines

Methamphetamine-also known as "crank," "crystal meth," "speed," "ice" and "glass" among other things-is a highly addictive stimulant that rapidly deteriorates the mental and physical state of those who take the drug. Used recreationally, to lose weight and to increase the amount of time and focus at work, in creative endeavors and in sports, methamphetamine is dangerous on many levels. Whether it is ingested by injection, snorted through the nose, smoked or swallowed, methamphetamine is a highly addictive drug that requires medical treatment at a drug rehabilitation facility equipped to handle the mental and physical effects of methamphetamine addiction, a facility like The Canyon.

Tucked away in the Santa Monica Mountains, The Canyon is a sprawling estate dedicated to the healing and recovery of alcoholics and addicts, be they men or women, teenagers or the elderly, pregnant or parents, specializing in helping those who suffer from co-occurring disorders in addition to drug addiction.

The Effects of Methamphetamine

Sold in its white crystalline form, methamphetamine is most often snorted as it is or dissolved in water and injected. No matter how it is taken, it has an effect similar to that of its relative, amphetamine: increased awareness, heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature as well as a decreased need for sleep and food. Its effects, however, last up to eight hours as opposed to the relatively short period that the same amount of an amphetamine would affect the body. After prolonged use-addicts often stay awake for days-it's not uncommon to experience auditory and visual hallucinations and an intense paranoia.

All drugs tear down the body and weaken the mind, becoming the center of focus to their victims, but methamphetamine has a devastating effect on the user that is shocking in its depth and speed. In fewer than six months, a methamphetamine addict will look at least a decade older, diminutive in stature with sallow, scabby skin and little muscle tone. Mentally, they become paranoid and irritable, a phenomenon so severe that it has earned its own nickname: "speed psychosis."

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Methamphetamine Addiction

Regular use of methamphetamine, no matter how it is ingested, leads to a tolerance for the drug and subsequently a physical and mental dependence on obtaining a steady supply. More and more methamphetamine is required to achieve the same effects as the body's tolerance increases over time. The stimulation of dopamine caused by the drug activates the pleasure and reward pathway in the brain, which encourages a mental craving for more of the drug while diminishing the body's ability to produce the chemical on its own. During withdrawal, or after a methamphetamine binge, the depression can be crushing as a result, and many try to avoid this by taking benzodiazepines or opiates, an "antidote" that often ends fatally.

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Methamphetamine Addiction Treatment at The Canyon

The Canyon provides a safe place to detox off of methamphetamine with a medical staff on-site to provide support and guidance. When you are ready to begin drug treatment and continue your physical healing after long-term methamphetamine addiction, you will slowly begin to integrate into one-on-one therapy, mixed-gender and single-gender support groups, 12-step treatment, and any one of a number of alternative therapies including equine-assisted therapy, art therapy, yoga and meditation and more. Your meals are chosen based on their ability to replenish the nutrients you are missing due to the anorexia induced by methamphetamine, and the estate grounds are open for you to enjoy the outdoors as you recover and heal.

If you have any questions about methamphetamine treatment or addiction or if you would like to schedule an appointment, contact us via email or telephone toll-free today at .

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