Methamphetamine Addiction - Counselling and Treatment
Methamphetamine addiction involves chronic use of an amphetamine also known as tik. Crystal methamphetamine is sold in white crystals or powder form. It is a highly addictive drug which creates feelings of intense euphoria for the user, accompanied by increased alertness, increased energy, loss of appetite, aggression and increased sensory perception.
Methamphetamine can be snorted, smoked in a glass object, usually a hollowed-out light bulb or a glass pipe known as a 'lolly', injected or ingested. Smoking is popular as it is quickly absorbed through the lungs and has an almost immediate effect. Injection into the bloodstream has the greatest effect but can cause severe infections and lesions.
Methamphetamine addiction generally leads to stages of psychosis because of the severe effect the drug has on the brain. Psychosis is also caused by staying awake for extended periods of time whilst using the drug. It is normal for users to be awake continuously for a week or even longer. When lacking in sleep, addicts report experiencing vivid and extremely realistic visual and auditory hallucinations.
Many users find themselves focusing on a particular activity or obsession involving repetition and detail such as drawing. This is also the cause for many addicts to begin scratching at their skin causing hideous sores. Paranoid delusions are common. Users believe that police or other authority figures are on their way to arrest them and other far-fetched conspiracy theories which seem insane to the normal mind but are sincerely believed by those high on tik. Oral thrush is also a side effect of smoking the drug as well as severe malnutrition due to continuous loss of appetite.
Due to the need for sleep and recuperation, many trapped in methamphetamine addiction will take 'downers' such as prescription pill addiction in order to 'come down' off their high. Once withdrawal sets in, addicts sleep for days, eat vast quantities of food and settle into a very heavy depression. The 'come down' from tik can be extremely disturbing due to the severity of the depression.
Drug addiction treatment at a professional rehab such as Oasis Counselling Centre for drug addiction is usually required to help addicts to become abstinent. The drug is so addictive that it can be incredibly difficult to stop. Addicts can find abstinence however with drug addiction counselling and applying a 12 Step recovery programme to their lives along with a healthy way of living.
Find out more about other addictions, meet our qualified addiction counsellors and contact us Oasis Counselling Centre in Plettenberg Bay for more information.
