People who abuse meth are typically unable to stop on their own. The reason is that this addiction impairs their decision-making abilities. As a result, it’s up to friends and family members to spot the signs of meth addiction. However, what are these signs? Can Houston addiction treatment programs help?
What Is Meth? Where Did It Come From?
Meth is the short name that most people use to refer to the drug methamphetamine. This strong and highly addictive substance acts on the central nervous system. One of the most common types of meth is crystal meth. However, the crystal or rock form has no legal purpose.
Meth is a human-made stimulant that has been around for many years. During World War II, for instance, the government gave the drug to soldiers to help them stay awake. Over the years, people have taken the drug or received it as a prescription for a number of reasons. The most common of these were to ease depression and lose weight.
Is there any use for meth today? Unlike crystal meth, there are a few legal ways that people use meth. The most common ones are to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and obesity. However, these cases are very rare and only involve a prescription.
Signs of Meth Addiction
While it’s rare to get meth in a prescription drug, the drug is a relatively common recreational substance. In these cases, how can people spot the signs of meth addiction in users? Some of the common signs include:
- Obsessively picking at their skin or hair
- Jerky or erratic movements
- Rapid eye movement or dilated pupils
- Not caring about their hygiene or appearance
- Strange or odd sleeping patterns
- Violent mood swings
Also, people who abuse meth sometimes exhibit psychotic behaviors. For example, they could have bouts of paranoia or vivid hallucinations. When these signs are evident, it’s important for family and friends to get loved ones professional help right away.
What to Do for People Who Exhibit Signs of Using Meth
Overcoming meth doesn’t happen overnight. In fact, people have to start with a meth detox center. This service safely deals with the withdrawal symptoms that manifest when they stop using.
When they complete detox, they have to move on to meth rehab. Those who don’t are more likely to relapse than those who do. The reason is that rehab helps them address the source of their problems.
Getting Help for Meth Addiction in Houston
Are you looking for meth or drug and alcohol detox programs Houston has to offer? If so, consider getting help at Serenity Light Recovery. We can teach you more about the signs of meth addiction and what it takes to overcome the disease. A few of the programs that we offer include:
Don’t wait to get meth abuse treatment for yourself or a loved one. Learn more about the signs of meth addiction. Reach out to our friendly staff today at (281) 431-6700 for more information. Get treatment for the ones that you loved before it’s too late.
As our CEO, Heather’s main calling is to stay true to the vision of the organization, which is saving lives and striving to redefine statistics by raising the standard of care with evolving treatment methods. Heather studied psychology at LSU and both the main and Clear Lake campuses of the University of Houston, and she is a certified IASIS provider and CPI instructor. She’s been helping people in recovery since 2011. Heather’s motto to live by is “I am not what I’ve done; I am what I’ve overcome.”
