How Hard Is It To Quit Meth?
Methamphetamine, commonly known as meth, is a highly addictive and destructive drug that can negatively impact every aspect of an individual’s life. Quitting methamphetamine requires tremendous strength and can feel like hiking an uphill battle, but it’s worth it. Knowing how to break free from the clutches of methamphetamine and what to expect can help individuals overcome addiction and live a sober, brighter, and purposeful life.
Methamphetamine: Then & Now
Methamphetamine is a potent central nervous system stimulant drug commonly referred to as “meth,” “crystal,” “crystal meth,” or “ice.” It is a synthetic substance, which means it is artificially produced rather than derived from natural sources.
Even though methamphetamine was initially used for medicinal purposes, such as treating nasal congestion and asthma, its potential for abuse quickly became evident. Today, methamphetamine is primarily produced illicitly in secret laboratories, using a combination of readily available chemicals and household ingredients.
How Hard Is It To Quit Methamphetamine?
Quitting methamphetamine isn’t easy. Although exact statistics regarding quitting the substance vary, high relapse rates, prolonged withdrawal symptoms, methamphetamine’s impact on the brain, and social and environmental factors make meth a challenging substance to quit.
- High Relapse Rates. Methamphetamine addiction is known for its high relapse rates. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), relapse rates for methamphetamine addiction are estimated to be between 40% and 60%. This means that many individuals who attempt to quit meth will experience relapses before achieving long-term recovery.
- Prolonged Withdrawal Symptoms. Methamphetamine withdrawal symptoms can be intense and lengthy. Physical symptoms, such as fatigue, increased appetite, and insomnia, can last for several weeks. Psychological symptoms, including depression, anxiety, and intense drug cravings, may persist for months or even years. Experiencing these symptoms for a prolonged time can make quitting meth particularly difficult.
- Neurological Impact. Methamphetamine causes structural and functional changes in the brain. Studies using brain imaging techniques have shown that these alterations persist even after individuals stop using meth. Often, the brain has changed so much that people trying to quit methamphetamine may find it hard to experience pleasure from non-drug-related activities, which can make quitting even more challenging.
- Impact on Mental Health. Methamphetamine use often co-occurs with mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and psychosis. These underlying mental health conditions can complicate quitting meth and increase the likelihood of relapse. Treating both addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders is crucial for successful recovery.
- Social and Environmental Factors. The environment in which individuals live and their social support systems significantly impact their ability to quit meth. A lack of stable housing, access to resources, and supportive relationships can make it more challenging to maintain sobriety. On the other hand, having a strong support network and a positive social environment can greatly increase the chances of successful recovery.
It is important to remember that even though quitting meth is undoubtedly difficult, it is not impossible. Many individuals have successfully overcome methamphetamine addiction with professional help, support, and personal determination.
Why Is Methamphetamine So Hard To Quit?
Quitting methamphetamine can be exceptionally challenging. Here are some reasons why:
- Strong Physical and Psychological Dependence. Over time, the brain relies on meth to function, making it difficult for individuals to experience pleasure or regulate their emotions without the drug.
- Intense Withdrawal Symptoms. The discomfort and distress caused by these symptoms can be overwhelming and make it challenging to maintain abstinence.
- Psychological Cravings and Triggers. The association between the drug and pleasurable experiences can trigger intense cravings, making it incredibly challenging to resist the urge to use again.
- Underlying Emotional and Mental Health Issues. Meth use often becomes a coping mechanism for dealing with underlying problems such as depression and anxiety.
- Lack of Social Support. Without a support system, individuals may struggle to find the encouragement, understanding, and accountability necessary for successful recovery.
- High Relapse Rates. The drug’s powerful hold, the challenging withdrawal process, and persistent cravings can make it difficult to maintain motivation and stay on the path to recovery.
Overcoming methamphetamine addiction requires a comprehensive approach that involves professional help, support networks, therapy, and a strong commitment to change. That’s what we provide here at Midwest Recovery Centers.
6 Steps To Overcoming Methamphetamine Addiction
The treatment process for overcoming a methamphetamine addiction typically involves a combination of medical interventions, therapy, counseling, support groups, and ongoing support. The steps generally include:
- Assessment and Detoxification. The first step in overcoming a meth addiction is usually a thorough assessment by healthcare professionals. This helps determine the severity of addiction, identify co-occurring mental health disorders, and develop an individualized treatment plan. Medical detoxification may sometimes be necessary to manage withdrawal symptoms safely. Detoxification helps rid the body of methamphetamine while addressing any medical complications that may arise during withdrawal.
- Inpatient or Outpatient Rehabilitation. Following detoxification, individuals may enter an inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation program. Inpatient rehabilitation involves residing at a treatment facility for a specified period. Outpatient rehabilitation allows individuals to receive treatment while living at home. Both options provide structured therapy, counseling, and support to address addiction’s physical, psychological, and social aspects.
- Behavioral Therapies. Several evidence-based behavioral therapies are effective in treating methamphetamine addiction. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps individuals identify and modify negative thought patterns and behaviors associated with drug use. Contingency Management (CM) uses positive reinforcement, such as rewards, to encourage drug-free behavior. Motivational Interviewing (MI) helps individuals strengthen their motivation and commitment to change. These therapies help develop coping skills, enhance self-awareness, and prevent relapse.
- Supportive Counseling and Therapy. Individual counseling sessions provide a safe space for individuals to explore underlying issues contributing to addiction, set goals, and develop personalized strategies for recovery. Group therapy offers peer support, sharing experiences, and learning from others facing similar challenges. Family therapy may also be included to address family dynamics and provide support to loved ones.
- Support Groups. Participating in support groups, such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA) or Crystal Meth Anonymous (CMA), can be instrumental in long-term recovery. These groups provide a supportive community of individuals who understand the challenges of addiction and can offer guidance, encouragement, and accountability.
- Aftercare and Ongoing Support. Recovery from meth addiction is a lifelong journey. After completing a formal treatment program, individuals benefit from ongoing support and aftercare services. This may include continuing therapy or counseling, attending support group meetings, participating in relapse prevention programs, and accessing community resources. Developing a strong support network of sober friends, engaging in healthy activities, and practicing self-care are also essential for maintaining sobriety.
Let Us Help You Reclaim Your Life
Quitting meth is an immensely challenging undertaking that requires unwavering determination and support. It demands confronting deep-rooted issues, enduring painful withdrawal symptoms, and resisting the allure of relapse. However, with the right support system, professional help, and a commitment to change, it is possible to break free from addiction and embark on a recovery journey. Every step toward recovery is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the resilience of those who choose to fight for a better life.
Reviewed and Assessed by
Taylor Brown, B.A.Com., CADC
Tim Coleman, M. of Ed.
Start Your Recovery Now!
Have A Midwest Recovery Centers' Team Member Call You Today.
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Staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Medical
Midwest Recovery Centers believes strongly in a client-centered approach. Substance Use Disorder is not what it was 5 or even 2 years ago. The substances on the street are constantly changing and so are the number of contraindications and fatal threats that substance use imposes on the person suffering. Our Medical team continues to stay up to speed with new advances of evidence-based approaches in treating those with both substance use disorder as well as their co-occurring mental health diagnosis. There are many varying pieces to each client’s situation when it comes to tackling the puzzle of a medical detox, and each step in the treatment planning is carefully selected, reviewed, and communicated for the best possible outcome of each client. We understand that consideration of the medical history, family history, past trauma, past and current substance use are all key indicators to most effectively give each client the best chance at developing a recovery process. Each client may present with a different scope of medical needs whether it’s their blood work or the most effective medications for them. Midwest Recovery Centers is proud to have the finest medical team to meet these individual and specific needs of each client that walks through our doors.
Clinical
When it comes to the therapeutic treatment of patients with substance use disorder, Midwest Recovery Centers believes in a client-centered approach guided by evidence-based practices. Substance use disorder has been identified by the American Medical Association as a disease, but because addiction is a disease that impacts behavior, treatment of this disease is often heavily focused on modifying behaviors and thoughts as well as establishing a new way of life. We place a strong emphasis on educating patients about this chronic illness and empowering them to practice treating it as such. Our clinical team is composed of leading experts in the field. We believe in having a staff as diverse as the clients we serve; from Licensed Professional Counselors to Licensed Clinical Social Workers, our staff is highly trained and educated in not only addiction but the mental health issues and life circumstances that often accompany it. Many of our clinicians have their own personal experience in long term recovery which lends them to an even better understanding of what our patients are experiencing. Our staff is highly skilled in choosing the most effective therapeutic modality for each client’s needs, to give them the best chance of securing the recovery process that will change their lives. Our clinical team understands that this is a family disease. This is why clinicians will offer weekly updates to families as well as concrete tools for families to utilize as they journey through this illness with their loved one. Those tools will be offered by the patient’s individual clinician as well as at our free Family Night on the first Wednesday of each month, offered to anyone in the community.
Our Origin Story
I began Midwest Recovery in honor of my mother, Betty Lou Wallace, who taught me responsibility in life and sobriety.
Mom was born, raised, and lived most of her life in Missouri, a state I'm still proud to call home. She had five children. The youngest were my older brother Don and me.
We knew that the disease of addiction ran in the family, but it wasn't until Don and I grew older that we realized we were falling into addictive patterns. Through it all, Mom was supportive of her children but firm about one principle: whether the disease was inherited or developed through your environment, you were responsible for your recovery from addiction.
"I will be supportive of your recovery but I will not enable your addiction," she was fond of saying.
Ultimately, I stayed sober from 1990 to 1997, when I relapsed. With Mom's support, I was able to get sober again in 2002. Tragically, Don was not so lucky. He passed away in 2005 from complications of an injury and continued addiction.
Mom wanted no parent to suffer from the sorrow and anguish of losing a child, so in 2002, she helped me establish my first treatment center business.
As Mom grew older, she shared with me some lessons she had learned through her affiliation with Al-Anon, a support group for family members of loved ones struggling with addiction. She asked me to stay clean and sober one day at a time and to use the lessons I learned in my own recovery to help others who were suffering.
In 2008, Mom passed away from throat cancer, one day after my six year sober anniversary. I still remember that one of the last times we spoke, she told me she was proud of my recovery.
Mom would be so happy to know that myself, our partners, and our team are carrying on her legacy in her home state. I don't know if my own recovery process would be intact without her and the lessons she shared. So much of what we share with our clients at Midwest began with Betty Lou.
Above all, Mom imparted several teachings that I carry with me every day: that people are inherently good, and if they fall into addiction, this makes them sick, not bad. She taught me to be patient, tolerant, loving, and kind to myself and to others.
Most of all, she taught me that recovery works if we are able to be honest with ourselves about our own behavior. That’s what she helped me accomplish and that’s what we strive to accomplish with every Midwest client.
On behalf of Betty Lou, I thank you for your interest in Midwest Recovery.
Jeff Howard
Start Your Recovery Now!
Have A Midwest Recovery Centers' Team Member Call You Today.
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