How to Know if You Need Treatment for Your Methamphetamine Use
If you're reading this page right now, it's likely you'd benefit from treatment for methamphetamine misuse. When you or a loved one starts researching a topic regarding well-being, it’s normally at a point of concern.
There's no set of criteria that makes one person more worthy or eligible for addiction recovery than another. You do not have to hit “rock bottom” before you can come in. You don't have to overdose before you're worthy of care and support.
If you don't believe us, here are some questions you can ask yourself:
- Have you tried to stop taking meth before but were unable to?
- Have you had to increase your dosage to get the same effects?
- Have you noticed an increase in feelings of anxiety or depression?
- Have you experienced hallucinations in the past 6 months?
- Have you experienced an increase in paranoid feelings?
- Have you experienced negative health reactions to meth such as heart palpitations or stroke?
- Has your meth use negatively impacted your finances or relationships?
These questions can serve as a way to reflect on how deeply meth is impacting your life. If you answered yes to any of the above, treatment can turn those yes's into no's.
What Defines Meth Addiction?
Trying meth one time does not mean a person has a meth use disorder, just like having one drink doesn't make someone develop alcoholism.
A meth use disorder stems from repeated use. It comes with side effects that occur whenever meth is not being consumed. It also comes with long-term side effects from meth use, like meth mites, increased paranoia, weight loss, and more.
Meth use becomes a meth use disorder the longer it goes on and the more thoroughly it begins to take over your life, whether you see it or not.
The Common Factors That Influence Methamphetamine Addiction
No level of substance use is inherently safe. This being said, we understand that someone who tried meth once likely doesn't need an extensive stay in a detox program or residential. What should always be kept in mind in these situations is one important question, “Why?”
Why is someone seeking out meth in the first place?
Many people are good at hiding their pain, of varying degrees. These can be part of the factors that can influence a meth use disorder. Things like untreated mental health concerns, trauma, financial trouble, death in the family, and high stress are all common factors that can contribute to the development of an MUD. Other factors, like family history with substance use and environment, can also play huge roles.
At the end of the day, there isn't an exact formula that ever guarantees someone to develop a substance use disorder. Being aware of the risk factors, however, can help people be more aware and make informed decisions about their health.
