Methamphetamine, commonly known as “meth,” is among the most deadly drugs in America. Meth use can lead to negative long-term health consequences—both physical and mental. However, there is hope for recovery with our meth addiction treatment in Atlanta, GA.
North Atlanta Behavioral Health is dedicated to helping clients overcome meth and other addictions while also treating the underlying causes of addiction. That way, our clients leave treatment with the skills they need to thrive in recovery from addiction.
If you or a loved one are struggling with meth addiction, give us a call now at (770) 230-5699 or verify your insurance now.
What is Meth?
“Meth” is short for “methamphetamine”—a highly addictive stimulant drug that produces a feeling of euphoria in users. Methamphetamine is often manufactured and sold illegally. However, meth was originally developed to treat medical conditions.
According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), “Methamphetamine was developed early in the 20th century from its parent drug, amphetamine, and was used originally in nasal decongestants and bronchial inhalers.” However, meth users abuse the substance for its unintended side effects. These effects include euphoria, pleasurable feelings, increased alertness and activity, and a suppressed appetite.
Under the Controlled Substances Act, methamphetamine is a Schedule II stimulant drug. This means that meth has a high potential for abuse due to its potent side effects. Currently, Desoxyn is the only legal meth product available. As a Schedule II controlled substance, Desoxyn can only be obtained by prescription without refills.
Whether a person takes methamphetamine legally or illegally, the drug is highly addictive and can be deadly. Meth addiction treatment programs can help those struggling with meth abuse.
How Does Our Meth Addiction Treatment Program in Atlanta Work?
At North Atlanta Behavioral Health, we know that everyone has different needs when they seek treatment for meth addiction. As such, we provide a variety of outpatient rehab programs at varying levels of care to meet our clients where they are in recovery. In addition, we offer several addiction treatment services so that our clients can create an individualized treatment plan that works best for them.
During meth addiction treatment in Atlanta, clients usually begin with drug detox. This is a crucial part of the recovery process and is the first step to overcoming addiction. Drug detox entails medical and psychological monitoring of withdrawal symptoms after a person stops using meth.
After detox, clients begin to tackle the underlying causes of their meth addiction. Oftentimes, clients have a co-occurring mental health disorder driving their addiction. Other times, long-term meth abuse alters the way a person’s brain functions, leading to them developing a mental health disorder.
The following are some of the most common therapies to help treat the underlying causes of meth addiction:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Life skills development
- Holistic treatment
- Family therapy
- Group therapy
In addition, North Atlanta Behavioral Health offers innovative therapies, like brainspotting and red light therapy, during our treatment programs.
Signs and Symptoms of Meth Addiction
Symptoms of addiction can vary from person to person. Some factors that account for these differences include how much meth a person uses, how long they’ve been addicted, and the presence of a co-occurring mental health disorder (also called a dual diagnosis).
Common signs and symptoms of meth addiction include the following:
- Unexplained or sudden weight loss
- Severe dental issues or “meth mouth”
- Erratic behavior
- Excessive scratching that leads to sores on the skin
- Obsessive thoughts and actions
- Paranoia and hallucinations
- Elevated heart rate and body temperature
- Rapid breathing
- Difficulty sleeping
- Hyperactivity and restlessness
Stimulant drugs, like meth and cocaine, cause users to feel hyperaware and alert for short periods of time. This is because stimulant drugs flood the brain with “feel good” chemicals. After feeling high, the person “crashes” when these chemicals are depleted. Meth users feel depressed and withdrawn as a result of this “crash.”
To avoid the unpleasant aftereffects of meth abuse, many users take more meth or supplement with other drugs. This leads to a cycle of addiction, as the person’s tolerance to the effects of meth increases. In other words, they need more meth or stronger doses to get the same effects.
How Does Meth Affect Georgia?
Methamphetamine affects people throughout the state of Georgia. While meth is dangerous on its own, mixing meth with other drugs can be deadly. Most overdose deaths involve a combination of drugs.
The following statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlight the dangers of meth use in Georgia from the year 2022:
- There were 2,555 total overdose deaths in Georgia (all drugs)
- 59.9% of drug overdose deaths involved a stimulant drug (e.g., meth, cocaine, Adderall, etc.)
- Methamphetamine was involved in 951 overdose deaths
- Illegally-made fentanyl combined with meth resulted in 411 overdose deaths
Our comprehensive meth addiction treatment in Atlanta is here to combat the unnecessary deaths and negative consequences of meth abuse.
What to Expect During Meth Addiction Treatment in Atlanta
Our meth addiction treatment includes outpatient programs at differing levels of care. These programs ensure that each client gets the care they need. Clients can also advance to lower levels of care under the same provider with North Atlanta Behavioral Health.
We offer the following outpatient programs in Atlanta:
- Outpatient Detox: Our outpatient detox program allows clients to detox within the comfort of their own homes. They need to check in daily for medical and psychological monitoring at our treatment center.
- Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP): PHP, also called “day treatment,” is our highest level of outpatient care. During PHP programs, clients spend most of their day in treatment and return home in the evening.
- Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): An IOP program offers a similar program to PHP, however, the schedule is more flexible. This allows clients to continue outpatient treatment while also attending school, working, or caring for family.
- Evening IOP: Our evening IOP program occurs from Monday through Thursday from 6 pm to 9 pm to accommodate clients with significant restrictions in their daily schedules.
During outpatient meth addiction treatment in Atlanta, clients can either live at home or in a sober living program. This allows clients to get the treatment they need without the restrictions of inpatient or residential treatment.
How Long Does Meth Addiction Treatment in Atlanta Last?
Our addiction treatment programs generally last anywhere from 30 to 90 days. The length of treatment depends on each person’s needs and where they are in their recovery. Following treatment with us, clients can continue with outpatient therapy once or twice a week.
Many clients also find peer support programs, such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA) or SMART Recovery, helpful to achieve long-term recovery from meth addiction. These programs are available for free in nearly every community in Georgia. Online support groups, as well as smartphone recovery apps, can keep clients engaged in recovery after treatment.
By NABH Staff
Medically Reviewed by
Erika Dalton, LMSW.
Last Updated on March 18, 2024
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