Treatment for Meth Addiction in Port Matilda, PA

St. Joseph Institute near State College, Pennsylvania, welcomes clients who are struggling with mental health and substance use disorder issues. Our clients have worked with us to overcome all forms of substance addiction, including alcohol, cocaine, prescription opioids, and many other drugs, including methamphetamine.

Methamphetamine (meth) is a stimulant drug that is highly addictive and can have devastating effects on health and well-being. It creates a sensation of being high, accompanied by intense bursts of energy and anxiety. Meth is dangerous for both its short- and long-term risks.

If you or a loved one is using meth, seek help right away. Our compassionate team can help you find your way back to sobriety and health. We offer a variety of treatment options, including residential, outpatient, and dual diagnosis treatment for those whose substance addiction is accompanied by a mental health disorder.

What is Methamphetamine?

Methamphetamine, commonly known as meth, crystal, or ice, is a synthetic drug that stimulates the central nervous system, increasing dopamine levels in the brain. Originally developed for medical purposes such as treating obesity and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), methamphetamine is now primarily produced and consumed illicitly.

Methamphetamine can look like a white powder or a clear crystal shape. Most methamphetamine is made in labs, but some people try to make it in their homes by combining chemicals with certain types of cold medicines.

How is Meth Used, and What are its Effects?

People can smoke, snort, or inject methamphetamine. The crystal version of meth is smoked in a glass pipe. Methamphetamine produces a powerful and long-lasting euphoric high that lasts from 8-24 hours, which leads many individuals to initially experiment with the drug. During the long-lasting high, the person using meth can become hyperactive, argumentative, or aggressive, often behaving or speaking in chaotic ways that don’t make sense.

Sometimes people binge meth, using the drug repeatedly for days at a time to stay high. A meth binge can result in insomnia that lasts for days, followed by a crash of extreme exhaustion and long periods of sleep. Tweaking describes the behavior of a person who has missed multiple consecutive days of sleep while on a meth binge and is characterized by mental instability, paranoia, and psychosis.

The most common effects of methamphetamine can include:

Increased Energy: Methamphetamine stimulates the release of dopamine, leading to heightened energy levels and a sense of euphoria.
Enhanced Focus and Alertness: Users may experience increased focus, concentration, and alertness, making them feel more productive and capable of completing tasks.
Suppressed Appetite: Methamphetamine can suppress appetite, leading to weight loss and malnutrition, especially in chronic users.
Increased Heart Rate and Blood Pressure: Methamphetamine stimulates the cardiovascular system, leading to elevated heart rate and blood pressure, which can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Agitation and Paranoia: Long-term use of methamphetamine can lead to psychological symptoms such as agitation, paranoia, and hallucinations.

Meth Addiction Risk Factors

Several factors can increase the risk of methamphetamine addiction, including:

Age of initiation: Early initiation of methamphetamine use, particularly during adolescence, increases the risk of addiction.
Frequency and duration of use: Chronic and frequent methamphetamine use significantly increases the likelihood of developing addiction.
Co-occurring mental health disorders: Individuals with underlying mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder are at higher risk of developing methamphetamine addiction.
Genetics: Family history of addiction or genetic factors can increase susceptibility to methamphetamine addiction.

Treatment for Meth Addiction

Treating methamphetamine addiction is often challenging due to the drug’s powerful effects on the brain and body. However, at St. Joseph Institute we use several evidence-based approaches to help our clients break free from the hold meth has on their minds and bodies:

Detoxification: The first step in methamphetamine addiction treatment is often detoxification, during which clients undergo withdrawal under medical supervision. This process helps manage withdrawal symptoms and ensure the safety of the individual.
Behavioral Therapy: Behavioral therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and contingency management have been shown to be effective in treating methamphetamine addiction. These therapies help individuals identify and change maladaptive thought patterns and behaviors associated with drug use.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): While there are currently no FDA-approved medications specifically for treating methamphetamine addiction, some medications may be used off-label to address certain symptoms or co-occurring mental health conditions. For example, if we determine that a client is dealing with a mental health disorder, like depression or anxiety, in addition to the substance use disorder, we may recommend medications like antidepressants to help the person stabilize and have a better foundation for the mental work of recovery.
Support Groups: Clients will find peer support among the other residents of our campus and visiting alumni. In addition, we recommend participating in meth-specific support groups after treatment ends, such as Crystal Meth Anonymous (CMA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA).
Holistic Approaches: Holistic approaches such as mindfulness-based therapies and yoga complement traditional addiction treatment methods by promoting overall well-being and stress management.

If you or a loved one has an addiction to meth, effective treatment in a safe environment is critical. Without proper treatment that encompasses the whole person, meth addiction often leads to serious health consequences or death.

Help for Meth Addiction at St. Joseph Institute

Your treatment at St. Joseph Institute will begin with a comprehensive medical and psychological assessment that will help our team determine the best treatment path for your individual needs. After supervised detox, you will likely be recommended for residential treatment that includes individual, group, and family therapy, holistic programming, relapse prevention training, psychoeducation, and continuing care services.

Many people need months of therapy to recover from meth addiction, and the earlier the intervention, the better the chance of a sustained recovery. If your son or daughter, spouse, or other family member is struggling with meth use, even if dependence has not formed, immediate treatment can be helpful. Express your concern and offer to help your loved one find the support they need. St. Joseph Institute is ready to help you and your loved one move forward.