Individuals with methamphetamine addiction compare the high to unlike anything they’ve experienced. Methamphetamine works by flooding the body and brain with dopamine. Dopamine regulates how we feel pleasure. It contributes to our ability to think, plan, focus, and find satisfaction in things around us.

While dopamine is essential for bodily functions, getting a rush at once can harm our central nervous system. Methamphetamine, commonly referred to as meth, is a synthetic stimulant. It is a Schedule II drug because of its highly addictive nature. 

TRUE Addiction and Behavioral Health’s Tennessee Mental Health Treatment Facility for Meth addiction offers a solution to meth abuse. We are a leading rehab program located just outside of Nashville, TN.

Why Meth Addiction Treatment is Important

Meth is produced in illegal labs. Meth can be smoked, snorted, injected, or swallowed. The high from abusing meth is immediate and lasts 6-24 hours. An individual’s health conditions and the amount of dose determine how long a high lasts for each person.  

Most people explain the high as feeling an abundance of energy, no appetite, and an overall sense of peace and relaxation. However, long-term drug use of meth can cause anxiety, paranoia, aggression, and hallucinations. The brain and other organs suffer as well. 

The National Center for Biotechnology Information states that meth is America’s Most Dangerous Drug. The continued focus must be kept on meth use as this drug has caused a public health crisis. The overdose death rate continues to skyrocket. However, with the proper education, resources, and access to treatment, lives can be saved from meth addiction. 

The number of kilograms of meth seized in the U.S. increased by 55% from 2018 to 2019. Mexican cartels have taken over the production and management of the meth market. This has made meth more efficient to manufacture and distribute. 

Meth has transformed into a full-scale, hundreds of millions of dollars operation. With its high interstate and public transportation access, Tennessee is a hotspot for meth transport and drug abuse. Our treatment programs are a refined blend of evidence-based and holistic therapies. If you or a loved one is ready to quit, TRUE will make a recovery your reality.

Why Choose TRUE’s Tennessee Mental Health Treatment Facility for Meth Addiction Treatment?

Many years ago, our founder saw a need for better services and more personalized care within substance abuse and mental health treatment centers. The core natures and creative instincts of people were not being served to their fullest potential. The industry strives to do its best. However, we still found that the elements of treating the whole person in physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being were not being discovered, and the outcomes provided insights into the results. 

After many years of assessing and evaluating services, resources, treatment modalities, and programs, our founder discovered a more in-depth method of treating people struggling. Now in hopes of receiving better outcomes, TRUE  set out to revive the heartbeat of recovery by motivating the communities to be a thriving source providing better resources for recovery.

TRUE has established a program that examines all four elements of the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual in knowing that this leaves the person in a position to strive for success, leaving no room for a possibility for compromise in life, avoiding bringing them back to the state of consciousness in which they have been delivered from.

Our Approach to Meth Addiction Treatment at TRUE’s Tennessee Mental Health Treatment Facility

TRUE utilizes the latest and most effective treatment techniques to help clients overcome meth addiction. Using a combined approach of integrative therapies, psychiatric care, and holistic methods, we aim to treat the underlying causes of addiction and help our clients restore their lives.

Addressing the psychological, neurological, and physical damage from meth addiction is critical to improving overall wellness and health. Our team of trained clinical therapists, counselors, psychiatrists, doctors, and people in long-term recovery work to guide our clients through recovery. We walk with our clients through the entire process, from treatment to aftercare and every step between.

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a psychological treatment effective for various disorders. These include depression and anxiety disorders and substance use issues. It also helps those with marital problems, eating disorders, and mental illness. Evidence-based research shows that CBT significantly improves functioning and quality of life.
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is a psychological service used to treat addiction through inpatient and outpatient treatment options. DBT helps clients who struggle with managing their emotions and relationships and individuals considering self-harm. This treatment is ideal for individuals with emotion regulation, impulse control, and social difficulties. 
• Holistic therapy is an alternative treatment service that focuses on the whole person, not just specific addiction-related symptoms. Our therapists consider our clients’ physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being, allowing them to achieve balance and develop coping skills.
  We use several holistic therapy services, including yoga, massage, fitness, nutrition, and more.
• Non-12-Step is an approach that doesn’t follow a linear path like a traditional 12-step program. Without a non-12-step system, we create a customized plan for aftercare that could include medication assistance and management, detoxification, therapy, dual diagnosis treatment, and more.
• Relapse Prevention is a set of techniques our therapists use to prevent our clients from returning to destructive behaviors and thinking. The therapist assists the client with identifying triggers and exchanging them for positive behaviors. The goal for this component of a treatment plan is long-term recovery by preventing addictive behaviors. 

Our Meth Addiction Treatment Programs at TRUE’s Tennessee Mental Health Treatment Facility

A safe and supportive environment for meth addiction treatment is the best way to begin a recovery journey. Our process addresses the immediate physical effects of drug use, prepares individuals for ongoing treatment, and sets the stage for long-term sobriety.

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

Intensive outpatient programs (IOP) provide a seamless transition from a higher level of care to a less restrictive environment. Individuals can work towards recovery while enjoying a level of freedom and independence.

IOPs are flexible and only require up to 9 hours, usually split into three days a week. The duration and frequency of this program depend upon the individual and their specific treatment plan. IOP works best for individuals who need a more extensive treatment plan than traditional outpatient services but not residential care.

Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)

Partial hospitalization programs (PHP) provide more intensive care. This program best suits patients undergoing a medical detox to achieve initial stability. The treatment afterward requires high commitment and dedication.  

PHP offers individualized treatment plans, including one-on-one, group, and family therapy, medication management, and immersion in support programs like 12-step. This outpatient program provides a structured approach to recovery, usually meeting during the day, Monday through Friday. PHPs provide the tools for long-term sobriety.

Sober Living

Sober living (also referred to as a sober house or sober home) is a general term for any shared housing environment in which each resident is committed to abstaining from the use of alcohol and other drugs.

Sober living is a stabilization technique for many of our clients. This allows them to get life back in a comfortable and structured manner.

Effectively a recovering individual’s most logical “next step” following release from an inpatient program, sober living might be a dwelling cohabited by friends or acquaintances in recovery or be part of a highly-structured program overseen by a hospital or treatment facility – or anything in between.

We offer various sober living formats:

• Peer-Run
• Monitored
• Supervised
• Integrated Therapies

Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of Meth Addiction

A big question about treatment is considering the signs and symptoms of addiction. Are these part of your or a loved one’s life? Identifying areas of concern is crucial to your recovery.

Side effects of using meth short-term can include:

• Being more active than usual, getting little or no sleep daily
• Eating less, not feeling hungry
• Faster breathing, getting out of breath easier
• Heightened or irregular heart rate
• Increased body temperature and blood pressure 

If you continue to use meth, it can spiral quickly. It is known for the euphoric feeling it creates upon first use. In whichever method it’s taken, from smoking, shooting, or sniffing, addiction doesn’t improve. 

You can fall fast into a substance or stimulant use disorder because it changes the brain. The time to reach out is now. There’s no winning from waiting. Some of the effects are physical and may affect your mental health. These only grow worse the longer you use meth. We will teach you how to cope without needing a substance.

Symptoms of continued meth use include:

• Taking more significant amounts of meth or taking meth for a more extended period than intended
• Trying to cut back or stop and not being able to quit. attempts to cut back or discontinue the drug, even with a desire to quit
• Cravings for meth 
• Continuing to use meth even when it causes mental and physical health issues
• Extreme weight loss
• Getting involved in risky situations and being around dangerous people
• Developing a need for more of the drug to feel the same effects over time (tolerance) 
• Using meth despite it causing relationship problems (personal and professional)
• Experiencing withdrawal if you’re not using meth as regularly

Physical and mental effects of using meth include:

• Extreme weight loss
• Meth mouth, in the form of dental problems and jaw pain
• Itching, skin sores from constant scratching
• Extreme anxiety that turns into paranoia
• Increased mental health problems 
• Change in brain structure/function
• Memory loss
• Sleeping problems, insomnia
• Violent behavior
• Addiction

Long-term effects of meth dependence:

• Psychosis
• Arrests
• Heart attack
• Seizures
• Death 
• Liver damage
• Lung damage
• Brain damage
• Sexually transmitted diseases 
• Kidney disease

How do I know if I have a Meth Addiction?

If you are someone you know who might have a meth addiction, it is essential to seek support from a medical professional. They can provide an array of assessments to determine the level of addiction and a course of action for treatment.  

Below are some warning signs of meth addiction.

• Consistent drug use – individuals find it challenging to stop using meth even with the desire to quit.
• Cravings – cravings for meth can lead to negative consequences to obtaining it.
• Tolerance – the more an individual uses meth, the higher the tolerance indicates dependency.
• Withdrawal symptoms – fatigue, depression, anxiety, irritability, increased appetite, and cravings occur without the drug.
• Daily activities – when meth abuse interferes with work, school, and personal responsibilities; if neglect of personal hygiene also becomes a problem, the individual should be aware of meth addiction.
• Social isolation – not wanting to go places and hang out with friends and family could indicate meth dependence.
• Physical and psychological health issues – weight loss, dental issues, skin infections, disruptive sleep patterns, mood swings, and aggression are signs of meth addiction.

What are the different types of Methamphetamines?

Meth is typically available in two forms. They are illicit meth and pharmaceutical meth. Even though pharmaceutical meth is prescribed for legal, medical reasons, it still is an addictive drug. Both forms adversely affect the central nervous system, brain, and organs when abused. 

Illicit Methamphetamine

Crystal meth, also known as “crystal” or “ice,” is the most potent and pure form of meth. It typically looks like clear or bluish crystals. The crystals resemble ice or chunks of glass, hence the names. Crystal meth is smoked, snorted, injected, or taken orally.

Powdered meth is a white or off-white powder. It is commonly snorted or dissolved in liquid and injected intravenously.

Pharmaceutical Methamphetamine

Desoxyn is the brand name for methamphetamine hydrochloride. It is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Some medical professionals prescribe it for obesity. It is available in tablet form and is intended for oral use under medical supervision.

Meth Withdrawal Symptoms

Meth withdrawal symptoms can vary depending on each individual. A person’s duration and dose on each occasion play significant roles. 

Below are some common withdrawal symptoms:

• Fatigue presents as extreme tiredness and a lack of energy to do daily tasks.
• Depression symptoms such as sadness, low mood, and loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities indicate withdrawal.
• Individuals already suffering from anxiety can feel a heightened sense of the disorder.
• When abusing the drug, individuals experience a lack of appetite, but withdrawal increases the need to eat even when one isn’t hungry.
• Sleep patterns become disrupted and result in either sleeping at irregular hours or trouble falling asleep at all.
• When individuals do sleep, they can experience nightmares or vivid dreams.
• Unable to control fidgeting or being able to calm down can occur.
• Cravings for the drug can fluctuate in intensity. 
• Suicidal ideation is inflicting self-harm or considering ways to end one’s life.

Get the Help You Need Now at TRUE’s Tennessee Mental Health Treatment Facility

Recovery can provide a quality of life you never imagined. Individuals can learn to feel comfortable in social settings without experiencing the need to abuse meth. If meth is impacting your daily life, support is available. Take the first step by calling or emailing us today.