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Treatment of Methamphetamine and Cocaine Abuse and Dependency
When most people think of drug addiction, they often think of heroin, opiate, or alcohol abuse. Yet, a look at admission rates in California for fiscal year 2006-2007 revealed that half of all admissions were for stimulants. Methamphetamine comprised 39.2% of all admissions, with cocaine accounting for 10.6% of admissions. The other primary drugs for treatment admission were alcohol (17.8%), marijuana (16.9%), and heroin (11.9%). At Tarzana Treatment Centers, we saw meth admissions peak in 2004 and 2005 at 45 percent of all admissions and decline in 2006 and 2007 to 35 percent of admissions. When cocaine admissions are added to the total, stimulants still represent over half of all admissions.
No one ever thinks they will become addicted to meth or cocaine/crack when they start using. Like most drugs, the initial effect is quite positive. The person may have more energy, feel more confident, had an increased sex drive, and be able to complete tasks at home and work and even have time to party. For women in particular, both meth and cocaine/crack are popular because they decrease one's appetite and lead to weight loss.
All of these positive effects of methamphetamine don't last for long. Soon the person becomes more depressed, more isolative, and more paranoid. They may experience different types of hallucinations, ranging from hearing voices, seeing things that aren't there, or feeling that bugs are crawling on them. Other psychological effects include confusion, concentration difficulties, memory loss, irritability, panic reactions, and anger. Sleep problems or insomnia may make these symptoms worse.
Methamphetamine use is often associated with violence. This usually occurs at the end of a binge, when the meth user is starting the "crash" and feeling sad, empty, frustrated, and irritable. Paranoia and hallucinations may be present. In many cities in the Western United States, 30 to 40 percent of male arrestees tested positive for methamphetamine in 2003.
The long-term physical effects of methamphetamine are detrimental. Meth destroys tissues and blood vessels, inhibiting the body's ability to repair itself. Common signs of meth use include acne, sores taking longer to heal, poor diet, poor oral health, and teeth grinding. Skin loses its luster and elasticity, making users appears years, even decades, older. Meth mouth refers to severe tooth decay characterized by broken, discolored, and rotting teeth seen in some long-term meth users. Speed bumps refer to the sores on arms and other parts of the body that develop due to skin irritation from meth use and the meth user picking at them.
Methamphetamine withdrawal is an uncomfortable state. While meth users usually don't need medication to help them withdraw, they are often experiencing symptoms of depression, fatigue, agitation, confusion, lack of energy, paranoia, anxiety, and cognitive impairment. These acute withdrawal symptoms can last from two days to two weeks.
Methamphetamine users have cognitive deficits, particularly after they stop using. Actively using meth addicts have difficulty learning and recalling information. The ability to recall and recognize information may be more impaired 12 weeks after stopping use than at the time the person was an active user. Six months after stopping use, verbal memory (e.g., remembering what people say) remains impaired in some people, while visual memory (e.g., remembering what you see) usually returns to normal. It can take up to two years for cognitive functions to return to normal.
The good news is that treatment for methamphetamine addiction is as effective as for other drugs. It is a myth that treatment for methamphetamine is not effective. A recent evaluation of individuals referred by the court to treatment showed no difference in any of the outcome measures when compared to users of other drugs of abuse. This included treatment completion rates, urinalysis data, and retention in treatment rates.
Tarzana Treatment Centers offers specialized treatment programs to address the various aspects of methamphetamine and cocaine abuse and recovery. Please call us at 800-996-1051 or contact us by email here.
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