Methamphetamine, or meth, is a dangerous, highly addictive substance. It works as a central nervous system stimulant, meaning it causes your brain to work overtime, often creating a significant risk of overdose. Meth can also cause numerous types of harm to your health, including psychosis, cardiovascular disease, and kidney failure.
If your loved one is using meth, we can help. At Iron Bridge Recovery Center, we provide meth detox and residential treatment that can be lifesaving. Contact us for immediate guidance. We will help you to get your loved one into treatment.
How Is Meth Abused?
Meth is a synthetic stimulant that carries a very high risk of addiction. A person using it will feel euphoria, an intense high that can also lead to a sense of well-being. It increases alertness and can spike energy. However, it can also cause paranoia and intense anxiety, creating risk for irregular heartbeats, strokes, and death. Long-term use can lead to substance use disorder (SUD).
Data from the National Institute of Drug Abuse shows that two out of three people over the age of 26 who reported using the drug in the last year met the criteria for an SUD. When that is your loved one, knowing what to do can be challenging.
Signs Your Loved One Needs Meth Addiction Treatment
Every person’s symptoms differ, but those who experience any of the following signs of meth addiction may benefit from addiction treatment.
- Consuming larger amounts of the drug or using it for longer than intended.
- Failing to meet work, home, or school responsibilities
- Trying to limit or cut down on use and failing to do so
- Serious cravings for the drug
- Developing a tolerance to it, which leads to wanting to use it more frequently
- Continued use of the drug even when there are significant interpersonal or social problems from doing so
- Experience an overdose or other physical health ailments
If your loved one is experiencing these symptoms of meth use disorder (MUD), taking action could be life-saving.
Strategies to Help Your Loved One Get Meth Addiction Treatment
Recognizing the symptoms of meth addiction in your loved one can be terrifying, but there are strategies you can take to help them enter addiction treatment. Professional meth addiction treatment is one of the most important ways to reduce the risk of complications and to support. Here are some strategies to help your loved one.
Expect Them to Not Want to Talk About It
It is very common for a person with an SUD to simply not want to talk about what they are experiencing, doing, or feeling. That’s expected, and it is okay if they shut you down during that first conversation.
They will know, at that point, that you’ve recognized a problem and that you want to help. They may need some time to process that.
Tell Them What You’ve Seen
When you bring up the subject again, be clear on what you’ve seen and experienced yourself. Avoid assumptions. Instead, make this very much about what you see. You may want to discuss:
- What you’ve seen them use
- What happens to them when they use that substance
- What happens to responsibilities when they use the substance
- How scared are you when they are high or facing withdrawal symptoms
- How their drug use makes you feel
Do not presume to know what their feelings or thoughts are. Instead, make it clear that their continued use is putting you at risk and impacting your life.
Ask Questions
Avoid telling them what to do. Instead, ask them questions. Be authentic and listen to them without judgment. You may want to ask questions such as:
- What do you think about your use of meth?
- How is it impacting your mental and physical health?
- How has meth changed your life?
- What is hard for you right now?
- Do you want to stop using meth?
Open-ended questions like this put the ball in their court, giving them the opportunity to think about, consider, and even decide what to do. Allow them time to think.
Tell Them You’ll Help Them
In situations where you feel safe and want to help, let them know. Tell them what you can no longer do for them, such as bailing them out of responsibilities or lying for them. Then let them know you want them to get help and what you are willing to do to help them get treatment.
Without demeaning language or blame, provide clarity and honesty about the role you can take on.
Contact Iron Bridge for Hands-on Support Now
Iron Bridge Recovery Center offers comprehensive drug detox services in Richmond, VA. We work with families to create a way home. Our comprehensive residential treatment programs for meth addiction can help your loved one rebuild. Contact us now to learn what your next step is.
