Meth, which is also referred to as “trash,” is made up of several toxic chemicals that can be easily bought at local hardware stores and pharmacies. With a pseudoephedrine base, meth produces an energetic high that can be so euphoric that it keeps people coming back for more. Unfortunately, abusing meth can lead to an early grave, as the chemicals within it destroy both the mind and the body at a rapid rate.
If someone you love is abusing meth or addicted to it, there is a great chance that they will need professional treatment or meth rehab in order to stop their use. Knowing when your loved one is at a point where they need rehab, however, can be challenging.
Signs Your Loved One Needs Meth Rehab
If you are wondering if your loved one needs meth rehab, there is a strong possibility that they may. People often try to excuse uncomfortable thoughts (such as “my loved one is an addict and needs help”) because they are too overwhelming to face. But if you know what to look for, you can easily decipher when it is time for your loved one to get professional help and do so with clarity of mind.
1. Continuing to abuse meth despite consequences of use
When your loved one is abusing meth, they will inevitably experience consequences of their use. It is impossible for them to come out of a meth addiction unscathed, because the continued abuse of this drug can be life-changing. These consequences they endure may seem minor at first (e.g. missing a planned event, forgetting some basic responsibilities, or sleeping too little or too much), but because of how dangerous meth is, consequences can go from minor to major in no time at all.
You may find yourself chalking up your loved one’s behaviors so that they do not seem as bad as they really are. You may even cover up for them when their meth use compromises their wellbeing. But the bigger problem that occurs in these situations is that your loved one is continuing to abuse meth despite any and all consequences that come their way. When this is occurring, it signifies that a psychological and/or physical dependence on meth exists. Getting into meth rehab is the best option possible when this is your loved one’s reality, as attempting to stop using meth independently is extremely challenging and dangerous.
2. Difficulty functioning regularly
Meth is a stimulant substance, so those who abuse it are striving to get that energetic high they crave. The rush that is produced from getting high generally only lasts for about a half an hour, meaning that if your loved one wants to stay high, they will be using back-to-back. Because of this behavior and because of the effects of this drug, people who are addicted to meth struggle to hide the severity of their use. Meth addicts do not usually continue to function at high levels like some who are addicted to alcohol may. What this means is that their ability to function on a regular basis is compromised, especially as their meth abuse becomes worse. So, what you may see is your loved one neglecting their household responsibilities, duties at work or school, and even their finances. Instead of seeing them take care of those basic everyday things, you may see them staying awake for days on end followed by several more days of straight sleep. During this time there is no way that they can care for someone else, maintain good standing at work or school, or keep up with their lives. When your loved one loses control over their life because they are abusing meth, seeking professional treatment is critical.
3. Admitting they have a problem but doing nothing about it
Meth addicts are not surprised when they finally come to realization that they are, in fact, addicted to meth. From the outside looking in, it may appear that someone addicted to meth has no idea just how bad their use is, but like most addicts, meth addicts know when they have a problem. Some may never admit to that but many others do. The problem gets worse if your loved one openly states that they are addicted to meth but then does nothing to help themselves. Admitting to a meth addiction but not taking action can mean many things, as several people who acknowledge their addiction are doing so in the hopes that someone else will step in and help. That is not the case for every user, but it is very common. If you begin hearing your loved one talk about their addiction but notice that they are not doing anything to improve their situation, it is time to get professional help by enrolling your loved one involved in meth rehab.
4. Putting themselves or others in danger
When addicted to meth, the most important thing for a user is to ensure that they always have access to more meth. That is because coming down from a meth high is very uncomfortable and sometimes even painful. Since this is the priority rather than safety, it can be easy for a meth addict to regularly put themselves or others in harm’s way.
Some common ways that meth addicts put themselves and others in danger include:
- Driving while high
- Getting high while watching their children or other children
- Continuing to use despite knowing that when high, they become angry, violent, and/or aggressive towards things, themselves, or others
- Engaging in risky sexual behavior, such as not using protection
- Increasing their risk of bloodborne diseases like hepatitis and HIV if using intravenously
Your loved one may already be doing some of these things or others, and if so, it is time that they enroll in meth rehab in order to save themselves and those around them.
5. Using other substances to combat the effects of meth and symptoms of addiction
As mentioned before, meth is a stimulant substance. When people abuse this drug, the intensity of the high is extreme and it creates a significant sense of euphoria and energy. For some people, however, the high can be too intense and maybe even a little uncomfortable. When substance abuse is problematic, one of the most common signs that help is needed is when a person starts using other addictive substances to combat their primary use. For example, those who abuse meth but who are not comfortable with the intensity of the high may use alcohol, opioids, or other “downers” to help reduce the effects. This is extremely problematic because mixing addictive substances can lead to serious physical and psychological damage as well as fatal overdose. If your loved one is doing this, professional meth rehab can help them stop using all of the substances they are on in order to establish sobriety.
Addiction Treatment in Nashville
At Discovery, you never have to do anything alone. We stand with the loved ones of our patients and encourage full, familial healing from addiction with our long-term recovery programs in Nashville. If your loved one needs help and you are ready to get the process started, do not hesitate to reach out to us. We are ready to help you and your loved one get past active addiction and begin living a healthy, fulfilled life.
