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METHAMPHETAMINE or
METH
- ADDICTION & REHABILITATION
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Common addiction
Methamphetamine addiction is a very common addiction.
“Crystal Meth” has stimulant effects and produces a pleasurable feeling, when it wears off it produces the opposite effect. This is because the drug suppresses the normal production of adrenaline and creates a chemical imbalance. This imbalance translates mentally as irritability and a demand for more of the drug to go back to feeling good again.
METHAMPHETMINE AND THE BRAIN
Tremors
Methamphetamine is neurotoxic and affects the brain deeply. Methamphetamine amplifies apoptosis-the normal process by which the brain kills defective cells - to the point where it also eliminates healthy cells. In extreme cases, methamphetamine use can cause such severe destruction that users become severely disabled. For example, some methamphetamine abusers have developed a syndrome marked by uncontrollable tremors similar to those seen in Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's disease manifests as tremors and is due to decreased production of dopamine. Studies show that dopamine production is also decreased in prolonged use of methamphetamines, which can result in symptoms similar to those of Parkinson's disease.
Serious brain damage
In scientific studies examining the consequences of long-term meth exposure, researchers report that as much as 50% of the dopamine-producing cells in the brain can be damaged after prolonged exposure to relatively low levels of meth. Serotonin-containing nerve cells may be damaged even more extensively. Whether this toxicity is related to the psychosis seen in some long-term meth abusers is still an open question
In animals, a single high dose of the drug has been shown to damage nerve terminals in the dopamine-containing regions of the brain. High doses can elevate body temperature to dangerous, sometimes lethal levels, as well as cause convulsions. Animal research shows that high doses of meth damage neuron cell endings. Dopamine- and serotonin-containing neurons do not die after meth use, but their nerve endings (terminals) are cut back, and regrowth appears to be limited.
Brain self-repair
However, under the right circumstances, first, the brain can self-repair some types of damage. Second, the brain is plastic - that is, when cell losses disrupt the neural circuits that the brain has been using for a specific function, it can learn to use other circuits to perform that function. Plasticity is extremely powerful, as shown by numerous patients' recoveries from extensive cerebral injuries.
Medical consequences
Chronic methamphetamine abuse can result in inflammation of the heart lining, and among users who inject the drug, damaged blood vessels and skin abscesses. Methamphetamine abusers also can have episodes of
- violent behavior,
- paranoia,
- anxiety,
- confusion, and
- insomnia.
Heavy users also show progressive social and occupational deterioration.
Acute lead poisoning
Acute lead poisoning is another potential risk for methamphetamine abusers. A common method of illegal methamphetamine production uses lead acetate as a reagent. Production errors may therefore result in methamphetamine contaminated with lead. There have been documented cases of acute lead poisoning in intravenous methamphetamine abusers.
Often time, chronic use will cause skin irruptions.
Withdrawal symptoms
Methamphetamine does not create physical dependence and does not require medical detox. However, breaking the addiction to methamphetamine may bring the following withdrawal symptoms:
- Fatigue,
- disturbed sleeping patterns,
- irritability,
- intense hunger,
- moderate to severe depression,
- anxiety, and
- psychotic reactions.
The withdrawal symptoms, especially the depression and physical agony, are reported to be worse than heroin or cocaine.
Natural detoxification program
- Our natural detoxification program supports the restoration of normal sleeping patterns and restores physical health very quickly.
- Brain chemical imbalance is addressed with our nutritional treatment and soon mental clarity replaces the fogginess.
- Daily counseling offers the opportunity to reflect on one's life, review belief systems and create new goals.
- The use of cognitive behavioral therapy has proven to be very useful in the recovery process.
Recommended stay
We recommend a one month minimum stay and a longer time for those who have been metamphtamine dependant for a long time, or who have relapsed one or more times.
Sources: http://www.drugabuse.gov/NIDA
http://www.nida.nih.gov/scienceofaddiction/brain.html
http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/drugfact/methamphetamine/
Methamphetamines
Our intervention for drug abuse
Metamphetamine / cocaine addiction
http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/drugfact/methamphetamine/index.html
Meth has toxic effects. In animals, a single high dose of the drug has been shown to damage nerve terminals in the dopamine-containing regions of the brain. High doses can elevate body temperature to dangerous, sometimes lethal levels, as well as cause convulsions.
The withdrawal symptoms, especially the depression and physical agony, are reported to be worse than heroin or cocaine, and often addicts will drop out of recovery programs.
BRAIN
In scientific studies examining the consequences of long-term meth exposure, concern has arisen over its toxic effects on the brain. Researchers report that as much as 50% of the dopamine-producing cells in the brain can be damaged after prolonged exposure to relatively low levels of meth. Serotonin-containing nerve cells may be damaged even more extensively. Whether this toxicity is related to the psychosis seen in some long-term meth abusers is still an open question. Over time, meth appears to cause reduced levels of dopamine, which can result in symptoms similar to those of Parkinson's disease, a severe movement disorder.
Animal research shows that high doses of meth damage neuron cell endings. Dopamine- and serotonin-containing neurons do not die after meth use, but their nerve endings (terminals) are cut back, and regrowth appears to be limited.
Our program FREEDOM FROM ALL ADDICTIONS
Our methods and modalities
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HAWAII NATURAL DRUG REHABILITATION
& RAW DETOXIFICATION CENTER
Holistic Natural Residential Rehabilitation Programs for freedom from addiction to legal and illegal substances -
drawing from Naturopathic and Detoxification medicine, Behavioral and Psychodynamic therapy approaches, Meditation, Yoga and Spiritual practices.
Note: We take only a small amount of clients, and our programs are individually designed. Our use of the ocean, the recreational activities & natural approaches facilitate recovery.
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ADDICTION RECOVERY
- COCAINE -
I had been doing drugs heavily for 16 years and no rehab or therapist could change me.
I was too full of toxins for the twelve-step program to ever work on me. I needed to clean my body out so that I could feel normal enough to fight the desire to do drugs.
Dr Baylac awakened me.
I have remained cocaine free now for 2 years (2008)....
More testimonials
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We are located on the powerful healing island of Hawaii
