Methamphetamine Addiction
Methamphetamine — more commonly known as meth — is a highly addictive synthetic stimulant. Individuals may abuse methamphetamine in the illicit form of crystal meth or by misusing prescription medications such as Adderall, Dexedrine or Desoxyn which are frequently used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), narcolepsy or obesity.
Meth rapidly increases the amount of dopamine in the brain, resulting in a temporary sense of alertness, euphoria and heightened energy. Increased blood pressure, heart and respiratory rates caused by meth use can be dangerous and even fatal. Additionally, repeated meth use often causes hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, aggression and other distressing mood-related symptoms.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA):
- About 2.5 million people use meth in any given year
- About 1.6 million are addicted to meth
- About 500 people try meth for the first time every day
- Drug overdose deaths involving psychostimulants like meth are on the rise, increasing by an average of 30% per year in recent years
With evidence-based treatment modalities, freedom from methamphetamine addiction is possible to achieve.
Treatment Programs
Meth Addiction Treatment
Real Recovery offers evidence-based, compassionate outpatient treatment programs for adult men struggling with methamphetamine abuse. Our structured programs offer support, stabilization and a space to focus entirely on learning coping skills for sustainable recovery.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet approved any medications for the treatment of methamphetamine addiction. Effective treatments for methamphetamine addiction are therapies aimed at changing harmful thought and behavior patterns, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), the Matrix Model, motivational incentives or contingency management interventions.
