Struggling With Methamphetamine Addiction? 2 Treatment Alternatives

At a party, you nonchalantly agreed to try methamphetamine for the first time.  Since this event, your life has been negatively affected by your unending desire for more of this toxic drug.  If you can relate to this scenario, don't lose hope.  If methamphetamine addiction has taken over your life, consider the following 2 treatment alternatives.

Medications

People who are addicted to methamphetamine, more commonly referred to as meth, face increased risks for a variety of physical and mental health problems.  This type of crippling dependence can affect you now and in years to come.  If you've only started using meth recently, you may already be experiencing consequences such as:

• Nausea
• Seizures
• Dilated pupils
• Insomnia
• Poor appetite
• Elevated blood pressure
• Elevated heart rate
• Violent behavior
• Hallucinations
• Panic attacks 

Addicts who abuse meth for long periods of time sometimes experience:

• Heart attacks
• Strokes
• Serious dental problems
• Brain damage
• Kidney damage
• Lung damage
• Extreme weight loss
• Depression

Because the effects of meth addiction are both life altering and life threatening, seeking proven treatment options quickly is critical.  Some people may be able to successfully battle their meth habits by taking certain medications.  A few drugs that might be useful include:

• Mirtazapine – This drug is an antidepressant believed to have a positive effect on certain mood enhancing chemicals in the brain.  If a drug abuse specialist recommends mirtazapine, you might experience a few side effects such as anxiety, an insatiable appetite, sleepiness, and dizziness.

• Paxil – Paxil is an antidepressant thought to help a meth addict by decreasing his or her desire for the drug.  It is also believed to lessen the harsh withdrawal symptoms meth addicts face during the recovery process.  Some people who take paxil deal with weakness, heartburn, constipation, and headaches.

• Bupropion – Bupropion is another antidepressant felt to aid a meth addict by lessening his or her craving for meth.  Addiction specialists also feel this drug can help with the symptoms of depression many meth addicts endure.  However, patients taking bupropion may experience headaches, heartburn, constipation, and weakness.

• Modafinil – This drug is a stimulant that can help people recovering from meth addiction get their lives back to normal routines.  Modafinil helps you accomplish this vital task by helping you to sleep normally again.  It can also give you a much needed energy boost.  Some possible side effects of this drug are dizziness, heartburn, sleepiness, and headaches.

Equine Therapy

In addition to taking medications for meth addiction, some people are helped immensely from equine therapy.  Equine therapy is believed to be beneficial for both younger and older people.  This type of treatment can also be effective for addicts suffering with increased levels of social insecurity.  Equine therapy involves:

• Treatment sessions that include a maximum of 8 patients
• Contact with horses initiated by addicts
• Relationship building between addicts and horses
• Reflection about what has been learned during the sessions
• Application of learned concepts to individual relationships
• Application of learned concepts to entire treatment process 

For some meth addicts, equine therapy is a powerful tool that helps them improve social skills.  This type of treatment may also help you distinguish between proper and improper behaviors in social situations.  You might also become more emotionally healthy and learn to trust others more fully.

For your safety, you should only engage in equine therapy under the supervision of an experienced equine treatment specialist.  Many recovery centers offer this specialized form of holistic treatment.

If you're battling a meth addiction, you may be desperate for effective solutions.  Treatment specialists believe the aforementioned 2 alternatives can provide success for some meth addicts.  To learn more about these options and other opportunities, contact a reputable recovery center like Olalla Recovery Centers.