Crystal meth addiction and treatment

Crystal meth is considered a very dangerous drug due to its rapid and super-addictive potential during a limited number of times of use, as well as its destructive effect that it may have on the body. Crystal meth mainly consists of a substance known as pure “methamphetamine”, which affects directly and negatively the central nervous system, as well as some bleaches are added that give the drug its characteristic vitreous shape (hence it is called crystal).

There are several ways to use crystal meth, perhaps the most important of them.

Smoking: it is consumed by burning it with a hookah or any other smoking tool, and then inhaling the smoke that rises. This method is the most common among crystal meth abusers.
Inhalation: where crystal meth is crushed into powder, then inhaled through the nose.
Intravenous injection: where crystal meth is dissolved in a little water, and then this liquid is injected into a vein in the arm.
Swallowing: It is the least common method, as crystal meth is swallowed in its solid granular form, which causes severe damage to the digestive system.

What are the apparent symptoms that may arise when using crystal meth and addicted to it?
Using crystal meth initially only causes a feeling of euphoria and activity, but later, with crystal meth addiction, some pathological symptoms begin to appear, including ..

Loss of appetite.
Insomnia and sleep disturbances.
Frequent feeling of nausea.
Slight increase in body temperature.
Limb spasm.
Feeling dizzy.
skin dryness .
Dilated pupils.
Significant decrease in body weight in a short time.
Infection with digestive disorders, accompanied by constipation or diarrhea.
Impaired levels of consciousness and perception, accompanied by auditory or visual hallucinations or both, especially during the first hours after taking a dose of crystal meth.

What are the health risks of crystal meth abuse and addiction?
Irregular heart rate (often rapid heart rate).
Damage to blood vessels, which may lead to high blood pressure or the formation of blood clots.
Decline in the functional efficiency of the liver and kidneys.
Brain tissue damage, increased susceptibility to dementia, Alzheimer’s and epilepsy.

Although the first doses of crystal meth give a feeling of euphoria and activity, but with the drug addiction and the nervous system getting used to it, the addict suffers from laziness, lethargy and dullness of feelings, as well as suffering from anxiety and depression attacks that may reach his desire to commit suicide.
* If crystal meth is administered intravenously, the addict is at risk of contracting hepatitis C virus or acquired immunodeficiency virus (AIDS).
* If crystal meth is consumed through smoking, the addict is at risk of developing lung fibrosis and developing respiratory failure.
* If crystal meth is administered through inhalation, the addict is at risk of developing damage to the nasal tissues and a permanent loss of the sense of smell.
* If crystal meth is ingested, the addict is at risk of severe gastrointestinal impairment that affects its functional ability.

How is crystal meth addiction treated?
Crystal meth addiction treatment should be done in one of the clinics or centers specialized in this regard, and the duration of treatment varies from person to person depending on the duration of the addiction, as well as personal preparations and the patient’s response to the treatment plan followed play a major role in that matter, and in general the treatment plan consists of the following steps ..

Providing a healthy and comfortable environment for the patient, with strict control over him to ensure that he is prevented from obtaining the drug, and to inform him of all means of comfort and support that help him pass the withdrawal period.

Withdraw toxins from the patient’s body, and submit to a drug treatment program to reduce as much as possible the withdrawal symptoms, in addition to caring for the patient’s nutrition to help him pass this stage.

Undergo psychological and behavioral sessions that aim to deal with the attacks of anxiety and depression that he may go through during the withdrawal period, with a discussion of his fears and motives for addiction. Also, during this stage, the patient is rehabilitated to return to his normal life without problems.

Continuous monitoring and continuous communication with the patient, while providing him with moral support, in order to protect him from relapse and re-addiction again.

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