Meth, also known as crystal meth, ice, or simply crystal, is an incredibly potent nervous system stimulant. It often comes in pills, powder, or, most famously, shards resembling glass or ice. Meth is smoked, swallowed, or injected, and it can give users an intense and quick rush of euphoria.

Many people who use meth find themselves using it over and over again, to the point that they may find themselves addicted to it. Sierra Recovery offers world-class but affordable inpatient rehab at our rustic treatment facility in Malaga, Spain.

Is Meth Use Prevalent in the United Kingdom?

Meth use is a major concern globally. While exact numbers are hard to come by, it’s estimated that there are anywhere between 14 million and 53 million users globally. Around the world, meth accounts for about 80 per cent of amphetamine-related drug seizures. Meth use is prevalent in parts of Europe, South East Asia, Oceania, and North America.

With that said, meth abuse is not prevalent in the United Kingdom. Most of the meth use in the United Kingdom is associated with sexual intimacy while under the influence of drugs.

The already low use of meth in the United Kingdom has been in decline. Between 2008 and 2009, 1.2 per cent of people in England and Wales stated they used meth that year. A decade later, between 2018 and 2019, that rate had fallen to 0.6 per cent.

Scotland saw a similar decline, as 1.4 per cent of people reported using meth between 2007 and 2008, and 0.7 per cent of people reported the same in 2017 and 2018.

With that said, the United Kingdom still has a percentage of problematic meth users who will need comprehensive drug rehab to help them overcome their drug addiction, as meth was implicated in 46 deaths in Scotland in 2018.

What is a Meth Addiction?

Meth addiction, also known as methamphetamine use disorder, is a behavioural condition in which a person becomes physically and mentally dependent on the use of meth. A variety of factors, such as mental health, genetics, and environment, can cause a meth addiction.

Symptoms of Meth Use

There are a few symptoms that may indicate that a person is under the influence of meth. These can include:

Physical Signs

Meth is a stimulant. This means that the people who use it may feel a burst of energy. Because of this, they may become hyperactive. They may also become twitchy, and they may develop erratic sleep patterns. They may also have rapid eye movement.

Many people who are addicted to meth also rapidly lose weight. This is because they may prioritise their drug use instead of eating. Dental issues and skin sores are also common, partially due to a lack of self-care and partially due to the psychological effects of meth, such as causing a person to hallucinate and pick at their skin.

Because of the above, many people who become addicted to meth can often look far older than they are. It’s not uncommon for people who are addicted to meth to have a gaunt, sallow appearance.

Psychological Signs

The immediate psychological effect of using meth is that users get high. While they’re under meth’s influence, they may become more alert. However, over time, people may become paranoid and irritable.

Some people may also develop psychosis or experience hallucinations, such as the tactile hallucinations referenced above.

Effects of Meth Use

Prioritisation

Prioritising the use of meth over everything else is a major indicator that a person has developed a meth addiction. Meth becomes the highest priority. Relationships, careers, academics, and even personal health all fall by the wayside as drug abuse becomes the highest priority.

It becomes such a priority that a person may turn to illegal or harmful activities to continue their drug use.

Dependence

Another major effect of meth use is dependence. When a person becomes dependent on meth, they will need to use it to function normally because its presence has become the body’s new normal. Because of this, they may develop meth withdrawal symptoms when they try to detox from meth.

Tolerance

An effect of long-term meth addiction is tolerance. As a person uses meth, their body adapts and acclimates to its presence. This means that when a person uses meth, they don’t get the same high that they did in the earlier phases of their use.

When a person develops a tolerance to a drug, they will inevitably take more of it to get the high that they want. This can be incredibly dangerous as it increases the chances of an overdose occurring.

Meth Addiction Treatment at Sierra Recovery

At Sierra Recovery, we offer comprehensive treatment for substance use disorders. Some of the modalities that will be included in our treatment plans include:

CBT

Cognitive behavioural therapy, or CBT, is a versatile treatment method concerned with the relationship between thought patterns, feelings, and behaviours. As part of a rehab programme for drug addiction, it can be used to help a person identify the thought patterns that contribute to their addiction.

They can curb their behaviour by addressing the thoughts that lead to their use. Because of this, it can be an integral part of meth rehab.

DBT

Dialectical behaviour therapy, also known as DBT, is a variation of CBT that is focused on the reconciliation of opposing ideas. It was originally developed as a treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder and has proven to be a versatile treatment.

It teaches people to develop skills in four modules: mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. By developing skills in these modules, a person can tolerate emotionally charged situations without drug use and set and enforce boundaries in their personal relationships.

EMDR

Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing, or EMDR, is a form of therapy that helps people process traumatic memories to blunt their emotional impact. For people whose meth addiction is a means of coping with trauma, being able to process the traumatic events that happened to them can help dissuade their drug use.

Other Types of Rehab for Meth Addiction

The treatment options described above are just some ways we help a person go on a recovery journey. Our residential treatment facility offers individual and group therapy, which can be invaluable in a person’s treatment and rehab.

Participating in individual therapy can give someone a safe space where they can delve into the roots of their addiction and develop skills that can help them cope with their cravings.

Group therapy can also help treat meth addiction by giving someone a supportive environment wherein they can connect with others who have gone on similar journeys as them.

Other Treatments Available

There is no such thing as standardisation when it comes to treatment for meth or other substance use disorders. The people who come to us for help may need different treatment approaches to help them meet their recovery goals.

To get a thorough understanding of a person’s struggles and needs, we will conduct a thorough assessment. With this assessment, we will be able to determine the most effective approach to treating a person’s substance use.

Some people may need treatment for substance use alone, though many will also need treatment for a co-occurring mental health disorder.

We Can Help You Get Through Methamphetamine Addiction

Struggling with addiction can be isolating and difficult to face. At Sierra Recovery, we offer a safe and compassionate environment where you can begin your journey to recovery. You, or your loved one, deserve to have a life that is free from meth addiction, and we want to help you enjoy a sober, healthy life.