Category: Addiction

Meth Addiction Artwork

Meth Addiction – Symptoms & Treatment

Meth is one of the most destructive and addictive substances in the world today and those who fall privy to meth addiction will usually have an extremely hard time getting clean without the proper help. In fact, meth has the highest rate of relapse compared to any other type of drug.  But don’t let these statistics haunt you if you or a loved one is trying to get clean; with the proper treatment getting sober can be achieved safely and effectively.

Why is Meth Addiction so Hard to Shake?

Much like cocaine addiction, meth addicts are faced with a ton of obstacles to overcome. Meth becomes a way of life for many meth users. Oftentimes they will alter their lives around the drug – from the friends they hang out with to the daily obligations they may have. Therefore when a person wants to get clean, they’re usually not only giving up a drug but a way of life.

Once an addict gets clean there is the added difficulty of overcoming the acute withdrawal effects that can last from six months to two years, depending on how long the person has been addicted to meth.

Other difficulties to overcome may include:

  • Depression
  • Weight Gain
  • Fatigue
  • Psychosis
  • Memory Loss

Staying clean in the early stages of sobriety can be incredibly difficult which is why it’s recommended to find treatment instead of going at it alone.

Meth Treatment

Getting clean is just the first step to meth recovery. Once people finally put down the meth amphetamines and try a sober life they may feel ‘stuck’ and start connecting to various feelings that they haven’t had in a while. Feelings of not being good enough or not measuring up can creep up. This, along with the various symptoms listed above, is a huge reason why people relapse and start doing drugs again.

The trick is to challenge those beliefs and ultimately change them. According to drugabuse.gov, the most effective treatments for methamphetamine addiction are behavioral therapies. Although everyone will have a different path on the road to recovery the treatment option that you ultimately choose can have a massive impact on getting and staying sober from meth use.

Getting sober alone usually doesn’t work – it helps to have the support of the people around you. Recovery is best achieved with others, and that may be a scary thought for many that are getting help with their meth problem.

Tharros Sober House

At Tharros House Structured Living in Massachusetts, people have the most success battling meth addiction when exposed to various ideas and are given the power to choose their own path to recovery. It’s important to identify what’s meaningful for you in order to direct your own recovery. Visit www.tharroshouse.com to learn more about this approach.

Man with Substance Abuse

Substance Abuse – Get the Facts

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Where is the line between “normal use” and substance abuse?  What qualifies someone as a “normal drinker” or “normie”?  How do you know if you are dealing with a substance use disorder or someone who is a heavy drinker?

How do I know if someone’s using has become substance abuse?

In our experience, the two most relevant considerations when deciding if someone has a substance related disorder are: 1. Why the user uses; and 2. What happens when they use.  At Tharros House, we have found that those with alcohol and/or other substance abuse problems are engaging in the behavior for a specific effect; they want to escape the way they feel.  There can be many reasons why someone wants this effect, but those who become addicted or dependent all desire this escape.  But isn’t it possible to like the temporary escape and change of feelings, yet not have a substance abuse problem?  Yes, and that’s where the second component comes in.  What happens when the user engages in their substance use?  Does the user control their drinking when they want to?  Does he black out? With those who are abusing substances, there are unintended and undesired consequences, yet the person continues to engage in their behavior.  The desire for the substance intoxication is so great that the user will still engage the drink or drug despite significant consequences.

Does the user know what will happen when they use?

In most cases, when we work with someone in early recovery, they identify that once they have the first drink, they don’t know what will happen that day or night.  For alcoholic binge drinkers, it’s possible that they will have only 1 or 2 drinks, then stop on one occasion.  Then on the next occasion, despite the intention to only have 1 or 2 again, the user finds themselves in a blackout as their substance control is lost.  Blackouts are common for alcoholics, but it’s also possible to be an alcoholic and not experience blackout drinking.  Substance dependence is also not a necessary component of a substance use disorder or substance abuse.  Many who identify as alcoholics will tell you that they were never physically addicted to alcohol, yet they were still alcoholic drinkers.

Continued use despite consequences:

One of the most common consequences that indicates an issue is when a person is arrested for a DUI or OUI (driving under the influence).  Most people, if they are normal users, will immediately ensure that they are not in this position again, avoiding circumstances where they may need to drive after drinking, or limiting their consumption to ensure that they are below the legal limit.  Those with substance abuse disorders recognize that they do not want to incur another DUI, but continue to engage in the same behaviors, many times with unsuccessful intensions of limiting their consumption.  Even once they know that they cannot drink safely, they will continue to take the risk.  Additionally, with most substance abusers, a significant tolerance for the substance is achieved.  In the case of alcohol, this can lead the user to feel that he is not under the influence while in fact he is far beyond the legal limit.

Another thing that we’ve seen is that almost invariably, if someone thinks they may have a substance abuse issue, he does.  The good news is that recovery can offer gifts that reach far beyond the losses.  While achieving sobriety will most likely be one of the hardest things you accomplish, the benefits that you will receive through an honest recovery process often present a full and enjoyable life, exceeding your expectations at every turn.  We’ve seen that to be true over and over again.

To learn more about our approach, read more on our “about” page: https://tharroshouse.com/about-2/

Writing Alcohol Detox in Boston Massachusetts

Alcohol Detox – What to Expect

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The terms alcohol detox and rehab, for an individual suffering from drug addiction or alcoholism, can be overwhelming and scary.  This holds true for both the individual and the family members involved. Many times family members of those suffering from alcohol abuse or drug abuse are unsure what steps to take once someone has an alcohol or drug dependency.

Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol and drug addiction are very hard to define, unless you are a person abusing the substance. Many times, family members and friends see an alcoholic or addict’s consumption as a problem, yet, until the user admits that they have a problem, undertaking treatment or entering a rehab facility, poses many challenges and produces very few good results.  Sadly, there are many individuals who are not able to come to terms with their addiction.  However, there are steps that family members can take to help an individual reach a place of willingness.  Support groups like Al Anon and Learn 2 Cope help families identify ways to stop the enabling behaviors that prolong substance abuse.

Alcohol Detox and drug detox

Once a person is dependent on a substance, it is important that the individual receives proper medical help to detoxify their body.  Many recognize the need for a medical detox from narcotics such as an opioid or benzo.  However, it’s important to recognize that alcohol is a drug too.  When an individual builds a high alcohol tolerance, their body can become physically dependent on alcohol.  Alcohol withdrawal and alcohol poisoning are two very serious medical conditions that require medical attention to avoid an alcohol overdose, alcoholic seizures or even death.

Alcohol Withdrawal

Alcohol withdrawal differs for each individual as it is largely dependent on the amount of alcohol consumed.  After an alcohol evaluation is completed at a medical facility, alcohol withdrawal medication may be prescribed, and the patient is closely monitored.

Treatment and Recovery

Once an individual has detoxed from the substance(s), the real work of “recovery” can begin.  In most cases, residential or inpatient treatment is recommended.  Programs can range from two weeks to many months, and some as long as a year+.  Years of addiction and escaping feelings through substances cannot usually be healed overnight.  Recovery is the process of learning to live a full life, including good and bad feelings, without an escape.  The process is significant, but so are the rewards.

Alcohol Quiz

Addiction recovery starts with willingness to make changes.  That is the catalyst required to stop alcohol use disorder or any other addictive behavior.  If you’re not sure if you have a drinking problem, try taking some of the self-assessments like those offered by SMART recovery: http://www.smartrecovery.org/resources/library/Tools_and_Homework/Interactive_Tools/problem-drinking-test.htm

Remember, it’s okay to complete this kind of tool for a loved one, but it’s critical that the substance user acknowledges their issue with the substance.

There are many recovery fellowships.  The largest, and best known, is Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).  If you’re thinking about participating, it’s good to try at least 3 different meetings.  Each meeting is different and it’s important to try a few before making a judgement.  With regards to the program offered in AA, here is a questionnaire offered on AA.org to help you decide is it’s the right choice for you.  http://www.aa.org/pages/en_US/is-aa-for-you-twelve-questions-only-you-can-answer

Alcohol detox and drug detox is the first step to building a life in recovery.  While it can be a scary concept, many detox centers make the process comfortable, while ensuring that your body is safely rid of the physical symptoms and dependency.  The rewards that come through real recovery are certainly worth any temporary withdrawal discomfort.