09/23/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/23/2024 15:29
Methamphetamine (meth) is a powerful and addictive substance, no matter how it's consumed. For many, casual use can lead to misuse. About1.8 million people in the U.S.have a methamphetamine use disorder. Meth addiction can greatly affect a person's life. And it impacts people around them as well - including family and friends.
Addressing someone's meth use disorder can be challenging. You want to help them recover without damaging your relationship or compromising your own boundaries and self-care. Consider these steps tohelp someone experiencing meth addiction.
1. Learn about the condition
Substance use disordersand other mental health issues can affect many aspects of a person's life, including their physical and mental health, relationships, and finances. A person experiencing addiction may try to hide their symptoms, but some signs will be apparent.
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Methamphetamineis astimulant, which means that it increases activity in the brain. When a person isunder the influence of meth, they may display:
Not everyone who uses meth will have a meth addiction. Anaddictionis when a person continues to use a substance like meth despite serious consequences. Knowing the signs of an addiction can help yourecognizeit - and recognition is an important step toward getting someone help.
Here are somewarning signs of meth addiction:
Additionally, a person who uses meth for along periodof time may show physical signs of use, including:
Good to know:Meth use can lead to overdose. Ameth overdoseis a medical emergency and needs immediate medical attention in a hospital. Call911if you think someone is experiencing an overdose.
2. Decide if you will address someone's addiction
Now that you know what to look for, you can begin gathering some more information. Write down the changes you notice and when you notice them - and how this makes you feel.
Also, consider your role in your loved one's life and your relationship to their substance use. Are you a partner, friend, or family member? Do you have a difficult history with substance use that would affect your ability to offer support?
Based on this information and your reflections, you may choose to move forward with helping them because their behavior has you concerned and you feel able to provide support.
Connecting with other people who have a loved one with addiction or attending support groups can also help you reflect on your loved one's situation and how to move forward (more information below). They may be able to give you advice, resources, and support, since they understand what you're going through.
3. Start the conversation
If you've decided to talk with your loved one, plan how you will start the conversation. Clear anddirect communicationis the cornerstone of strong relationships and getting someone help.
Keep in mind that you don't need to cover everything in one conversation. So be patient and plan to have at least a few talks.
Here are some ways tomake the communication as effectiveas possible:
Try toavoid:
It may take many conversations until your loved one is ready to face their meth misuse. Change is a process that takes time.
4. Make yourself a priority
When you spend a lot of time and energy supporting someone else, it can be easy to neglect your own physical and emotional needs. So, be sure that you're taking care of yourself too. You may not feel like you have enough energy or motivation. But it'll be much harder tohelp someone experiencing meth addictionif you're overwhelmed and struggling.
Self-careincludes eating well, getting enough rest, and making time for physical activity and hobbies you enjoy. Find ways to do things you like with people you love.
It may also help tospeak with a therapistwho has experience working with addiction in families. Therapy can provide a safe space for you to express yourself and learn ways to cope.
You can also consider getting connected to a support group. These groups can offer another level of care. Some options include:
How do I support someone who has a meth addiction?
Meth use disorder can be intense and scary. You might feel like your loved one becomes a completely different person when they use. And you may worry that you can't help them.
Here are some things to keep in mind as you support someone with a meth use disorder:
How is meth addiction treated?
In some cases, people may need a medical detox as the first step inmethamphetamine treatment. Medical detox is designed to safely manage the physical effects of withdrawal when someone stops using meth. Many people have trouble focusing on their recovery if they're still dealing with withdrawal.
After that, individual and group therapy are the main ways to treat a meth addiction. Some effectivetreatments for meth use disorderinclude:
TheMatrix modelis also helpful for stimulant addiction. This16-week behavioral treatment programoffers a combination of:
It also encourages people to get involved in positive activities that don't involve substances.
Family therapycan be an important part of addiction recovery as well. You may have opportunities to support your loved one's recovery by participating in family therapy.
There are no FDA-approved medications to treat meth use disorder. But some healthcare professionals may offer medications to address any other conditions, such as depression, anxiety, or schizophrenia.
Resources and support groups for meth addiction
Support groups aren't professional treatment options. But they can help target addiction by meeting with others experiencing similar issues. Additional resources for someone dealing with meth use disorder may include support groups like:
Encourage your loved one to experiment with different options. Sometimes it takes trying a few things to find what works best. As a friend, you can even offer to attend a support group with them or help with transportation or childcare.
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" data-qa="ContentCalloutH2Title" The bottom line
Meth is a powerful and addictive stimulant that affects people who use it as well as those around them. If you're trying to help someone with a meth use disorder, try to express your concerns in a compassionate manner and listen to their struggles too. You can also encourage them to seek treatment and attend a support group.
Keep in mind that change doesn't happen overnight. It may take several conversations or tries for a person with meth addiction to get help.