Crystal methamphetamine is an addictive drug that is referred to by a variety of street names. These street names include speed, crank, and ice. Meth can be a highly dangerous drug. Fortunately, there are not that many people in the United Kingdom who use ice. That said, the people who do use meth will still need treatment and support to help them overcome their struggles.
Liberty Home is a world-class treatment centre that can help people overcome their methamphetamine use.
What is Crystal Meth, and Why is it Called Ice?
Crystal meth is a highly-addictive form of methamphetamine. It is a central nervous system stimulant. There are numerous ways in which meth can be ingested, such as smoking through a pipe, snorting it, injecting it, or swallowing it.
Crystal meth comes in bluish-white rocks that resemble shards of glass or ice, hence the street name. Regardless of its name, crystal meth is generally illegal to produce, distribute, and possess. It can lead to serious social, legal, mental, and physical consequences.
Effects of Meth Addiction
Crystal meth is a drug that can have several serious effects. These effects can be divided into:
Immediate Effects
The use of ice can have immediate effects. One of the most obvious effects is that it can give someone an immediate sense of euphoria or a high. This high is the reason that some people use meth over and over again.
Amphetamines such as crystal meth are also stimulants. This can result in increased wakefulness, alertness, and energy. However, as with many stimulant drugs, taking meth can result in a rapid heart rate and increased blood pressure.
Meth can also inhibit a person’s appetite, so any cravings for food that a person may have will disappear. Meth use has also been known to raise a user’s body temperature. Because the drug is a stimulant, some people can become more talkative or restless when they are under its influence.
Long-term Effects
However, the real dangers of using ice will come with long-term use. One common danger of long-term drug addiction, not just methamphetamine, is tolerance. When a person becomes tolerant of a drug, their bodies acclimate to it, and the effects are dulled. This will lead to a person taking more of the drug to achieve the high that they want. This will increase the risk of an overdose.
Another long-term effect is dependence. This is when a person’s body acclimates to the presence of meth. This can lead to withdrawal symptoms if they’re ever unable to use meth for whatever reason. In extreme cases, a person can develop psychosis as a result of withdrawal.
Using meth can also prematurely age a person. Because of the rapid weight loss, many meth users can take on a gaunt appearance. Coupled with a lack of personal care, many meth users may look far older than their ages as a result of their ice use.
There is also ‘meth mouth’ among regular users. Meth can cause various dental problems, such as dry mouth because it disrupts saliva production. This can lead to a series of dental health problems, which can contribute to the gaunt appearance described above.
Some meth users can also develop hallucinations, one of which may be the sensation of bugs crawling on or under their skin. This will cause them to scratch, leading to wounds and open sores.
Meth can also weaken a person’s immune system, making them more vulnerable to infectious diseases and slowing down their recovery from illness. Speaking of which, many meth users may share needles. This is a practice that facilitates the spread of infectious diseases such as HIV or hepatitis.
There are also mental health consequences of long-term ice use. Many can develop chronic depression due to the way meth use affects dopamine. They may also have impaired brain function, which can lead to difficulty controlling emotions as well as having problems with their memory.
Treatment for Ice Use
While ice can have serious consequences on a person’s health and overall well-being, there are treatment options available to help a person overcome illicit drug use. Addiction treatment will generally include the following:
Behavioural Therapy
Behavioural therapies will often be a cornerstone of any treatment plan to address drug use. One of the most widely used modalities in treating addiction is cognitive behavioural therapy or CBT. CBT helps patients identify and address the thought patterns that may contribute to substance use.
Dialectical behaviour therapy, or DBT, can help a patient learn skills in four key modules: core mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. Learning these skills can help a person manage their cravings and emotions without resorting to substance use.
Primary Care
One of the most intensive forms of treatment available for addiction is primary care, also known as residential treatment. While in a treatment facility, a person will be in a controlled environment where they will receive intensive treatment for substance use. They’ll also be given treatment options for when their inpatient care plan is up, and they have to leave the facility and return to the real world.
Sober Living
One of the treatments that a person can avail of after leaving a rehab clinic is sober living. These kinds of programmes can be integral for helping a person transition back into real life and reintegrate into society after treating their addiction. These programmes can also help a person rebuild their lives after treatment, as they can often need help with jobs, relationships, and other aspects of life.
Group Therapy
Many people who struggle with addiction may struggle with feelings of loneliness and isolation. This is because they often prioritise ice use over maintaining their relationships. Or loved ones may recognise addiction and distance themselves.
Whatever the case, many meth users often become isolated. Group therapy can offer them a supportive recovery community full of people who have had similar struggles as them.
You Can Overcome the Effects of Ice Addiction
So many people who struggle with alcohol and drug addiction can lose hope that their conditions can be overcome. However, with proper treatment and support, a person can overcome their drug use, including ice use.
With the right treatment and support, the bitter taste of addiction can be washed away. Liberty Home offers a path to recovery. Contact us to learn more.
