Long-term meth addiction can be very difficult to overcome, and begin living a normal life. It is commonly asked if outpatient treatment for meth addiction is beneficial. Long-term recovery is possible with proper treatment and therapy, especially outpatient treatment. Having the care of addiction professionals to guide you through the problems life throws at you can help those struggling with meth addiction to begin living a life of positivity and recovery.

What is Meth?

Methamphetamine, or meth, is a very highly addictive and powerful stimulant drug. It affects the central nervous system (CNS) and comes in a crystalline, bitter tasting form. It can be smoked, snorted, ingested, or mixed with water and injected. Originally, methamphetamine was used in decongestants and bronchial inhalers. However, since its inception, it has become a widely abused illicit drug.

The Effects of Methamphetamine

Just like any drug, there are many effects associated with meth use, both short and long term. The most notable effect of meth is brain damage. Meth use causes the neurotransmitters in the brain to over produce and release dopamine, which is the “reward” center of the brain. Dopamine release causes feelings of pleasure. Dopamine also plays a role in movement, memory, behavior, sleep, mood, and learning. Excess dopamine can cause these vital functions to be affected adversely once the drug is stopped. The overproduction can make these functions seemingly only occur when the drug is used. 

Other short and long term effects of meth use can be:

• Trouble sleeping
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Anxiety
• Paranoia
• Hallucinations
• Confusion
• Memory loss 

What is Outpatient Treatment?

Many people have heard about inpatient treatment like detox and residential, but what exactly is outpatient treatment? How is outpatient used for meth addiction? Well, outpatient forms of treatment usually occur after inpatient treatment ends, however this is not a requirement. The opposite of inpatient, in an outpatient setting treatment occurs during specific hours while the person resides at home. It is not a residential form of treatment where the person resides in the treatment center 24 hours a day 7 days per week. This allows for independence, and learning to live a healthy lifestyle without the drug, while still receiving some vital and important support from addiction professionals. Outpatient can be beneficial for meth addiction, just as with any other substance, for this reason. There are two main types of outpatient treatment available, intensive and general outpatient.

Intensive Outpatient

Intensive outpatient, or IOP, is a form of treatment where for approximately three hours per day, and three to four days a week a person goes into a treatment center. During this time in the center, different therapies are used to teach beneficial and extremely important life and coping skills for those who struggle with addiction. Using intensive outpatient for meth addiction treatment can help to ensure a safe and successful transition into a life of recovery from drug addiction.

General Outpatient 

During general outpatient for meth addiction treatment, generally therapy occurs one to two times per week. At this point, the addict is stable and has proven that they hold themselves accountable to staying clean. They have generally learned quite a few life and coping skills to get them through those hard days where, in the past, turning to meth or other drugs would hae=ve been the solution.

Benefits of Outpatient Treatment for Meth Addiction

There are countless benefits to using an outpatient form of treatment for meth addiction. Mainly, the person can have some accountability and still be able to resume living a seemingly normal life. They will receive the benefits of therapy, both group and individual, and be able to safely express their feelings and thoughts amongst peers and professionals. During this process, those crazy and chaotic thoughts that can occur during early recovery can be expelled and positive, constructive alternative thoughts and skills for regulating feelings can be taught. 

Outpatient treatment also allows for the person using this treatment to maintain a normal life. Being that they are not in an inpatient setting, they can return to work and go back to caring for their family as well as other priorities in their life, and still receive the care that is so vital to success. This also allows friends, family, and other loved ones to see the positive changes a person is making, and those loved ones can offer support and understanding. 

Regardless of the road that led someone to this stage, using outpatient for meth addiction can be highly beneficial in teaching someone how to live their life without using drugs.

Finding Help for Meth Addiction in South Florida

Deciding to stop using drugs is a big step in anyone’s life. Ambrosia provides outpatient treatment for meth addiction, and our team provides the best care for those seeking it. If you or a loved one are struggling with meth, contact us today. We can guide you to the beginnings of a new life without meth or other drugs.