Comprehensive Meth Addiction Treatment in Denver, Colorado
Methamphetamine, also commonly referred to as “meth,” is a widely abused addictive stimulant. Those who struggle with meth use and abuse often find themselves trapped in the devastating cycle of addiction, which can significantly harm their body, life, and relationships with loved ones. This cycle, if left to continue, can be deadly. Finding professional help is not just important for recovery; it can quite literally save you or a loved one’s life.
Despite the harm it can cause, anyone can recover from methamphetamine use and addiction, including yourself and your loved ones. There’s always hope, especially when you have a team of understanding mental health care professionals by your side.
That’s why Red Rock Recovery Center offers comprehensive and quality meth addiction treatment in Denver, Colorado. Each client receives a comprehensive approach to treatment, covering everything from medical-assisted detox to aftercare services. Many of our staff are in recovery themselves. Their experiences, paired with decades of combined expertise, provide an environment that encourages healing and personal growth.
Our Addiction Treatment Center Experience
We at Red Rock Recovery Center work to provide an inclusive and peaceful environment in which our clients can truly heal. Our full level of care approach ensures that clients can get what they need to recover with minimal stress and interruptions to care.
Most clients begin their recovery journey at our Red Rock Basecamp program, which offers medical detox and residential treatment services. Our 7-acre Rocky Mountain campus offers a private setting where clients can stabilize and harness the healing power of nature. Located just 20 minutes west of the Denver Metro area, Basecamp provides convenient and comprehensive help for families in need.
Once clients have stabilized, they can make use of our outpatient and sober living programs. All of which are tailored to treat not just meth addiction, but any co-occurring disorders (known as a dual diagnosis) as well. Here at Red Rock Recovery Center, our clients become part of a wide-spanning Colorado sober community. With aftercare services and community events to look forward to, each client gets the support they need for lasting recovery.
Understanding Methamphetamine Abuse and Addiction
The more you or your loved ones know about meth addiction and abuse, the less scary treatment is. Remember that addiction can happen to anyone at any time. It is not a moral failing. With the right treatment plan and inner desire to accept help and make lasting positive change, anyone can recover from addiction.
Methamphetamine and Other “Stimulants”
As mentioned before, methamphetamine (also known as meth or “crystal” meth ) is a central nervous system stimulant. Stimulants are a class of drugs that accelerate or speed up messages that travel between the brain and body. This also increases vital signs such as heart rate and blood pressure. They are known to make a person feel exponentially more alert, awake, energized, and in some cases, experience brief moments of euphoria.
This is because meth, like many other addictive substances, also targets the reward centers of the brain. The neurotransmitter dopamine is triggered, which instills a feeling of pleasure. Over time, the brain becomes used to meth use, and can induce cravings and withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop using it. Meth is commonly consumed orally as pills, smoked, injected, or snorted through the nose.
Other types of stimulants include commonly used things like caffeine and nicotine, but also prescribed and illicit drugs like amphetamines and cocaine. It is common for those who abuse or use meth or other stimulants in excess to experience insomnia (sleep deprivation) and decreased appetite, resulting in drastic weight loss, and some even develop acute psychotic symptoms. Stimulants may be prescribed to treat some mental health disorders, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or other disorders, such as narcolepsy.
Signs of Meth Addiction
The criteria below were taken from the latest Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) used by licensed clinicians to diagnose and treat various substance use disorders. If someone meets two or more of the following criteria, they may be struggling with substance abuse or addiction:
- Stimulants are taken in larger amounts or over a longer period than intended
- You struggle with a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control stimulant use
- A significant amount of time is spent trying to obtain, use, or recover from stimulant use
- You experience a craving or strong desire, or an urge to use the stimulant
- Your recurrent stimulant use results in an inability to fulfill major role obligations at work, school, or home
- Stimulant use continues despite persistent or recurrent stimulant-exacerbated social or interpersonal problems
- Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are abandoned or reduced due to stimulant use
- You find yourself using stimulants when not appropriate or in dangerous/hazardous situations
- Stimulant use continues despite persistent or recurrent stimulant-related physical or psychological problems
- You develop a tolerance that is not due to prescribed stimulant medications (such as medicine for ADHD or narcolepsy)
- Marked increase in stimulant amounts needed to reach Intoxication or the desired effect OR
- Markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same stimulant amount
- Withdrawal symptoms experienced are not due to prescribed stimulant medications (such as for ADHD or narcolepsy)
- Characteristic stimulant withdrawal symptoms (see above) OR
- A stimulant or similar agent is taken to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms
If you notice these signs in yourself or a loved one, it’s time to seek immediate help.
The Effects of Meth Addiction and Abuse
Methamphetamine use and abuse can impact your mental and physical health and lower your overall well-being. Some of the marks meth can leave on your mind and body can include:
- Issues with memory, learning, and coordination
- “Meth mouth,” which can include dental problems, tooth loss, jaw pain, and facial changes from smoking meth
- Unintended weight loss
- Irritability
- Sleep problems and insomnia
- Sores or infected wounds from intravenous meth abuse
- Symptoms of psychosis, such as paranoia, hallucinations, or delusions
Meth can cause behavioral changes in yourself or loved ones in an effort to hide meth use or addiction. Noticing these signs can indicate not just meth addiction, but other serious mental health concerns. Signs of which can include:
- Engaging in risk-taking behaviors
- Withdrawing from activities you once enjoyed
- Becoming more secretive, defensive, or isolated from loved ones
- Getting into trouble with the law
- Being fired from a job or flunking out of school
- Lack of care for yourself, such as hygiene or maintaining a clean home
Meth use can result in an overdose. This is because, as you become more tolerant to the drug, you need more and more of it to feel the same effects as before. Meth overdose is serious and can be deadly. The signs to look out for can include:
- High body temperature
- Seizures
- Signs of a stroke (numbness in the face, arms, or legs, sudden headaches, loss of coordination, or blurry vision)
- Enlarged pupils
- Signs of a heart attack (chest pain, pressure, or squeezing sensations, discomfort in the arms, neck, jaw, back, or stomach, or shortness of breath, lightheadedness, nausea, fatigue, or cold sweats)
- Enlarged pupils
- Rapid, slowed, or irregular heart rate
- High blood pressure
- Stomach pain
- Altered mental status
- Hallucinations
- Agitation
- Paranoia
If you notice the signs of an overdose in yourself or a loved one, seek urgent care immediately.
Treating Meth Addiction at Red Rock Recovery Center
At our drug rehab center in Colorado, we are committed to providing optimal and compassionate substance abuse treatment. Our behavioral health care team is waiting to help you or your loved one achieve addiction recovery. The beginnings of which begin with our comprehensive approach to drug addiction treatment.
Red Rock’s Comprehensive Level of Care Approach
Here at Red Rock, we offer a full, comprehensive care approach to mental health care. This includes a custom-tailored treatment program for each client. In the case of meth addiction, most clients begin in medical-assisted detoxification. This program helps you detox safely and manage withdrawal symptoms with the help of 24/7 medical oversight.
Once a client has completed detox, they can participate in the next step of treatment, which is inpatient or residential care. This step provides a safe and supportive environment away from the common triggers and difficulties of life so that clients can recover in peace and privacy. Once stabilized, clients typically transition into some type of outpatient treatment, depending on their needs. This includes programs, such as:
Once treatment is complete, our clients are never left to fend for themselves. We offer further assistance after, which can include services such as 12-Step programs, support groups, and the alumni program.
Our Treatment Options
We are proud to provide a wide range of evidence-based and holistic modalities to help you or a loved one recover from addiction. Our providers and clinicians are licensed and accredited to provide treatment options such as:
- Trauma-focused therapy
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
- Medication-assisted treatment (including Suboxone for opioid and meth withdrawal management)
- Life-skills and relapse prevention training
- Psychotherapies, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Outdoor programs
Our treatment options aren’t just designed to address the addiction itself, but also the underlying cause of addiction. This can include issues such as trauma, co-occurring disorders, or chronic stress. We believe that offering well-rounded and comprehensive treatment does more than just treat addiction; it helps improve overall wellness.
Methamphetamine addiction is serious, but recovery is possible for anyone. Take back your life from addiction by calling Red Rock Recovery Center today at (855) 218-7588.
