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The effects of Meth abuse are devastating, but there is hope for those who
use or are addicted to the drug.
Meth addiction is
different from addiction to alcohol or other drugs and, most often,
traditional methods of treatment are not as effective for addicts. For
example, while detoxification for alcohol and other drugs may take hours
or a few days, Meth remains in a person's system for days. It can take six
weeks or longer to de-tox. Also, many people are on a binge when they
enter treatment and typically crash during their de-tox period, forcing a
need to sleep - sometimes for days. This will cut into the standard time
allotted for most treatment programs.
Research into Meth
addiction recovery points to a need for a multifaceted approach. Meth
abuse not only affects addicts' physical health, but also their emotional,
mental and spiritual well-being
(See: Meth Withdrawal Linked to Depression, Anxiety)
. Following
detoxification, 12 Step recovery programs such as
Alcoholics Anonymous and
Narcotics Anonymous are key elements in obtaining and maintaining
recovery.
Please contact
Cindy Ryan at the South Dakota
Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse for information on Meth treatment
placements. For information on service agencies dealing with alcohol and
other substance abuse issues, please
click here.
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