Addictive Illegal Substances: Methamphetamines (South Coast Counseling)

Drug Abuse: Meth Addiction | South Coast Counseling

If your loved one has a meth addiction, you should inform yourself on the history and effects of the substance to best understand this form of drug abuse.

Often times, you will hear about how methamphetamines, also known as “meth,” are a big problem in today’s world. In fact, there are more than 24.7 million people addicted to crystal meth, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Because this is such a widely-abused drug, it is possible that you have a loved one who has slipped into the awful cycle of meth addiction. If your loved one has a meth addiction, you should inform yourself on the history and effects of the substance to best understand this form of drug abuse.

The History of Meth

Though it was initially discovered in 1887, the first use of synthesized amphetamine was not until 1919, during World War I. It has been said that this kind of meth was used to keep tank drivers awake during the war. In the 1960s, this substance was used more commonly by athletes, students, gangs and truck drivers.

In 1980, crystal meth was invented because the government put Phenyl-2-propanone, amphetamine’s main component, under federal control. Meth cooks discovered that this new version of the substance was more potent than the first. Users quickly took to the new substance and cartels quickly formed, supplying meth to the West Coast of the United States. Though after decades of trying to slow the trafficking and making of methamphetamines, this illegal substance has still spread to all parts of the nation, sparking a wave in drug abuse.

The Consequences of Meth

Meth addiction can cause a myriad of health issues, which can be further worsened by continued use. According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, short-term effects of this drug abuse can include, but not be limited to: increased activity, decreased appetite, euphoria, increased respiration, irregular heartbeat and even hyperthermia.

Long-term effects of meth addiction can have an effect on the brain, both physically and mentally. For instance, meth abusers may experience memory loss and hallucinations, while there are shortfalls in their thinking and motor skills. Additionally, violent behavior may spark from meth use, as well as mood disturbances and destructibility. Weight loss and severe dental issues can also be associated with long-term meth addiction.

How Treatment Helps

Because long-term meth abuse has such detrimental health consequences, it is important that you seek help for your loved one who may have a Meth addiction Southern California. Not only can this kind of drug abuse come with serious health issues, it can also land your loved one in trouble with the law.

Drug abuse rehab would be able to help bring your loved one out of their meth addiction. With varying methods of therapy, those with a drug abuse problem would learn how to control their addiction, so that they can live a healthy lifestyle once again. They would be provided with the tools they need in order to re-enter the world, void of meth.

To learn more about how the professionals at South Coast Counseling can help you or your loved one with their meth addiction Meth addiction Southern California, please visit our website or contact us.

5 Things You Should Know About Dual Diagnosis | South Coast Counseling

Here are five things you should know about dual diagnosis so that you can better understand the disorder and help those who may be suffering.

When someone has been determined to have a dual diagnosis, this means that they have a substance abuse problem in addition to a mental health disorder. The world of dual diagnosis is complicated because it can come in so many different forms. Here are five things you should know about dual diagnosis so that you can better understand the disorder and help those who may be suffering.

1. Dual Diagnosis is Common

Some studies have shown that as many as half of those with a substance abuse problem also suffer from a dual diagnosis, due to a form of mental illness. Alternatively, four million of those who have a diagnosed mental health disorder also struggle with substance abuse.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), of these millions of people, only a little more than seven percent attend dual diagnosis rehab for both of their disorders. Some receive treatment for one of their struggles, but most do not receive any treatment at all.

2. It Can Come in Many Forms

Basically any combination of a mental disorder and a form of substance abuse can be considered a dual diagnosis. Because of this, treatment can prove to be difficult. Until recently, patients were treated for their disorders and substance abuse problems separately, which proved to be ineffective more often than not.

3. There are Common Forms

Despite the seemingly endless combinations of dual diagnosis, certain patterns have been detected, resulting in common forms of this disorder. Along with substance abuse, the most common mental disorders associated with dual diagnosis are: depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, personality disorders and schizophrenia.

While the substance paired with these mental health issues can vary, alcohol is most commonly associated with depression, personality and bipolar disorders and anxiety. It is mistakenly believed that alcohol takes the “edge” off the symptoms of these illnesses, which unfortunately can lead to substance abuse.

4. Patients can be Considered “High-Risk”

Because mental health disorders can take a toll on someone’s brain and body, adding substance abuse to the mix can only worsen the situation. While the sufferer may think that drinking or using drugs will make them feel better, it can maximize the symptoms that are associated with their mental health disorders. This is why some are led to believe that high-suicide rates can be associated with dual diagnosis.

5. It can be Difficult to Treat

Considering the fact that there are so many types of this disorder and that the patients can be at high-risk, dual diagnosis can be difficult to treat. Few rehab centers in the country are equipped with the tools and the staff to be able to treat someone with a dual diagnosis rehab. Medical advances have been made in order to more effectively treat these kinds of patients, but unfortunately, it is not easily accessible for every rehab center at this current point in time.

South Coast Counseling is one of those few centers that is able to treat patients in dual diagnosis rehab. If you feel that you or a loved one is suffering from dual diagnosis, please, do not hesitate to contact us for more information about therapy options. 

Common Myths About Drug Abuse | South Coast Counseling

One of the most dangerous things about addiction is that many don’t understand what it is. While drug abuse can be different for everyone, there are myths out there that simply aren't true and can hinder a person on their road to recovery.

1. Myths on Prescription and “Natural” Drugs

Some believe that because a medicine is prescribed, that it can’t be addicting or dangerous. Unfortunately, this is not the case, which is why doctors have to write specific scripts for most drugs, to ensure that patients are not getting more than they need.

While many would like for you to think that drugs are “safer” because they are naturally grown in the ground, this isn't true either. Drugs such as marijuana and hallucinogenic mushrooms can alter brain chemistry, resulting in dangerous side effects.

2. The Myth on Drug Abuse and Stability

If drug abuse is seen as cut-and-dry, black-and-white situation, it is assumed that one cannot be addicted to drugs if they live a stable life. However, drug addicts can come from all walks of life. This means that just because someone has a good job and a stable home-life, it does not mean that they are immune to being addicted to drugs.

In the chance that a drug addict has the ability to hold a job or maintain a marriage, it could simply mean that they have tolerant people in their lives, or that they are good at hiding their addiction. These users could potentially be more dangerous to themselves, as they do not have to suffer the typical consequences of drug abuse.

3. The Big Detox Myth

One of the most difficult steps on the road of recovery for an addict is getting through detox. Because the body is adjusting to a normal balance of chemicals, detox can be physically taxing on the body. Many people believe that, due to the hardcore nature of detox, one is cured as soon as they've gone through it. This isn't necessarily true.   

Programs that advertise for a rapid detox or all-curing detox can be dangerous for the person in question. Addiction should be treated like an illness, one that has no real cure. Detox is only the beginning of the road to recovery, as many need intense counseling throughout the entirety of their life in order to fully beat drug addiction.

4. Myths on Drug Addiction Treatment

Contrary to popular belief, just because someone has been addicted to drugs in the past, it doesn't make them a “bad” person. Drug abuse Huntington Beach is not related to one particular demographic of people, either. And in order to get well, you do not have to be religious to successfully undergo treatment. There are programs that are centered around religion, yes, but they are not for everyone.       

Drug addiction treatment is about people wanting to get well and lead a better life for themselves; it is about a lifelong journey on the road of recovery. Please visit our website if you feel that you or a loved one is suffering from drug addiction.

Why a Structured Routine Can Help You Through Addiction Recovery

Establishing a new routine is one of the best ways to ensure that you stay on the path to recovery. This new routine can add structure to your life, help you take care of important tasks on a day-to-day basis and also prevent you from slipping back into old, bad habits that led to alcohol or drug abuse.

To help you learn more about why new routines are so crucial during addiction treatment for drugs or alcohol, here are some of the ways in which they help you recover:

Reduce Anxiety and Unpredictability

While substance abuse can really start at any point, a huge factor in psychological addiction comes from reverting to substance use during periods of uncertainty or boredom. The easiest example is that someone wakes up on a day they do not have to work, they begin watching TV and they decide to consume drugs since they cannot determine what else they want to do with their day.

This pattern of behavior instantly obliterates any chance of productivity for that day and creates unhealthy routines. By having an alternative routine that involves doing things that are healthy for the body, mind and spirit, the temptation to abuse drugs or alcohol is partially avoided.

In fact, professionals like psychologist Jennifer Fee have noticed a direct correlation between boredom and anxiety. “When there's not a lot going on, [...] there is room to focus on thoughts, feelings, or bodily sensations that get the vicious cycle [of anxiety] moving,” she claims. This type of anxiety can be triggered by a structureless environment, whereas having a set purpose can prevent feelings of anxiety that may lead to drug or alcohol abuse.

Create Internal Support for Your Own Well-Being

There are only so many things that our brains can keep track of at a given time. We compensate for this fact by building in “autopilot” motor skills or activities in order to get through the day without having to focus on every tiny detail. When we drive, for instance, we can automatically feel how much gas to give on the pedal based on past experience when we approach a familiar hill. Another example is the inbuilt assumption that after work on Wednesdays you will drive to the gym.

Introducing a new routine into your life helps build this structure and allows you to take better care of yourself and your personal relationships — eventually without having to exert any effort. By forcing yourself to eat three meals a day without skipping breakfast, for example, you reduce your chances of being malnourished. Committing to a set exercise time or a work schedule similarly helps you keep track of important elements that lead to a normal, stable life. One major consequence of drug and alcohol abuse is self-neglect, after all, so by creating a structured routine you are not only avoiding abuse but also doing things that actually add enjoyment to your life.

Create an Entirely New Lifestyle

Another major contributor to substance abuse is simply the ritual of abusing. When we get off work, having a beer can be a perfectly acceptable habit. However, when one beer becomes a night of binge drinking in front of the TV every single night, this ritual becomes harmful to your body and your general well-being. 

Creating a new routine introduces new alternative rituals that actually enrich our lives. Jogging can be a great way to get the stimulation you craved from drugs with real health benefits rather than a debilitating crash. Picking up a hobby like painting or learning to play guitar can substitute a night spent drinking beer or doing drugs while passively staring at a screen.

Introducing dramatic changes like these can be the only way for some people to break away from their old life and create a new, happier, healthier one during their Addiction treatment Seattle wa . You can try any of these activities and tie them directly to your rehab program with therapy options available from treatment centers like South Coast Counseling.

Visit our Types of Therapy page to learn how music therapy, art therapy, career development and similar programs can have you focusing on something that brings you joy rather than pain.