a person supports another after learning how to help a meth addict

How to Help a Meth Addict

Meth addiction often leads to disturbing symptoms that can make families feel helpless and put people affected by addiction at serious risk for health and legal problems. Families often describe noticeable changes in their loved ones as a cause for great concern. The behaviors of someone with a meth addiction can be alarming. It is not uncommon for psychosis to set in, bringing with it a host of behaviors like paranoia, impulsivity, and clouded thinking. This is because the drug can damage the brain over time. Families are at a loss for how to help a meth addict on their own. They have to muster the courage to get the police or a mental health professional involved. Meth addiction treatment can be one of the most helpful, hopeful routes for someone struggling with the drug.

At Promises, we know understanding how to help a meth addict isn’t someone everyone understands. You can find help from a Promises meth detox center near you, where your loved one can learn how to quit using the drug and begin long-term recovery. Learn more about our programs today by calling 844.875.5609.

How Do You Help a Meth Addict?

If your loved one is struggling with a meth addiction, there are several things you can do to help them regain control of their life. Learn how to help a meth addict by following these tips:

  • Educate yourself about meth addiction – Understanding what your loved one is going through and knowing they are struggling with a disease may help you empathize. It can also help you figure out the best way to approach them.
  • Try a 12-step program – Look for support groups in your area that may help you face your loved one’s drug problem. Seek support from people who are also on a journey dealing with an addicted loved one. They have the wisdom to share.
  • Establish boundaries – Review all the ways in which you may be enabling your loved one and establish appropriate boundaries. If you give them money that is used for drugs, for example, stop funding them.
  • Consider an intervention – If your loved one has been using meth for a shorter time, you may have a better chance of reaching them on your own with a small group of people who care. But if this person has been entrenched in addiction for a long time, seek professional help to get your loved one into treatment.
  • Learn about treatment options – Identify an inpatient treatment center that can help when the time comes. Ask addiction and mental health professionals for their advice and insight into how your loved one can best be helped.

You will need plenty of patience, understanding, and support as you help your loved one battle meth addiction. Seek the right resources to provide them with the care they need. If you are looking for a way to help someone in your life, consider reaching out to Promises today.

The Importance of Meth Addiction Treatment

The first course of action with most drug addictions is detox. Thus, one of the most powerful ways to help someone is to help them find a drug rehab program. They will find the help they need through:

  • Medically assisted treatments – While there is no specific medical detox for meth, there are certain medicines an addiction physician can prescribe during inpatient drug rehab. The individual must make the commitment to stop using, but doctors can give them medication to help make them more comfortable. Physicians can also monitor them through the process of releasing the drug from their system.
  • Support for physical recovery from meth – When someone stops using meth, the body and brain have to rebalance. Drugs like meth and amphetamines drain their adrenals, sometimes for years. Often they haven’t slept much during active addiction. By the time they come into meth addiction treatment, they have gone for days on little or no sleep. When they stop the drug, they will “crash” and sleep for a week. They need to be in a rehab facility where trained professionals can help them through this phase of addiction treatment.
  • Evidence-based therapeutic approaches – Once they come through the worst of the physical release of the drug, therapy begins. There are many therapies that are used to help people with addiction. The most popular include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). CBT challenges unhelpful behaviors and cognitive distortions. DBT takes a structured, mindfulness-based approach to change behavior patterns. It also helps with emotional regulation.
  • Creative approaches – Once someone becomes more clear-headed, other techniques can be introduced. These may include yoga, art therapy, and psychodrama. Some people with meth addiction cannot express themselves, so other approaches are used to reach outside of the analytical mind.
  • Aftercare – Recovery is a lifelong process. Once someone leaves a drug rehab facility, there must be ongoing support. They will need groups, therapy, and sober activities.

It may not be easy to figure out how to help a meth addict that you love but know that you are not alone in this. With love and support and the right professional support system, people are able to recover from meth addiction and reclaim their lives.

Meth Addiction Treatment at Promises

If you or someone you love is struggling with a meth addiction, know that help is available. Promises offers comprehensive treatment programs to help individuals overcome the challenges of this powerful drug and regain control of their lives. Our experienced staff understands how to help a meth addict through evidence-based therapeutic approaches. Contact us today by calling 844.875.5609 for more information on our expert care services at one of our convenient locations near you. Together we can make a difference in your loved one’s life.

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