Rise of Meth Death Rate Shows Worsening Problem

Meth Death Rate Indicates The Problem is Far From Over

With the current opioid death tolls totaling around 115 people each day, according to the CDC, it’s easy for many people to forget some of the other drugs that filled news reports in recent years. A problem believed to be mostly solved in the early 2000s, crystal meth abuse is now a rising problem again in the United States. In this article, we will explore the meth death rate, what happens when you stop and what treatment can do for you.

The Meth Death Rate

The meth death rate is something that hasn’t made any headlines recently as the opioid epidemic rages. But the meth death rate reveals that the problem is not only back, but escalating. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the amount of people that died from meth abuse increased by more than 100 percent from 2010 to 2014 – years after the drug problem was thought to be under control.

Obstacles to Stopping

A person who finds themselves addicted to meth has obstacles that bar their recovery. Among the obstacles is one that most addicts share: the active avoidance of treatment and anything that would cause them to stop their abuse. However, this is not due to preference but rather because of how addiction affects the brain, causing drug-seeking behavior regardless of negative consequences.

Another of the obstacles that meth addicts must overcome is meth withdrawal. The symptoms of meth withdrawal can bend even the strongest of wills. Some of the symptoms addicts in recovery have are as follows:

  • Sleep disturbances
  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Tremors
  • An intense craving
  • Hypertension
  • Vomiting and nausea
  • Respiratory problems and potential failure
  • Severe depression
  • Unable to feel any pleasure (anhedonia)
  • Restlessness
  • Extreme fatigue
  • Suicidal thoughts and behavior
  • Psychosis

During methamphetamine withdrawal, it is especially important to monitor the person because of how severe the depression can become. Suicidal behavior is the number one concern as depression becomes too much to handle.

Why Use Meth Addiction Treatment?

Meth is a substance that is notoriously difficult to stop alone, and for good reason: it creates an intense physical dependence. This dependence causes the person to feel that they have to have more meth in order to function at all. When meth abuse has reached this point then one of the few ways to get better is through meth addiction treatment.

What Does Treatment Involve?

Treatment for an addiction to meth happens in three main stages: detoxification, therapy and aftercare services. To better understand how each of these stages helps to treat a meth addiction, we will take a closer look at each.

Detoxification is a crucial part of treatment, especially in the case of meth addiction. In order ensure the safety of the individual, they are usually placed in the care of the rehab center during their detox. In this way, addiction specialists can monitor their health and well-being. At rehab, an addict also has access to medications. These are FDA-approved and can greatly help to reduce many of the overwhelming symptoms, including cravings.

Therapy is next crucial stage in recovery. Its goal is to address the factors in the person’s life and behavior that inevitably led them to abuse meth. Therapy is provided in many different ways from traditional methods such as cognitive-behavioral therapy to animal therapy.

Finally, aftercare services help to keep people clean after treatment. They include sober living environments that cater for newly recovering addicts and support groups.

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.

About the Author

is a proud alumni member of WhiteSands Treatment. After living a life of chaos, destruction and constant let downs, Mark was able to make a complete turnaround that sparked a new way of life. He is serious about his recovery along with helping others. At WhiteSands Treatment, we offer support to you in your homes or when you are out living in your daily lives.