How exactly does Methamphetamine affect the brain?
Meth is a stimulant. It goes from the blood stream and enters the blood brain barrier. Both dopamine and methamphetamine are shaped the same, thus it provides almost the same type of reward that dopamine provides to the brain. Dopamine is the pleasure neurotransmitter. Dopamine is released when you are doing exercise, eating delicious food or even when you are riding a roller coaster.
Unfortunately, the effect of methamphetamine wears out after a day, it is then replaced by a post-rush phase called tweaking. This is the time when euphoria is replaced by paranoia, delusion, and even hallucination. It also depletes the body’s supply of dopamine, which can make the person feel depressed.
Long-term use of methamphetamine can affect the overall structure of the brain and the entire nervous system. This can permanently damage your mood, behavior, and can even lead to psychosis.
Things to do before, during and after rehab
For someone who is addicted to the substance, it is important to seek professional help. This can help reduce the chances of returning to the habit while rediscovering a life without the substance.
How does a rehab facility work?
Before entering rehab, it’s important for the patient to enter the detox phase. Detox is when the person isn’t going to use meth and is going to be monitored by nurses and doctors. The goal of detox is to normalize the system before starting the rehab treatment.
Addiction treatment isn’t just about the patient. It may also involve the family members and friends that are going to interact with the patient. Keep in mind that after the rehab, it is important that the patient experiences positive interaction with family and friends in order to continue the process of recovery.
The goal of any drug rehab is to allow the patients to re-enter society without relying on drugs. A rehab facility can help the person resolve conflicts which caused the addiction in the first place. Often times, addiction takes place because of an underlying problem such as depression.
Drug rehab facilities allow a change in attitude by providing alternative activities such as sports and other entertainment activities that make them realize how fun it is to function in society even if they are not relying on substances such as methamphetamine.
A lot of rehab facilities today are catering to a resort type of service which allows the use of electronics and even provides weekend fun activities. Also, aside from the basic amenities, these facilities may be providing a more relaxing environment that is suited for someone who is undergoing treatment.
In addition to having activities lined up for the patient, drug rehab facilities also have doctors and other medical practitioners to assist them if they are dealing with other physiologic problems.
Post-recovery intervention
A lot of times, patients and also family members fear rehab facilities thinking that it is a place where a patient is forced to spend some time to recover from his or her addiction. This isn’t the case. In fact, a patient will play a major role in his or her improvement.
It is important to provide assistance to the patient even after months or weeks in the treatment facility. Post recovery intervention such as follow-up can monitor the progress of the patient and even make sure that there are no chances of returning to the habit. Often times, facilities are providing assistance by also providing access to support groups which enable them to share their experience with one another.
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