Crystal Meth Rehab Explained
Methamphetamine – better known as crystal meth – is one of the most addictive and dangerous drugs on the street, and while its use in the UK has not yet reached the epidemic levels found in some other parts of the world, crystal meth addiction is a growing problem throughout the country. However, a number of treatment facilities now operate across Britain which can help crystal meth addicts overcome their addictions.
Where to Get Help for Crystal Meth Addiction/Substance Abuse
If you are struggling with crystal meth addiction, the treatment landscape can first be a daunting proposition – especially because it is important that you choose the right treatment option for your own situation and personal circumstances. However, experts can help you navigate your way through the various different choices and make the process much simpler for you: when you are ready to seek help, get in touch with your GP and/or an addiction specialist with whom you can talk about your situation and find out about the various different treatment options from which you may be able to benefit.
Importance of treating crystal meth addiction & when to seek treatment
If you are addicted to crystal meth you are placing yourself in great danger: crystal meth abuse can kill you, and even if it does not it can cause you permanent harm in terms of damaging your health and irreparably ruining your life prospects. Because of this, it is imperative that you defeat your crystal meth addiction as soon as you can – and, therefore, the sooner you can reach out for professional help the better.
There is no wrong time to get help for a crystal meth addiction. However, the earlier you can do so, the less the chance that you will sustain permanent damage, and the greater the likelihood that you will be able to beat your addiction. If you find yourself unable to stop taking crystal meth, and/or if the drug has started to damage your health or other parts of your life, speak to your doctor or a specialist immediately.
Call our admissions line 24 hours a day to get help.
Understanding crystal meth addiction treatment and rehab options
Crystal meth addiction can be treated in a great many different ways, and numerous organisations and treatment facilities are operating in the UK which can help you. However, bear in mind that not all kinds of treatment, nor every individual clinic, will suit you and your situation. What type of treatment you get, the way in which you receive it, where you receive it, who provides it, the duration of treatment, and a host of other issues will be affected by numerous different factors, including your physical and mental condition, the severity of your addiction, your location and others.
The most crucial thing, though, is that you get into treatment in the first place, whether it is provided by the NHS, a private clinic or a charity. Although it is very important that you select the right kind of treatment, it is even more important that you get treated at all: if you do not, your crystal meth addiction could prove fatal.
- Charities
- NHS Options
- Private Rehab
- Residential Care
Private rehab vs free treatment options for crystal meth addiction
A number of different organisations – including, of course, the NHS, as well as various different charities – provide addiction treatment in the UK. Unfortunately, places in free treatment services are often limited, and waiting times can be long, and many addicts (especially those for whom their crystal meth addictions are proving particularly distressing or dangerous) feel the need to get help as quickly as possible, which often involves taking private options. Like any private healthcare, private addiction treatment comes at a cost – but many people are able to pay for their crystal meth addiction treatment via health insurance, while some private clinics offer credit and other payment options.
Executive/luxury rehab programmes for crystal meth addiction
Although getting help for crystal meth addiction is vital, some people in high-pressure job roles are reluctant to take the time away from the office which residential addiction treatment typically entails. If you work in such a role, you may prefer to unroll in an executive rehab programme which provides facilities (such as videoconferencing and regular internet access) enabling you to keep up-to-date with your work.
If you are a high net worth individual, you may wish to contemplate a luxury rehab programme in which treatment is provided in a very high-end environment comparable to a luxury hotel or holiday resort, in order to minimise your stress and optimise your comfort.
What Happens in Crystal Meth Rehab
If you are contemplating treatment for a crystal meth addiction, remember that every addict’s experience of treatment, rehab and recovery is different. While most rehabs generally follow similar processes you should make sure that you get a full understanding of the specifics of the treatment you are likely to receive any facility you may choose, in order to be comfortable that you know what to expect and will not face any uncomfortable surprises along the way. With that in mind, however, it is possible to draw up a very rough guide to what you should expect upon entering rehab.
Crystal meth rehab admission process
Rehabs seek to make their admissions processes as simple and hassle-free as they can, to minimise any stress you may feel at what is already, understandably, a very difficult time. Usually, when you get in touch with a treatment organisation they will ask you to give some basic details about your addiction and your condition, before recommending a particular clinic which will be most appropriate for you. Private organisations will request a deposit from you before confirming your place in treatment; once this is received, you can travel to the facility (in some cases, travel will be provided) and embark upon your treatment.
Crystal meth addiction assessment
Upon entering the facility, your first step will be to receive a complete medical assessment carried out by doctors in order to give them an understanding of your physical and mental condition, and the severity of your crystal meth addiction. Following this assessment, your doctors will draw up a comprehensive addiction treatment plan; because this plan will govern your treatment going forward, and because it is based upon the details of your health assessment, it is vital that you are completely candid about every aspect of your crystal meth addiction and any other details. If you are not honest with doctors at this point, your treatment will be much more complicated, and you could place your health in jeopardy.
Acceptance of the problem
One thing doctors will be especially keen to observe is your acceptance of your crystal meth addiction, and a recognition that you need help: unless you genuinely want to stop abusing crystal meth, no addiction treatment is likely to be successful in the long term. Doctors will want to confirm that you are ready for and receptive to treatment, so that they can be confident that you will devote yourself to it correctly. Many addicts struggle to accept their situations as they do not wish to appear weak; however, recognising that you have a problem is a vital first step on the road to recovery.
Medically assisted/controlled detoxification
After your assessment is completed, you will move into the first phase of treatment: detoxification (detox). Detox is a period of complete abstinence during which your system is cleansed of substances of abuse including crystal meth. Without detox, you will still be affected by crystal meth dependence, and will be unable to focus fully on further phases of treatment. During the detox phase, withdrawal symptoms are likely to develop; doctors will be on hand 24/7 throughout the detox process for your safety and comfort, and may be able to provide certain medications which can make crystal meth withdrawal much less uncomfortable and distressing.
Rehabilitation
After detox, and once withdrawal symptoms have either subsided completely or declined to a much more manageable level, you will enter the next phase of your treatment: rehabilitation. This phase has therapy at its core, intended to reveal and tackle the root causes of your crystal meth abuse and addiction, and to give you the coping mechanisms which will facilitate your recovery following the completion of treatment. Along with attending regular therapy sessions, during rehabilitation you will enjoy a healthy life based on tailored dietary and fitness plans as well as having access to numerous other facilities depending on the particular clinic you are attending.
Call our admissions line 24 hours a day to get help.
Recovery
Following treatment, you will have achieved abstinence and will have been imbued with many key skills which you can use once you leave the clinic to resist relapse and build a better life. Nevertheless, you must remember that recovery is not achieved simply by leaving rehab: rather, recovery is a constant process which will require you to navigate through countless temptations and other pitfalls, and to stay diligent and dedicated to abstinence and a healthy life. In order to make recovery easier, good treatment facilities typically offer up to a year’s free aftercare as part of a holistic treatment programme.
What is an Inpatient Rehab Programme?
When most people think of “rehab”, they typically think of inpatient – or residential – rehabilitation, in which addicts stay (usually for between one and three months) on-site in a treatment facility. Residential rehab centres are confidential, peaceful, safe and substance-free environments perfectly conducive to recovery and introspection, in which clients will benefit from the constant presence of highly trained doctors and other medical professionals, as well as from the support, companionship and advice given by other addicts in treatment, who understand the highs and lows of addiction and the many challenges it can create.
What is Outpatient Rehab?
For some people, taking time out away from important responsibilities such as work or family is simply unthinkable, making residential rehab and impossible option. If you feel this may apply to you, but nevertheless urgently need help to overcome your crystal meth addiction, you may wish to investigate outpatient options. In outpatient addiction treatment, some appointments are carried out on site, but you effect other elements of the addiction treatment plan independently. While outpatient rehab options do have their benefits, however, they can be problematic because they do not take addicts entirely away from their daily environments in which they have succumbed to crystal meth abuse and addiction.
Day programmes
Certain rehabs provide day programmes, in which treatment is given during the daytime (for anywhere between one and seven days a week) while addicts go back home or to other accommodation at night. Day programmes are often especially suitable for addicts living close to the clinic, and who can therefore travel to and from it for treatment without difficulty; for those with strong support networks able to give them the necessary assistance whilst away from the clinic; for addicts who have completed an inpatient treatment programme but feel they need ongoing support; and for anyone who needs treatment but has firm obligations back home which will make staying overnight challenging (for example, the presence of a young baby). Day programmes are usually considered inappropriate for addicts who do not have support networks in place; who live a long way from the clinic; or who struggle with co-occurring physical or mental health disorders.
Intensive outpatient programmes
The need to provide various flexible treatment formats to reflect the different demands of modern life has seen the emergence of intensive outpatient programmes. Many outpatient programmes typically only involve a small number of sessions per week, but intensive outpatient care usually requires clients to attend four, five or even more sessions weekly, with sessions lasting longer than those typically provided in more traditional outpatient formats. Addicts are able to attend their facility for appointments including therapy, health checkups, medication prescription and other components of a treatment plan, but for the remainder of the week can lead comparatively normal lives, attending work (as long as that attendance is structured around the requirements of treatment). Because such long periods away from the clinic provide opportunities for relapse, participants in intensive outpatient treatment are normally obliged to undergo frequent drug screening to ensure compliance with their treatment plans.
Ongoing care
The initial phases of an aftercare plan may involve comparatively frequent and regular appointments, though as time passes and you become more comfortable with and confident of your abstinence it is likely that such frequency will decline. However, some rehabs also make provision in aftercare plans for emergency appointments, if you feel overwhelmed during your recovery and require urgent help.
How is Medication Used to Treat Addiction?
Although addiction is an increasingly well understood phenomenon, at this time there is no pharmaceutical cure for the condition. Addiction treatment is based upon detox and therapy, with the latter designed to help you remediate problematic thoughts and behaviours and to enable you to live contentedly without substance abuse. Nevertheless, medication does play a number of important roles in treating addiction. Some medicines are used to alleviate cravings, help reduce dosages, act as safe and legal substitutes for certain drugs, or to disincentivise substance abuse, while others are provided to alleviate withdrawal symptoms; meanwhile, medication can also be provided to reduce any danger to health during the course of treatment.
Medications used in addiction treatment & rehab
Numerous medications are used to treat addiction; however it is important to recognise that not every medicine is applicable in every case (some drugs are only relevant for certain types of addiction) and that some medicines interact dangerously with other substances including substances of abuse; moreover, people suffering from particular co-occurring disorders may not be able to take certain medicines safely. Because of this, it is absolutely vital that you never attempt to self-medicate, as doing so could put your life in danger; only ever take medicine which has been prescribed by a doctor.
The role medication will play during your particular crystal meth addiction treatment will depend upon your initial assessment and how you respond to treatment; you should not go into an addiction treatment programme expecting pharmaceutical treatment, as it may simply not be appropriate for your particular situation and your condition.
- Naltrexone (Vivitrol)
- Buprenorphine (Buprenex)
- Methadone
- Disulfiram (Antabuse)
- Acamprosate (Campral)
- Paroxetine (Paxil)
- Modafinil (Provigil)
- Desipramine (Norpramin)
- Mirtazapine (Remeron)
- Bupropion (Buproban)
- Gabapentin (Fanatrex)
- Vigabatrin (Sabril)
- Baclofen (Kemstro)
- Topiramate (Topamax)
Call our admissions line 24 hours a day to get help.
Psychotherapy for Crystal Meth Addiction Treatment
Therapy is the foundation of addiction treatment; if detox and withdrawal (potentially medically assisted) can be said to treat the body, therapy treats the mind, enabling clients to explore and remediate the troubling thinking and behaviour which have contributed to the development of addiction, and allowing them to create healthier perspectives which they can take with them into recovery, as well as providing them with various defence mechanisms against relapse. Body and mind need to be treated simultaneously, as only treating one element will not remove the pressures caused by the other, making relapse significantly more likely even after a protracted period of abstinence.
Coping-focused psychotherapy
In psychotherapy, “coping“ means investing conscious effort into the resolution of personal and interpersonal problems, in order to minimise, overcome or tolerate stress and conflict. Coping-focused psychotherapy sees therapists working with clients to develop coping mechanisms to overcome personal challenges (in addiction treatment, of course, this usually means challenges relating to the desire or compulsion to engage in substance abuse). As individuals mature, they usually develop nonproblematic psychological coping mechanisms (commonly called coping strategies); however, certain people end up adopting substance abuse as one coping strategy which has obvious negative ramifications. Two of the most common forms of coping-focused psychotherapy found in the treatment of addiction are cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT); most mainstream rehabs will provide at least one, if not both, of these therapy methodologies.
Social skills/interpersonal/growth psychotherapy
Good social skills are hugely important in almost every aspect of life; unfortunately, many addicts possess (or believe they possess) comparatively poor interpersonal skills, which can be very challenging, especially when it comes to the development of important relationships such as romantic ones. The challenges caused by poor social skills frequently drive people into various forms of self-destructive behaviour which can include substance abuse, which in turn frequently leads to addiction. Addiction itself is also a cause of significant social challenges as addicts grow distant from loved ones and friends and become increasingly isolated. Interpersonal, or growth, psychotherapy aims at improving and developing social skills to enable clients to build and enjoy more positive and more fulfilling relationships – and potentially to improve their professional and commercial value following treatment. Improve communication skills also typically make treatment much easier, enabling clients to articulate their feelings more fluently which in turn makes therapy much more effective.
Exploratory psychotherapy
Exploratory psychotherapy – otherwise called psychodynamic psychotherapy – investigates the associations between what has occurred before and the addict’s conduct in the present, altogether better to comprehend where the addict’s problematic points of view and practices have originated. Such investigation may include the examination of past traumas which might have contributed to the client’s substance misuse and the advancement of addiction, and this can be very difficult and distressing for some clients for whom the damage caused by such traumas can be profound. Because of this, therapists work extremely carefully with clients to ensure that the exploration of the past is carried out sensitively and thoughtfully. Psychodynamic psychotherapy can help boost self-esteem, mood regulation and self-awareness, and can be extremely beneficial even long after the conclusion of a treatment programme: many addicts stay in therapy for months or even years after they leave rehab in order to help safeguard their recovery.
Call our admissions line 24 hours a day to get help.
Types of psychotherapy used in crystal meth addiction treatment
Psychotherapy is a huge field (and is of course not only relevant to the treatment of addiction) and a broad array of methodologies and models are provided in addiction treatment, in a number of different settings. Any given rehab can obviously only offer a certain number of such methodologies, and if you are particularly keen on a certain type of therapy, you may wish to seek out clinics offering that type (an addiction specialist can give you advice on which treatment organisations offer more niche therapies). Everybody responds differently to therapy, and not all types of therapy will be right for you; you may need to try out a number of different treatment methodologies before you settle upon one (or more) which you feel is most beneficial; some rehabs are more flexible than others when it comes to trying out different therapies, so make sure you enquire about such flexibility when you do your research into treatment facilities.
- Acceptance and commitment therapy
- Art therapy
- Cognitive behavioural therapy
- Counselling
- Dialectical behavioural therapy
- Experiential therapy
- Family therapy
- Fitness therapy
- Group therapy
- Holistic therapy
- Individual therapy
- Meditation
- Music therapy
- Psychodynamic therapy
The Recovery Process
If you have been suffering from a crystal meth addiction, but have made your way successfully through treatment and have achieved abstinence, it is understandable that you may feel that you have overcome your condition and that your struggle is over. Unfortunately, this can be a dangerous mindset: recovery is a long-term process, and once you leave your rehab and re-enter the outside world you will have many temptations and pitfalls in your way which can derail your recovery. You should see recovery as a lifelong endeavour, requiring significant commitment and dedication even years after you complete a treatment programme in rehab.
Elements of recovery
Although on one hand it is important to view recovery as a holistic process, on the other it can be beneficial to break down recovery into numerous different elements, each of which you can work on independently, thus shoring up the whole. While no two experiences of addiction and treatment are the same, and similarly no two recovery journeys are identical, they can be seen to have these elements in common. Such elements can be the focus of work carried out in therapy during addiction treatment, and therapists can provide you with distinct techniques in order to boost your skills and strengths in every element (indeed, some forms of therapy are designed specifically to address certain of these elements). Because everyone is different, not everyone will be equally strong or weak in any given element and you should not compare yourself to others in treatment; focus on your own progress and how it contributes to your overall happiness.
- Developing hope
- Secure base
- Sense of self
- Supportive relationships
- Empowerment
- Social inclusion
- Coping skills
- Giving meaning
How Long are Crystal Meth Rehab Programmes?
The length of time for which you should stay in treatment for your crystal meth addiction will rely upon various factors, including your physical and mental condition and the seriousness of your addiction, and on the sort of treatment programme you choose to experience. Commonly, a stay in private rehab will last somewhere in the range of 30 and 90 days, although shorter (as short as 7 to 14 days) and, on the other hand, longer treatment plans are given by some rehabs. It might be that you set out on treatment with a certain period in mind, but because of changing conditions over the span of treatment – for instance, if you react particularly well to your treatment, or if it turns out that more gradual treatment is required – you may remain in the facility for less, or more, time than was initially planned.
It is also important to remember that even upon completing a full treatment programme you may wish to receive ongoing support (such as counselling), potentially quite some time after you leave the clinic. You should not see this as a failure, merely that your recovery is an ongoing process.
Call our admissions line 24 hours a day to get help.
What does Crystal Meth Rehab Cost in the UK?
The cost of private crystal meth addiction treatment can range quite significantly from one rehab and organisation to another, and even from one programme to the next within the same rehab. Overall costs will be impacted by the nature of treatment you receive, the duration of your stay, any specialist care you may require, the standard of rehab you attend (executive and luxury rehabs obviously cost substantially more than standard rehabs) and a number of other factors.
As a ballpark figure, standard residential crystal meth addiction treatment in the UK costs somewhere between £4,000 and £15,000 a month; however, pricing varies so substantially between rehabs that you should not contemplate treatment without getting precise figures from any clinics that you are considering attending. When doing research into rehab and treatment, make sure you ask directly for a full list of prices and costings, as well as requesting information about payment plans, paying with health insurance and any other factors you may think relevant.
An addiction specialist can give you information about treatment costs, as well as about how to pay for treatment and if more affordable options are available to you.
Crystal Meth Addiction Recovery and Aftercare
Upon completing treatment and once you have moved into recovery, good rehabs will provide you with up to a year’s free aftercare in order to ensure that you have an optimal foundation for that recovery. When leaving rehab, many people find it difficult to return to the facility for aftercare appointments as they do not wish to be reminded of the difficulties they have faced and overcome; however, this is a mistake, as recovery can be very difficult and you should make the most of any opportunity for support and ongoing help that you are given during this time, in order to give you the greatest possible chance of permanent abstinence and the healthy life that you want and have worked so hard for.
Recovery and community
If you have access to a strong support group – especially including loved ones and friends – your recovery will be vastly easier. However, you can also find support outside those close to you; sadly, addiction is a very common affliction in the UK and there are now many thousands of recovering addicts across the country representing a very important community which can help you during your own recovery. Becoming part of this community is not simply beneficial because of the support it can give you, however; helping others can also be very therapeutic, and can enable you to continue to work through many of the issues which were so problematic to you prior to your treatment.
Support groups
There are now many support groups providing help, advice and companionship to recovering addicts across the UK. The most prominent of those which are relevant to crystal meth addicts is Narcotics Anonymous (NA), which hosts meetings around the country, almost always on a weekly basis; however, NA is not the only organisation active in this field and you should speak with an addiction specialist to find out about support groups working in your area. Attendance at support group meetings is typically free, and they usually welcome anybody who is in recovery from substance abuse and addiction and who is committed to continued abstinence. Attendees at support group meetings come from all walks of life, united simply by their experience of addiction and the desire to stay free of substance abuse and to help others who are going through such difficult times.
12-Step
NA is founded on the 12-step methodology initially developed by the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Not every addict is comfortable with a 12-step programme, because certain steps may not be compatible with their personal beliefs; however such programmes have benefited countless people around the world. To find out more about 12-step programmes, speak with an addiction specialist.
Ready to Start Rehab?
If you suffer from a crystal meth addiction and are unable to overcome it, it could kill you – and is highly likely to damage or even destroy everything valuable in your life. It is vital that you get help for your condition – and the sooner you are able to ask for help, the sooner you are able to receive it. If you can acknowledge your condition, and want to beat it, call your GP and/or an addiction specialist immediately.
Take control of your life – get started on the road to recovery
If you are a crystal addict you may feel that you have no control over your life and that you are a slave to the drug. However, do not despair: with the right help you can beat your addiction and get back to a life of happiness and success. In order to get that help, all you need to do is pick up the phone to speak with your GP and/or an addiction specialist about your situation and to find out about the treatment options you may be able to access. Make that call today and take your first step on the path back to the life you want and deserve.
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