Crystal Meth

Crystal meth usage has increased as more crystal meth labs have sprung up to meet the increased demand for the drug. Crystal meth, also known has speed, crank, ice and other names can be manufactured locally unlike other similar stimulants such as cocaine. Puente House has treated many people who have become addicted to crystal meth. Successful treatment for crystal meth addiction at Puente House is founded on the principle practice of structured living. The primary purpose of structured living is to re-establish a life without crystal meth by retraining the mind and body to cope with daily living in constructive ways.

Crystal meth is a completely man-made drug that is created by combining various stimulants. Often crystal meth labs will take over-the-counter medications with derivatives of amphetamine and cook the drug with other elements to make a potent concentrated white powder. Crystal meth users can then smoke the powder, snort the powder or dilute the powder in water and inject it. Crystal meth stimulates the brains limbic system and dopamine receptors that cause a long lasting high. The high is different depend on how the drug is ingested. Smoking or injecting the drug causes an initial euphoric rush that snorting delivers to a lesser extent. The triggering of the brains reward system causes this rush. The brain, however, adapts to the influence of the drug immediately so that another "hit" or dose of crystal meth will have a lesser effect than the last. This process is called tolerance and is one of the indicators of addiction.

Tolerance helps explain why crystal meth users will often use the drug for long periods of time. Smoking a "hit" or "slamming" a needle every ½ hour more or less for hours or days one end. The drug removes the desire to sleep or eat as it speeds up the mind and body creating a state of anxiousness and hypersensitivity. Even small doses of crystal meth can cause feelings of paranoia and hallucinations. Users often report that the feel they are being watched by authority figures or see shadows moving nearby. Chronic usage of the drug causes damage to the brain and makes living a normal life exceedingly difficult.

Crystal meth users can find that they need help when they have lost their job or are unable to work. Perhaps loved ones and friends have become frustrated and demand the user seek help. Money problems continue to worsen with no relief in sight and legal difficulties become overwhelming.

Puente House, LA sober living, is equipped to treat crystal meth addiction and its inevitable consequences. We have been established in the recovery community for 10 years and practice strict 12-step principles to establish recovery. Our live-in centers offer a safe and comfortable environment where crystal meth users live with people who understand what living with addiction is like. Our homes are large, accommodating and very affordable compared to rehabilitation centers that usually only offer short-term residency stays. Beyond affordability is the effectiveness that structured living creates by removing influences that allowed for crystal meth use. These negative influences are replaced with positive, constructive new habits that re-establish a life without drugs.

Crystal meth addiction is a progressive behavior that can lead to death. Puente House sober living offers a proven cure for crystal meth addiction and we hope that you will call us today for help.