AL Sheriff Calls Crystal Meth a National Epidemic

A small town called Bay Minette in Alabama says that crystal meth is destroying their community. Numerous crimes and drug deals done out in the open in parking lots are common and residents are fed up. They reached out to their local news team to draw attention to the situation, but when the news team checked in with local Sheriff Hoss Mack, he said that law enforcement was well aware of the issue. To Mack, however, it’s a problem that extends far beyond Bay Minette and Baldwin County; he says it’s a problem across the country.

He’s right.

Crystal Meth Dependence

One local drug addiction treatment counselor says that a large portion of the beds at nearby treatment centers are in use by patients who are seeking help for crystal meth addiction. He says: “Once you do it, it’s chasing the high. The only treatment that works is long-term: four to six months up to a year. They’re putting pure poison into their systems. People end up losing their homes, selling their furniture, pawning everything they have, losing relationships.”

Is Crystal Meth Addiction Taking Over Your Life?

Crystal meth is a huge problem for women and a drug of choice for a number of reasons. Some of the most common include:

• Weight loss. Crystal meth is a stimulant drug that boosts the metabolism and decreases appetite. Unfortunately, the weight loss is unhealthy, can lead to malnutrition, and also comes with dehydration and tooth decay.
• Extra energy. Like cocaine, crystal meth is an upper but the “up” feeling lasts for hours instead of minutes. Some stay up for days on the drug. And the longer they stay up, the more paranoid they get and the more voices they hear.
• Extra focus. Many use the drug to complete projects for school or “tweak” on their favorite hobby. This can also mean an intense focus on some inane detail and wasting hours of time essentially accomplishing nothing.
• Party “assistance.” Some say the drug enhances sex, others say it enhances the use of other substances. But it also increases risk of overdose, seizure, heart attack and stroke.

Crystal Meth Cravings

One of the most difficult things to combat in recovery after crystal meth addiction is the unexpected cravings for the drug that crop up six months, nine months, a year or even more after returning home from rehab. It’s important to build a firm foundation in recovery with an excellent drug rehab and then remain actively engaged in treatment for years afterward.

Are you ready to get started on your recovery? Contact us today to learn more about your options in crystal meth addiction treatment here at The Orchid.