Methamphetamine abuse has become a serious problem in the past few years. Due to the immediate and long last euphoric effects, meth is currently one of the most addictive street drugs. This class of drugs is extremely dangerous because they can easily be made with over-the-counter ingredients such as ammonia and lithium batteries, all of which are toxic substances. Additionally, when buying meth off the streets addicts are unable to know the exact potency which can lead to accidental overdose and death.
People begin using methamphetamines for a variety of reasons. Some people may begin using meth to increase energy, boost mood, and increase productivity especially when working jobs that require long hours. Others may just be looking for a way to heal emotional pain, while others are simply curious. No one starts taking meth thinking, “Someday I’ll be a meth addict.” Over time the drug loses its positive effects and the lasting negative effects begin to outweigh any of the temporary good feelings. Yet because of the psychological and physical dependency people continue using despite how badly it is affecting their lives.
Many people are reluctant to seek treatment for this problem due to the associated stigma and the strong psychological addiction. At Abilene we understand this reluctance and the fears associated with giving up something that you have come to rely upon. We will never judge you or your reasons for taking the drug – our only goal is to support you, understand you, and help you in your efforts to free yourself from the substance that has become a serious problem in all areas of your life.
Why Seek Treatment at Abilene?
We know how difficult the decision to seek treatment for your meth addiction can be. Our goal is to help you realize that there is a better life available to you and to provide you with hope for a positive future. Our caring, well-trained staff understands that you may be ambivalent about giving up the drug and will work with you even if you oscillate between the desire to get off the drug and the desire to keep taking it. We will start wherever you are at, providing you with the best possible treatment and constant support in whatever manner you need.
We look to our staff to provide the guidance needed to create the best treatment plan for each individual who walks through our doors. We have an experienced staff that provides compassionate high-quality care focused on the entire family, not just the patient. Often times, individuals who abuse meth become estranged from their family due to their negative behavior or from losing the ability to feel strong emotions, especially positive ones. Thus, they sometimes no longer care whether or not they have relationships with people who were previously important in their lives.
Our staff is committed to seeing our patients get better, and lead positive, enjoyable lives. We are dedicated to providing a full continuum of care for all levels of difficulties, not just during a crisis. Abilene recognizes that giving up something you have come to rely on is extremely difficult and we work hard to provide you with alternate positive experiences to rely on. While we want to help you rid your body of a substance that has impacted your life significantly, we don’t want to do this in a manner that causes you even more suffering.
Program Philosophy and Benefits
The main goal of Abilene Behavioral Health is to reestablish a sense of hope in individuals who have lost the ability to see a bright future ahead of them. We are dedicated to providing every individual who seeks our help with individualized treatment and quality care. Our staff does everything they can to uphold a standard of excellence in the treatment of mental health and addiction problems. We are known for our excellent care, outstanding customer services, and our total commitment to each patient.
Treatment for Methamphetamine Use at Abilene
Methamphetamine addiction can be difficult to treat due to the memories of the positive effects, even if they no longer exist, and the dependence the individual has developed. No one wants to give up something that has an established place in their life. At Abilene we can help you work through your uncertainty to treatment and fears related to giving up something that you have relied on for so long. If you are facing an addiction problem you will most likely be enrolled in our dual diagnosis program that is designed to help individuals who have an addiction problem as well as struggling with a mental illness. This program focuses on each aspect equally. The dual diagnosis program is based upon the 12-step model and strongly encourages individuals to engage in Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous.
Most often, individuals who come to us for treatment for meth abuse first need to go through detox. While we don’t use medications to replace a substance, we may use medication to help treat negative symptoms that can occur during the detox process. It is our intention to make this process as easy as possible for you. However, we also understand that the psychological withdrawal symptoms can be far worse than the physical ones and use many different methods to help you deal with the various facets of this difficult process. We will help you recognize your unique strengths and abilities, showing you how to use them in developing new skills to enable you to re-enter life with a sense of hope and confidence.
Individual therapy – focuses on working directly on your personal issues surrounding your addiction, problems it may have caused you, and determining solutions for how to proceed. Additionally, symptoms of any co-occurring disorders will be addressed. You will learn new coping mechanisms and ways to manage your stresses to prevent a relapse.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy – This type of therapy is aimed at helping you recognize maladaptive thoughts linked to your substance problems, challenge them, and replace them with adaptive thoughts.
Rational Emotive Therapy – With REBT, individuals learn to accept their past behavior and we help validate the reasons behind the addiction while at the same time showing how the needs met by the substance can be met in healthier more adaptive ways. REBT focuses on acceptance, not judgment, while at the same time balancing this with change.
Family Therapy – Often individuals who abuse meth, have become entirely estranged from their friends and families and while still addicted to the drug have lost the ability to care about these losses. When they are free of the drug however, they find they miss these relationships yet don’t know how to re-establish them. We involve family members and significant others in the individual’s treatment to help reform these bonds through education and process each party’s issues.
Group Therapy – We believe that the best way for someone who has been using meth to feel supported and understand the effects their behavior has had on others is through small group therapy, where they are surrounded by individuals at different stages of recovery. They can interact with individuals who have progressed to the point of feeling hopeful about the future. This provides a model for individuals just starting to fight the habit, demonstrating that despite how hard the process is you can get past it and live a drug free life. For those who are still starting out their journey to sobriety they can see that there is hope of reaching that goal even when setbacks occur.
In addition to traditional therapies, we offer a number of alternative therapies at Abilene. These include:
- Yoga
- N.A. and A.A.
- Music therapy
- Recreational programs
- Spiritual counseling
Continuing Care – What Comes Next?
At Abilene it is our commitment to provide complete care across the developmental spectrum. Depending on where you are in your recovery, our evaluation process will help identify the proper level of care for you. We focus on meeting your needs and have a flexible approach to ensure you are able to work through problem areas as they occur. Improvement in your condition may lead to your treatment team deciding that you are ready to transfer to one of our intensive outpatient therapy options. This may be our Partial Hospitalization Program or Intensive Outpatient Therapy program. Each program provides patient services such as medication management, individual sessions, and family sessions. If needed we have lodging for individuals who live far away from Abilene, while they complete their program. Eventually, you will likely be ready to transition to our traditional outpatient clinic, with the final goal of integrating back into your community.
If you or someone you love has a problem with methamphetamine use call us at Abilene for a free consult and evaluation so we can help you determine the best options for your difficulties.