Crystal meth, or crystal methamphetamine, is a crystalline form of the drug methamphetamine that affects users’ central nervous system. In order to answer the question “what is crystal meth?” individuals should first be aware of what the drug is actually made of. The drug is made using pseudoephedrine, an ingredient in cold medicine along with a combination of dangerous chemicals that include, but are not limited to, battery acid, drain cleaner, fuel, and solutions like anti-freeze. These chemicals are cooked with pseudoephedrine in order to form the crystalline drug. After it is created, meth users consume the drug either by smoking, snorting, injecting, or swallowing the drug. It is said that crystal meth causes the user to feel euphoric, but the drug has much more dangerous side effects like paranoia, hallucinations, memory loss, and violent behavior. On the physical side of side effects, the drug eventually breaks down the user’s body tissue and blood vessels (if the user consumes the drug orally, it can also negatively affect their oral cavity and teeth), potentially leading to even worse consequences like falling into a coma, suffering from a stroke or having a seizure. It is also possible that any of the aforementioned physical consequences could somehow lead to a user’s death.

While crystal meth can be cooked almost anywhere, much of the drug comes from what are called “superlabs” in Mexico. However, anyone with space and the proper ingredients can make meth in makeshift labs, even though the process of making the drug is incredibly dangerous due to the poisonous waste associated with the drug’s creation and the flammable nature of the process and ingredients.

Crystal Meth Withdrawal Symptoms can be rather severe. When an individual initially stop using crystal meth, it initiates what is popularly called a comedown. During a comedown, those who are addicted to the drug can become increasingly anxious, experience heightened senses and paranoia, and become excessively hungry and sleepy. Many people who come down from meth also encounter an incredibly deep depression that is generally considered to be more severe than depression associated with cocaine comedown. Oftentimes, the fear of this type of depression is what motivates users to continue coming back to crystal meth.

As the crystal meth comedown becomes worse, the withdrawal symptoms begin to manifest themselves in ways that are increasingly psychological and physical. Those who have gone through crystal meth withdrawal have reported becoming emotionally unstable in ways that sometimes lead to self-harm. In some instances, this emotional instability gets to the point in which the withdrawal suffers begins to think about suicide. Some users have also experienced the intense need to grind one’s teeth, which can eventually lead to permanent tooth and jaw injuries.

Lastly, one of the most common effects of crystal meth withdrawal is the intense craving of crystal meth. Just like when a user is addicted to any drug, their body begins to crave the drug after a period of abstinence. Oftentimes, this leads the drug user to quickly return back to drug usage. During full withdrawal, these cravings are generally considered to be much worse than during the initial comedown of crystal meth. Luckily, drugs are available that can lessen the intensity of withdrawal symptoms like these.

Generally, prior to officially being admitted into a crystal meth addiction detox program, the drug user first receives a medical exam in order to determine any physical or mental health issues that may negatively affect the detox program. Once this exam is complete, the detox program generally creates a treatment schedule for the patient. This schedule generally includes a combination of different therapies and medications that are intended to make detox easier and safer. In addition, some detox programs also control the types of foods that the patient consumes, as links have been found between healthy eating and detox effectiveness. During this entire process, patients are generally limited regarding the types of belongings that they can bring into the program’s premises, as programs are generally quite aware that some patients may attempt to bring in drugs and other contraband. Depending on the severity of the patient’s addictions, the patient is eventually released from the program and given an aftercare plan. This type of plan generally includes options for the patient to continue their care in 12-step programs and various types of counseling.

In conclusion, if you or someone you know may be addicted to crystal meth, it is within their best interest to seek treatment in a detox center in order to become sober. Long-term crystal meth use is incredibly dangerous and hurts not just the user, but those close to the user as well. The Legacy Healing Detox Center’s crystal meth addiction detox program can help you get off of meth and onto the right track