Methamphetamine is a drug that affects the Central Nervous System of the body, very similar in molecular structure to amphetamine – the substance commonly found in drugs like cocaine and Adderall. Methamphetamine has one of the highest propensities towards being abused of all drugs, and for that reason it is hardly ever used as a legal prescribed medication.
Methamphetamine, usually referred to as “Meth” is made in labs across the country and world, there are often accidents reported in papers in such towns as Colorado Springs, Colorado, due to meth lab blow-ups and fires. In addiction, working in these meth labs, which is something many people feel they must do in order to feed their own intense addictions, is very dangerous and can be detrimental to the health of the workers.
Meth can be snorted, smoked, injected or swallowed – making it one of the easier drugs to hide from others. The substance itself is a white, odorless crystal or powder that readily dissolves in water or alcohol.
Like heroin and other serious illegal drugs, methamphetamines act on the brain, increasing the release and blocking the reuptake of the neurotransmitter dopamine, leading to a confused and addled brain responding to the wrong things and not responding to the correct ones. Dopamine in the neurotransmitter indicated for reward, motivation, pleasure and motor functioning – messing with this has obvious, serious problems, most of which are reversible but some of which are not if the addiction is not treated and caught within a decent amount of time. Chronic and prolonged use of Meth also has been recently shown to cause serious damage in the area of emotions and memory, severally impairing cognitive and emotional skills of the addict.
“Crystal” Meth is the most commonly used slang term for Methamphetamines. Crystal is highly addictive and the withdrawal is physically and emotional devastating, leading people addicted to the substance to seek it out before their bodies begin feeling the detox from the drug.
Crystal Meth, also known as “Ice,” also has physical ramifications from long-term use. Physical signs and side effects of meth abuse include:
Short-term side effects, and many of the reasons people use meth, include:
Long term emotional, mental and psychological effects can be not only damaging, but also deadly. For this reason, it is imperative to get professional help. With chronic use, addicts will experience in addiction to the high they are chasing, violent behavior, anxiety, insomnia and psychotic effects such as:
No matter what stage of addiction or dependence, methamphetamine abuse is dangerous, and Center for Discovery can help you or your loved one recover. It is nearly impossible to kick on your own, professional help is paramount. Let Center for Discovery help you on your road to recovery, and be a part of your journey to a new, better life.
In the following pages you will read information pertaining to our substance abuse program, treatment components, why we treat adolescent only and in a residential setting, substance abuse red flags, levels of care, and the Discovery Substance Abuse Program admissions process. You are also welcome to take a virtual picture tour of our facilities and browse through our online brochure. It is our hope that this information will help you to obtain a better understanding of our adolescent substance abuse residential program, as well as become more informed on eating disorders, including medical complications. There is also a testimonial section from past residents and their families. If you have further inquiries we are available to you 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week. Please contact our confidential Intake staff at or you may fill out the online form on the Contact Us page.