The process of overcoming any addiction, including addiction to methamphetamine, can be very tiring both physically and emotionally. This requires a serious commitment, and you may need a lot of support as you go through the process. Overcoming methamphetamine addiction takes a long time and can result in unwanted withdrawal symptoms (symptoms that appear when stopping the use of drugs). However, the positive results you will get are definitely worth the hard work you put in.
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Part 1 of 4: Having a Commitment to the Decisions Made
Step 1. Write down all the reasons that made you want to quit
Remember that a person can never stop using drugs if he is not ready to do so. You have to make the decision. A great way to have a clear picture of the benefits of living without drugs is to make a list of the benefits of having a quiet life. Some things to consider include:
- The use of methamphetamine often affects your quality of life. Your finances are ruined and your relationships can be damaged due to the erratic behavior caused by addiction. In addition, you always live with the risk of being caught by the police when using drugs. All of this will change when you stop using methamphetamine.
- Long-term use of methamphetamine can lead to negative health consequences, such as extreme weight loss, severe dental problems including tooth loss, and sores on the skin from excessive scratching. The use of methamphetamine can also increase the risk of transmitting infectious diseases such as hepatitis and HIV. Living a healthy life for you and your family can often be a good reason to quit.
Step 2. Delete all contacts that have a negative influence on you
Make up your mind to remove everyone who has introduced you to drugs. These include old friends you've enjoyed drugs with in the past, as well as their drug suppliers. You should get rid of all the means you could potentially use to contact them. This includes phone numbers stored on your phone, phone numbers you write down on paper you keep in your wallet or at home, and even contacts on social media. That way, you won't be able to access people who are a negative influence on you.
- If negative influences keep contacting you, maybe you can change your phone number and temporarily deactivate your social media accounts.
- No less important is not to go to an old environment that can trigger your desire to use meth. In order not to run into old friends, many people take alternative routes to get to work.
Step 3. Keep yourself busy
Busyness can also help you to avoid negative influences. Try to find work, and if possible find additional work. Experiment with working longer hours or starting a new hobby. Keep yourself busy so there will be less distraction from negative people and places.
Step 4. Call a friend and ask him or her to be a sobriety partner (someone who supports you not to take drugs)
It's very important to have a strong support system when you're struggling to stop using meth. At a minimum you should have one person you can call at any time and ready to help you through difficult times.
- Keep your peace partner's phone number in your wallet, on your phone, or in any place that's easily accessible at all times.
- It's great to know someone who's willing to be a sobriety partner, but if you can get in touch with a few people all the time, that's ideal. Remember that the more support networks you have, the more successful you will be at quitting.
Part 2 of 4: Getting Treatment
Step 1. Contact your insurance company to check what facilities and services are covered by the company
You may want to involve a friend or family member in this process so you can get all the necessary details. Making decisions based on valid information is important.
- Check your insurance plan brochure or list of services covered by insurance (schedule of benefits) before contacting the insurance company. This written insurance agreement will also show details of what your insurance plan will cover.
- If you don't have insurance, you may have a little trouble getting treatment. However, you should find out how you will pay for the treatment. There are various social service programs that you may be able to take advantage of. In addition, your family and friends may be willing to lend you financial assistance.
Step 2. Decide whether you want to receive outpatient or inpatient treatment
In general, the difference between these two treatment options is in the level of intensity. Although these two options can provide an effective treatment program, inpatient services tend to be more intensive. The inpatient program requires you to live in a facility with other patients recovering from addiction and to participate in daily meetings and support groups. Outpatient programs are usually in the form of counseling and monitoring but are not as intense as in inpatient facilities.
- Take your addiction level into account when deciding what type of treatment you want to take. If the level of addiction is severe and you are concerned that home remedies could frustrate your efforts to undergo the program, then the best option is to take an inpatient program.
- If the addiction is not too severe and you have other responsibilities such as having to work or taking care of the children, you may want to choose an outpatient program.
- When making your decision, you may want to seek the opinion of family members and others who care about your condition. Maybe they can view your situation more objectively.
- If you opt for inpatient treatment, try to visit the facility beforehand so that you are comfortable with the place you will be staying for the next few weeks or months.
Step 3. Prepare for treatment
Before starting treatment, tidy up everything. If you are going to be hospitalized, talk to your boss that you will be taking time off from work so that the job is still available when you return. Even if you are on outpatient treatment, you may still need to take a few days off, especially at the start of treatment as you begin the process of living a drug-free life. That way, your job will not be in jeopardy. Also, if you are a mother (or father) with young children, you will need to determine who will take care of your child and write a list of necessities for the person who will take care of your child.
- Treatment can take up to 90 days. Sometimes it can even take longer, depending on the severity of the addiction and your particular needs. However, you have to be committed to going through the process and this includes being well prepared to be successful. Keep in mind that when you complete this program, you must have all the necessary tools to keep you drug-free.
- Maybe you don't want to take too long from work if you are on outpatient treatment. Work is a great way to keep yourself busy and distract yourself.
Step 4. Calm your mind
When you finally make the decision to take medication, irrational fears and old habits of thinking will try to shake your decision. One great way to get rid of that fear is to imagine. Try to imagine a large house with many rooms. You don't know what's in the room in front of you, but imagine that you took the first step with confidence. As you use this strategy, remind yourself that whatever is in the mansion is good for you and rest assured that you have the courage needed to explore the entire house. When fear arises, gently remind yourself that by taking medication, you will be doing what is best for yourself.
Step 5. Ask for support
Overcoming an addiction to meth can be a very difficult process, so you need to have a solid support system in place. Don't try to go through this process alone. Some of the things you can do to get the support you need include:
- Rely on family members and close friends. If you're reluctant to ask for support again because you've let them down in the past, try family counseling. Having the support of those closest to you when going through this process is very important.
- Make new friends. You can find healthy people engaged in constructive activities in places such as religious activities, community groups, volunteer activities, classes, schools, or events held in your neighborhood.
- If you live alone or in a location that has access to methamphetamine or other types of drugs, move to a drug-free environment while you are on outpatient treatment. Moving from the environment after undergoing inpatient treatment is also a good option. In a healthier environment, you will get more support.
Step 6. Go on with your treatment
This may seem easier than it really is, especially if you are on an outpatient program. When withdrawal symptoms appear early on in treatment, you may want to avoid the discomfort. Likewise, when you start to feel better towards the end of treatment, you may feel that you don't need medication anymore. During this time, you may be tempted to stop the next session or discontinue inpatient treatment. However, this is not a wise decision and could be detrimental to your success.
- Inpatient treatment is very structured and can sometimes make you uncomfortable when attending treatment sessions. In addition, other people on medication may be very vocal or have a personality that doesn't match yours. When frustrations like this arise, keep reminding yourself that this is only temporary and the end result will be worth the effort.
- Rely on your support system during times like this to keep you motivated. When you have the thought "Today's absent ah", immediately contact your partner or other people who support you.
Step 7. Participate in treatment
Do not only attend every meeting, but you must also participate fully in the treatment offered. Engage in dialogue, complete tasks, and try your best to get the best results in each session. There are various types of treatment options available:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps you to identify factors that contribute to drug use and provides steps you can take to overcome them.
- Multidimensional Family Therapy (MFT) is often used in adolescents to help young people and their families overcome patterns of drug abuse and improve all functions within the family unit.
- Provided motivational incentives using behavioral reinforcement to encourage patients not to take drugs.
Step 8. Prepare to experience withdrawal
The first step in treatment is detoxification and the process is done by ridding your body of drugs. Be prepared to experience withdrawal symptoms during the first few days while you are on medication. These symptoms will not feel comfortable but only temporary. Remind yourself that if you make it through the first few days, the symptoms will lessen and you'll feel better.
- The most difficult are the times when you are on cold turkey (to stop taking drugs completely) and the painful days when you are on medication. Usually, drugs are used to help relieve withdrawal symptoms. So while you may experience some physical detoxification and withdrawal symptoms, the symptoms won't be too extreme.
- Drugs such as methadone, buprenorphine and naltrexone are often used to relieve meth cravings so you can avoid looking for drugs and focus on medication.
- Some of the withdrawal symptoms you may experience include diarrhea, difficulty breathing, paranoia, body shaking, mood swings, sweating, heart palpitations, nausea, and vomiting. Again, remember that these symptoms will be reduced by taking medication.
- Methamphetamine is an amphetamine which increases the production of dopamine. Dopamine signals the brain to keep "feeling good," and when a person stops using it, dopamine levels drop drastically. As a result, you may develop anhedonia, or your body's inability to experience pleasure. This temporary condition will usually last for several weeks as the body adjusts to the dopamine levels. Unfortunately, many people have frequent relapses during this time because they want to feel good again. Therefore, it is important for you to recognize when this condition occurs so that you do not stop treatment.
- At first, the physical and emotional withdrawal symptoms can be so overwhelming that you want to stop medication. Stopping medication is not a good idea and can be detrimental to your success.
Step 9. Congratulate yourself
Take time to work on your medication. Don't forget to verbally congratulate yourself for having the courage to be a better person for yourself and your family.
Part 3 of 4: Keeping Calm
Step 1. Spend some time at the recovery house
When undergoing an inpatient program, you may need to spend some time in a recovery home first. This house is often referred to as a house of tranquility or a halfway house. This home can help connect the gap between inpatient facilities and the outside world. You can learn more about how to prevent relapse in this home before returning to your old neighborhood.
These programs are usually privately owned and can be expensive. Again, maybe you should check first to see if your insurance plan covers this kind of program. Another option is to seek financial assistance from a social service, religious organization or local government, or pay with your own money
Step 2. Look for local support groups on the internet
This should be made a priority and should be done as soon as your treatment is finished. In fact, it may be helpful to have a support group in place before the treatment is over so you can join right away without any delays. So that you don't relapse, having a support group is very important. Check to see if there are ex-narcotics groups in your area that you can join. You can also get referrals from friends, doctors, or social service organizations.
- Spending time with people who are also recovering in a supportive environment can help you get back into your normal routine.
- It is very important that you attend support group events even if you are still in the recovery home. This will familiarize you with the situation when you return home.
- Once you feel better, several other things will start competing for your attention back. During this transition period, you may think that it is okay not to attend the meeting. Not attending support group meetings is not a good thing and could be detrimental to your success.
Step 3. Avoid things that can be triggers
While you are recovering, avoid friends and places you used to use methamphetamine. These people and environments are still likely to be powerful triggers for you. Therefore, avoid both in the first few years of your recovery. Some other ways that can be used to avoid triggers that can make you relapse include:
- Don't visit bars and clubs. Even if you don't have a problem with alcoholism, it can lower your consciousness and impair your ability to make decisions. Plus, you're more likely to join up with old friends there or find methamphetamine again.
- Opium and other prescription drugs can trigger relapses but are not effective enough to relieve pain. Therefore, you should be honest with your doctor when asking for medical help. Don't be ashamed of your resume and focus on avoiding relapses. If you need dental treatment or medical help, find a medical professional who can give you alternative medicines or just prescribe a small amount of medicine to make you comfortable but not trigger a relapse.
Step 4. Practice to reduce stress
While stress is unavoidable, it can trigger your cravings. Therefore, you should know how to manage stress so that it is not excessive and makes you relapse. Some things you can do to reduce stress include:
- Exercise: Running, walking, cycling, swimming, gardening, and even cleaning the house can come in handy.
- Writing: Take about 10 to 15 minutes a day to write down the stressful events of the day. It may be useful if after you write the event, you rewrite the final result to your liking. Write in the present tense (present tense in English), as if the story was going that way. That way, you'll end your writing practice on a positive note.
- Talking: Whether you want to cry, laugh, or just have a little chat, find a friend, counselor or religious leader who is willing to stand by and have a chat with you.
- Do something you enjoy: Find an activity you really enjoy and make time to do it. This can be any activity that is healthy and you can enjoy, such as gardening, playing with the kids, going for a walk, eating out, baking your own cake, or just sitting outside in the fresh air for a few moments.. If this is a healthy activity and you enjoy it, then do it.
- Doing meditation: Sit in a quiet place and breathe deeply through your nose and let the air enter your stomach. Then exhale through your mouth so that the air escapes from your stomach and mouth. As you do so, focus on the breath you are taking. This is a very good meditation process for stress relief.
- Yoga: Sign up for a yoga class or buy some yoga DVDs to help you relieve stress.
Step 5. Make plans to prevent relapse
Sometimes cravings for drugs come on hard and heavy, no matter what you do. Therefore, you must know exactly what to do if this happens. Here are some good techniques for overcoming drug cravings that should be part of your design:
- Have a productive mind when you experience a craving for drugs. Tell yourself that it's just desire. Desire like this is almost certain to happen, the desire will be more easily overcome over time. Think like this: "I have to overcome these cravings, one by one so that I don't go back to taking drugs."
- Make a list of activities that you enjoy and can help distract you when cravings arise. Some examples of activities that can distract you include reading, watching a movie at the cinema, writing a diary, watching a movie at home, or eating out.
- Imagine that you are a surfer who has to ride the waves until your passion disappears. Look at yourself as you stay on top of a rising wave, then you're back on a white, bubbly, not-so-strong wave. This technique is called "urge surfing".
- Write down all the advantages and consequences of using methamphetamine on a card that you can carry with you at all times. When your desire arises, take out the card to remind yourself that you won't be able to feel better if you use it again.
- Get in touch with a partner, supportive friend, or family member so you can talk about a passion that's rising within you.
Step 6. Set a meaningful goal
Goals are often an excellent tool for preventing drug use. If you focus on achieving the goals you have set, you are less likely to return to using methamphetamine. It doesn't matter what goal you set. You can set goals that are family-focused, career-focused, or even personal goals like completing a marathon or writing your first book. Make sure the destination you choose is important to you.
Step 7. Seek help immediately if you have a relapse
Contact your sobriety partner, therapist, or religious leader. You can also attend a meeting, or go to the doctor as soon as possible. The goal is to get back on track and avoid danger as quickly as possible.
Relapse is common in the recovery process. Don't let it make you give up. Don't see the incident as a failure, but use it as an opportunity to learn. Once you've calmed down, examine what triggered your relapse and find out what you can do in the future when the same situation reappears
Part 4 of 4: Becoming a Role Model
Step 1. Make a list of places you would like to volunteer to
After you've been recovering for some time, you can get involved in educating the community or helping others through the recovery process. In fact, many people find volunteering an important part of their recovery process. Becoming a mentor or role model is a great way to help others with addictions. It can also help you to maintain your composure and improve your self-confidence. Volunteers also benefit because they can reduce levels of depression and increase feelings of satisfaction with life and well-being.
- When compiling your list, consider the types of people you want to work with. Whatever your preferences, make sure you really know about them before you agree to volunteer.
- A number of things to consider when choosing where you want to volunteer to volunteer include the gender and age of the participants. While some may prefer educating teenagers, others may prefer to provide support for a particular gender.
Step 2. Research the requirements
After making a list of potential places to volunteer, it's time to examine the requirements for each organization. Some programs have stricter guidelines than others, especially if you want to mentor teens. If you meet the requirements to volunteer, write the organization on your list. If it doesn't meet the requirements, cross out the organization and move on to the next list.
Make sure the opportunity to volunteer is right for you. For example, if you only want to volunteer once a month, make sure the organization you want to join doesn't offer weekly contracts
Step 3. Contact the contact person for the program
Sometimes organizations already have a formal volunteer program and you may just need to fill out an application and wait to be contacted. Next time, especially when you want to chat with some students in the school environment, you may want to contact the head of the organization to see if you can volunteer at the school.
Contact information can usually be found on the website. You can call the contact person or email them
Step 4. Perform your duties as a volunteer
After setting yourself up as a mentor, you may begin to experience anxiety and fear. Anxiety is a normal reaction when faced with stressful events. Therefore, it's okay if you feel a little nervous before embarking on something new. However, try to stay motivated by reminding yourself that volunteering will help others to do things that can make their lives better. Here are some things that can help you reduce your nervousness:
- Get an adequate night's rest before you volunteer. Lack of sleep can increase anxiety levels, so sleep at a normal time.
- Try not to brood or overthink about your next volunteer assignment. Concentrate on preparing for your event and then spend the remaining time doing other healthy activities.
- Face your fear. Try starting the activity that causes the least amount of anxiety. Keep doing these activities until your anxiety is gone. Try doing an activity that is easy but makes you a little uncomfortable, such as filling a bowl with soup at a soup kitchen. Once you are comfortable with the activity, move on to another volunteer assignment.
Tips
- There is no definite method that works well for everyone. The treatment you take should suit you, your specific addiction triggers, and the specific situation that only you have.
- There are two stages of withdrawal. The first stage is the acute stage when you experience almost all the physical symptoms. This stage will last for several days. The second stage is the post-acute stage which contains emotional symptoms. This stage can last for several weeks.
- If you're struggling with your meth addiction, you're more likely to be struggling with other difficulties as well. This could include health complications (depression, HIV, bipolar disorder, etc.), work-related problems, legal issues, family problems, or other social issues. These problems must be treated with concurrent drug therapy.
- Don't isolate yourself while you're trying to get over your addiction. It's important that you spend time with supportive people as you work to stop drug use.
- Keep in touch with your sobriety partner even after the treatment is over. If you start to feel the desire to take drugs, immediately contact your sobriety partner. That desire will come, especially in the early days of recovery. However, the sooner you get support, the less likely you are to relapse.
- If possible, don't carry a debit card or cash. Keep your money in the bank and ask your family or friends not to give you emergency money. When you have to take complicated steps to get cash when the desire to do drugs arises (such as having to go to the bank or ask someone else for money), you will think about it again and make better decisions.
- Make sure you take precautions during the holiday season, during transitions, or especially during stressful times. Times like these are times that are prone to relapse. Make sure you are surrounded by people who support you during times like this.
- Many people feel that having a pet can help maintain a meaningful, drug-free life.
- Make sure you always take care of your health, as well as exercise and have regular medical check-ups.
Warning
- Medications can help you to suppress withdrawal symptoms while undergoing detoxification. However, this is not due to the treatment itself. This is only the first step in the treatment process. In fact, many people who experience medical-assisted withdrawal but do not receive further treatment often return to use and engage in the same behaviors as those who have never received medical-assisted detoxification. Therefore, you should continue the treatment after the detoxification process is complete.
- If you're not careful, you can relapse. In order not to relapse, you must know the warning signs. Some of these warning signs include: not attending meetings, hanging out with old friends who still use methamphetamine, using other types of drugs, or when you think it's okay to do it "just this once." Seek support immediately if you do any of the signs above.
