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Crystal Meth Addiction
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A Growing Problem in the U.S.
The Dangers of Crystal Meth Addiction
Crystal meth is a form of methamphetamine which you probably know by one of its many nicknames: ice, speed, crank, chalk, Tina, glass, etc. Methamphetamines, no matter the form – powder or crystal – are wildly addictive stimulants.
Seeing as how methamphetamine comes in so many forms, the methods of intake run the gamut. It can be smoked, snorted, swallowed and injected and the accompanying high varying in intensity depending on the method.
It acts on the central nervous system and works by flooding the brain with an absolute torrent of dopamine, the naturally occurring “feel good” chemical we all have in our brains. That potent release leads to immense feelings of euphoria and pleasure which act as a reward to reinforce the need to keep taking it once the high wears off.
Because the high produced is so intense and lasts for a long time compared to other drugs, people end up falling into a “binge/crash” pattern of usage where immense pleasure gives way to feelings of depression and severe cravings. It’s a devastating cycle.
It’s worth noting that meth is manmade and needs to be “cooked”, the process of which is incredibly dangerous in its own right. The volatile chemicals that go into making it create a substantial risk for deadly explosions.
Know the risks associated with meth
The Dangers of Crystal Meth
Crystal meth wreaks havoc on the user, there’s no way to soften it and neither the body nor the mind is spared in the wreckage.
As with all drugs and alcohol, as tolerance builds you need to take ever-increasing doses to get the high you’re used to. Naturally, the higher the dose, the more dangerous the usage becomes.
Therein lies the biggest danger with meth, when the dependence slips into addiction. It’s something that happens fairly quickly with this drug and leads to a truly worrisome batch of physical and mental manifestations.
What We Treat at bayshore retreat
Commonly Abused Substances
Explore our drug & alcohol substance abuse treatment services at our state-of-the-art, residential program in Destin, FL.

Alcoholism
Alcohol abuse is on the rise, especially with college students & retirees. Learn more about the signs & symptoms of alcoholism and how Bayshore Retreat can help you get sober for good.

Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs typically used to treat anxiety disorders. Over the last 5 years, benzo abuse has risen significantly. Learn more about benzo addiction & how Bayshore Retreat can help.

Opioids & Heroin
The opioid epidemic has ravaged American citizens for almost 10 years now. Bayshore Retreat is dedicated to making a difference. Learn more about the signs & how we treat opioid addiction.

Crystal Meth
Methamphetamines, aka crystal meth, is a very dangerous drug with harmful effects. Learn more about how Bayshore Retreat can help you overcome crystal meth addiction once and for all.
Knowing What to Look for
Physical Signs of Methamphetamine Addiction
The physical signs of prolonged meth use and addiction are genuinely horrific. The drug can and does obliterate bodies. Catching abuse early, before it turns into full-blown addiction, can save untold amounts of physical trauma.
If you’re worried a family member or friend is going down that path, here’s what to look out for:
- Picking at skin obsessively leading to open sores
- Extreme weight loss due to malnutrition and loss of appetite
- Twitching
- Liver damage
- Heart arrhythmia
- Premature aging
- Blackened and rotting teeth also known as “meth mouth”
Without mincing words, crystal meth breaks the body. The potential consequences are exacerbated further and somehow even worse if injection is how you take it. First of all, there is the danger of passing diseases if you’re sharing needles. More importantly though, meth has a detrimental effect on the immune system which leads to the unrestrained development of opportunistic diseases, worsening the progression of diseases like HIV/AIDS for example.
Signs Someone May Be Abusing Meth
Mental Effects of Crystal Meth Abuse
The physical side signs of meth use are haunting enough as anyone who has seen meth mouth can attest but that’s not all the drug does. The mental effects of abuse can be dramatic as well:
- Anxiety
- Confusion
- Memory Loss
- Paranoia
- Hallucinations
- Delusions
- Sleeping problems i.e. little to no sleep for days, which leads to its own mental and physical issues
Those are some of the “surface” indicators of mental damage but meth works in a far deeper and more insidious way to harm the structures of the mind. Studies found severe structural and functional changes in areas of the brain associated with emotion and memory. Another found that, even after 6 months of abstinence, biochemical markers for nerve damage persisted and that function in other brain regions didn’t recover even after 14 months.
Given the sort of rewiring that occurs, it’s no wonder that meth has considerable behavioral effects as well, which show as:
- Moodiness
- Irritability
- Violent and aggressive outbursts
- Unpredictable behavior
- Borrowing money, stealing, etc. to get money for meth
- Problems at work, school, home
- Ignoring obligations and relationships
- Disregard to personal appearance or general hygiene
If you’re seeing any or experiencing any of the above, it’s time to seek outside help.
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Get the Treatment You deserve
Meth Addiction Treatment in North Florida at Bayshore Retreat
Despite the destruction it causes, rest assured, breaking free from the shackles of the meth is possible and dedicated crystal meth addiction treatment in Destin, FL is the lifeline to pull you out of it. At Bayshore Retreat, our program is founded on a holistic approach. As methamphetamine ravages each part of you, we strive to rebuild those parts into a fully recovered whole.
After the requisite detox, a customized, intensive and focused inpatient treatment plan is created specifically for you. With a vast array of treatment methods and modalities, from cognitive and dialectical behavioral therapy to life skills training, relapse prevention and various alternative therapies, we find the mix that works best for you.
All taking place in a luxurious, waterfront home, completely free of distraction.
We only take 6 clients at a time, the small number amplifying the warm personal feel of the facility while allowing us to give maximum attention to helping you work through addiction. You’re not simply a number at Bayshore Retreat.
It may be overwhelming.
We're Here for You.
Bayshore Retreat works with most major insurance carriers and offers luxury treatment at an affordable rate in order to help you or your loved one in finding their path to recovery. Call us now to take action and find your personal path to recovery from substance abuse.
Leave Crystal Meth in the Past
Recovery Happens at Our North Florida Meth Rehab Program
We understand the mess this drug causes and the long road a full recovery takes which is why crystal meth addiction treatment in Destin, FL doesn’t end once your stay with us does. To ensure an enduring and lasting recovery we make sure to work with you on a comprehensive aftercare plan to keep you going.
This drug can utterly break you, crystal meth drug rehab in North Florida can remake you. Join as at Bayshore Retreat and take your life back.
Contact us today or request a free consultation by submitting your insurance information. Our CEO, Judy Butler, personally will answer your request and help you find the treatment options that best fit your personal needs.




