Meth Addiction and Abuse in Orlando

If you are in an immediate emergency, call 911. If you are looking for more information on substance abuse treatment and it is not a medical emergency, call our 24/7 Meth Helpline at 877-542-1036.

Methamphetamine is a stimulant drug that’s very potent and addictive. It affects the central nervous system, and it has few legal or medical uses in the U.S. Treatment for meth addiction is available at the Orlando Recovery Center.

Meth Abuse in Orlando

Meth addiction is a serious issue impacting communities across the United States. Though less prominent in Florida, in 2018, the Miami field division of the DEA reported that meth availability in the region is “moderate” and increasing. 

The consequences of this can be deadly. In the first half of 2020, meth was found in the systems of nearly 1,000 deceased Floridians. Meth was verified to have caused the deaths of 659 of those individuals. This number is 56% higher than in the previous year. While only eighteen of these deaths occurred in Orlando, the numbers have been on a steep rise since 2015. 

Not only is meth physically and psychologically harmful, but it also contributes the most to violent crime, and Orlando is no different. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office has reported a sharp rise in meth-related arrests, which increased five-fold between 2012 and 2018. 

Understanding Meth Addiction

Meth is highly addictive. When someone smokes or injects meth, they get a nearly instantaneous and very powerful high. This feeling is believed to result from dopamine that floods the brain and creates feelings of pleasure and euphoria. 

Meth use can also lead to cycles of binging. Because the effects of meth are powerful but short-lived, someone might use the drug repeatedly in a relatively short period to maintain the same results. Using meth can lead to a physical dependence. If someone is dependent on meth and they stop using it suddenly, withdrawal symptoms can be severe. Withdrawal symptoms can include depression, extreme craving and psychosis. 

In addition, when meth takes it over and over again, a tolerance will build up, requiring more and more for the same effect. Eventually, a person may lose their capacity to feel pleasure without meth altogether.  

Common Signs of Meth Addiction

Methamphetamine addiction can lead to serious psychological and physical consequences, such as: 

• Aggression or violence
• Anxiety
• Memory loss
• Increased distractibility 
• Paranoia 
• Hallucinations
• Delusions (e.g., bugs crawling under the skin) 
• Skin sores
• Malnutrition 
• Insomnia
• Tooth decay and tooth loss
• Heart disease 
• Increased risk of transmitting infectious diseases including hepatitis and HIV/AIDS

When a person is using meth, they may exhibit: 

• Increased talkativeness
• Decreased appetite 
• A feeling of euphoria 

Additional signs of meth addiction include: 

• Poor hygiene 
• Social withdrawal 
• Problems at school or work 
• Paraphernalia including glass pipes, rolled up dollar bills or tourniquets

Continue reading: Signs, Symptoms & Side Effects of Meth Addiction

Why is Meth Addictive?

Dopamine is a brain chemical that is involved with motivation and reward. Meth causes a dopamine rush in the brain, which creates a strong behavioral pull to repeat taking the drug. Not everyone who uses meth will become addicted, and there are still many unknowns about the complex brain disorder that is addiction. Experts do know, however, that addiction has little to do with willpower or self-discipline. That said, if someone is addicted to meth, they may benefit from professional treatment.

FAQs

• What does meth look like?
  Meth is a white powder or pill with no smell but a strong and bitter taste. It easily dissolves in water and can be smoked, snorted, injected, or orally ingested. Crystal meth is a particular form of meth that’s often pale blue or white and looks like actual crystals or shiny fragments of glass.  
• What is meth made of?
  Meth is made using common ingredients such as pseudoephedrine, which is in many cold medicines. Due to its use in meth-making, there have been limits placed on purchasing medicines containing this ingredient. Along with pseudoephedrine, meth production can involve many other ingredients, some of which are harmful or hazardous chemicals, like fertilizer.

Meth Addiction Treatment in Orlando, Florida

The stigma connected to meth use can get in the way of a person seeking helpful treatment for their meth addiction. Luckily, there are high-quality, caring and supportive treatment options available. When choosing a facility, it’s important to know whether:

• The treatment facility is fully accredited and licensed
• The staff are experienced and have appropriate credentials 
• Treatment can be individualized to support your specific needs
• The approach to recovery is holistic with an aim towards long-term recovery

At Orlando Recovery Center, we offer all of the above and are passionate about supporting you in achieving a healthier and happier future. Treatment programs involve psychotherapy, family counseling, support groups, nutritional support, case management, and fitness and life skills training. 

Medical Detox

As a first step towards recovery, our medical detox program prioritizes safety and comfort with around-the-clock medical supervision as a person’s body rids itself of the meth in its system. 

Inpatient/Residential Treatment

Inpatient treatment involves living onsite at the facility while receiving medical treatment and therapeutic care. This program offers close monitoring, individual and group therapy, recreational therapy and medication management, if necessary. 

Outpatient Treatment 

The outpatient program allows a person to live at home while accessing high-quality treatment during the day. The intensive outpatient program (IOP) is the most structured option for outpatient care and includes daily visits to the center. Outpatient care is generally reserved for those with less severe addictions or those who have already completed their inpatient stay. 

Teletherapy 

You can access supportive and effective online therapy with our user-friendly wellness app. With no travel time and optimal convenience, teletherapy can promote a strong therapeutic alliance — one of the most essential factors in mental health care. 

Aftercare

Aftercare is an essential offering in any treatment facility, and can involve support groups, continued therapy, case management and other recovery resources. A comprehensive aftercare program can significantly impact a person’s success in recovery. 

A life free from meth addiction is possible. Contact us today to begin your healing journey, and we’ll work with you to answer your questions, verify your insurance and start the admissions process.

Resources for Meth Addiction

Methamphetamine is a potent and addictive stimulant drug. If you or a loved one needs help with a meth addiction, treatment is available. To learn about meth addiction treatment options and start the path to long-term recovery, contact Orlando Recovery Center.

Additional resources include: 

• Orange County Drug-Free Coalition
• Treatment Resources from the Orange County Government, Florida
• NAMI of Greater Orlando
• Heart of Florida United Way 2-1-1
• Florida Department of Health

Editor – Abby Doty

Abby Doty graduated from Hamline University in 2021 with a Bachelor's in English and Psychology. She has written and edited creative and literary work as well as academic pieces focused primarily on psychology and mental health. Read more

Medically Reviewed By – Kate Dube, LCSW

Kate Dubé is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and health writer in the San Francisco Bay Area. Read more