National Meth Awareness Day: Understanding The Impact
Indeed, too many innocent lives are lost every year to the national meth epidemic. Since then, every year, on November 30, various events and campaigns have been held across the country to raise awareness about methamphetamine abuse and to provide education on its harmful effects. Still, as we continue to learn more about methamphetamine and increase cognition, the hope is that it will contribute to reducing its usage and impact.
Is Meth Really Addictive?
The effects of this drug can lead to severe brain damage, or worse, death. That is why it is important to raise awareness about it to help those struggling to overcome their meth addiction. Methamphetamine, or ‘meth’ for short, is a potent central nervous system stimulant that negatively affects the lives of one out of six young Americans every day.
It has been used medically as a treatment for obesity and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). While still available for medical use in the United States, its use is limited by the severity of its adverse effects and its high potential to propel users toward substance use disorders. While the best way to prevent meth use is to avoid it altogether, there are other effective strategies for addressing substance abuse. For example, Tarzana Treatment Centers (TTC) stands at the forefront of this battle, providing comprehensive services to combat https://yourhealthmagazine.net/article/addiction/sober-houses-rules-that-you-should-follow/ meth addiction.
The aim is to reduce the demand for meth and prevent its devastating consequences on individuals, families, and communities. The main goal of National Meth Awareness Day is to empower individuals, especially young people, to make informed decisions regarding their health and to discourage the use of methamphetamine. Through education and prevention efforts, communities strive to reduce the prevalence of meth addiction and its devastating consequences on individuals and society. On this day, communities across the country organize events, workshops, and discussions to educate the public about the dangers of methamphetamine use.
Treatment for Methamphetamine Addiction
- Schools, colleges, and community centers play a vital role in spreading awareness and providing resources for those affected by meth addiction.
- Moreover, TTC’s treatment approach integrates counseling, behavioral therapies like contingency management, and holistic services to address the physical, mental, and emotional toll of addiction.
- Observed on November 30th, National Meth Awareness Day attempts to educate the public about the effects of methamphetamine abuse on addicts, their families, and ultimately, the entire community.
- Standard treatments include behavioral therapies, medication-assisted treatment, counseling, and support groups.
- This substance is incredibly potent and poses significant health risks to those who use it.
- Her core belief is that love is more powerful than the wounds we have experienced, and, in fact, can cause us to become our strongest at those places.
It may take the form of a white, odorless powder or bluish white crystals. The theme for National Methamphetamine Awareness Day changes each year to address different aspects of the issue. From prevention to treatment, each theme focuses on a particular area of concern surrounding methamphetamine abuse.
Understanding the Impact of National Methamphetamine Awareness Day
That’s why everyone needs to get involved on this day—regardless of whether they know someone suffering from methamphetamine addiction or not. Long-term use of meth can lead to permanent brain damage, high blood pressure, severe dental problems, liver and kidney damage, and insomnia. Prior to his current role as Chief Community Recovery Officer, Randal served eight years as Assistant Commissioner with the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services. In 2008, he was recognized by the Praed Foundation as a national “Systems Champion” for implementing a statewide children’s assessment for DCS.
Call Gatehouse Treatment Center Today for Meth Addiction Treatment
He is a certified practitioner of DreamTending and a qualified clinical supervisor. Randal Lea, our Chief Community Recovery Officer is a licensed addictions counselor with 30 years of clinical and administrative experience. Cinde Stewart Freeman is Cumberland Heights’ Chief Clinical Officer and has been with Cumberland Heights for 30 years. During her tenure, Cinde has served in nursing, clinical management, and administrative roles. According to a national survey conducted in 2017, approximately 1.6 million Americans reported using meth in the past year.
People can also learn more about meth addiction or spread the word about this holiday using the hashtag #NationalMethAwarenessDay on their social media for the day. These effects are what make this drug so addictive, however, overuse of meth can lead to seizures, psychosis, and violent behavior. Parent categories of methamphetamine were discovered by German scientists in the late 1880s but the drug itself was not synthesized until 1893, by Japanese chemist Nagai Nagayoshi. It began being mass-produced and marketed under different brands in the mid-1900s. One of those brands was Pervitin which was given to soldiers in World War II to increase alertness until its usage was cut down to doctors’ prescriptions only by 1941. Methamphetamine – often shortened to “meth” or nicknamed ice, blue or crystal – is a highly addictive stimulant which acts on the central nervous system.
Over the years, the focus of meth awareness campaigns expanded beyond informing the public about the dangers of methamphetamine use. It began encompassing broader education on addiction, prevention, treatment options, and community resources. This shift aimed to promote empathy and support for individuals struggling with addiction, emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach to address substance abuse. In 2006, September 15th was designated as Methamphetamine Awareness Day.
For example, people with almost any substance use disorder will experience financial difficulties, have strained relationships, participate in secretive Sober House Rules: What You Should Know Before Moving In behavior, perform poorly at work or leave paraphernalia around. Look out for small baggies fastened with twist ties, aluminum foil strips, short straws, glass tubes, lighters, spoons or syringes. While your loved one may do their best to hide their drug use, these items may provide evidence that help is needed. Meth is an extremely addictive substance with severe health consequences. Because it presents such significant symptoms, the average person is easily able to identify its abuse. If you believe that someone you love is using methamphetamine, we encourage you to contact an accredited treatment center today.
These individuals recognized the urgent need to address the growing methamphetamine epidemic and came together to promote education, prevention, and access to treatment. As awareness continues to grow, more people are gaining the knowledge they need to make informed decisions and avoid the devastating consequences of methamphetamine addiction. Every year on November 30th, we observe National Methamphetamine Awareness Day, shining a spotlight on the devastating effects of this highly addictive and dangerous drug.
- The effects of meth can take their toll on a person’s outward appearance and overall health.
- Randal received master’s degrees in counseling from Trevecca Nazarene University and in psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute.
- On a broader scope, active addiction to methamphetamine affects the person abusing the substance and those around them, leaving no one untouched.
- It allowed them to stay alert for extended periods, increasing their performance and endurance.
- Methamphetamine is a drug that affects the lives of hundreds of thousands of people each year.
At Mat Care Clinics, we understand the significance of everyone’s contribution toward a brighter future. Consequently, we aim to underline the importance of observing National Methamphetamine Awareness Day. Robin Cox is the Chief Financial Officer at Cumberland Heights, the Southeast’s premier alcohol and drug addiction treatment center. Remember, every action, big or small, makes a difference in the fight against substance abuse. Fortunately, National Meth Awareness Day stands as an opportunity to come together and create a brighter future for individuals and communities devasted by meth. Overcoming meth dependency can be difficult, and professional treatment is often necessary.
Behavioral therapies like CBT (cognitive-behavioral therapy) are especially useful in the treatment of meth addiction. Ideally, a treatment center will combine one-on-one CBT counseling with other modalities, such as group sessions, family education, the 12 Steps and experiential therapies. This observance serves as a call to action, urging everyone to join hands in combating the spread of methamphetamine abuse and supporting individuals on their path to recovery. Methamphetamine belongs to a family of drugs called amphetamines—powerful stimulants that speed up the body’s central nervous system.
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