Meth abuse and any other substance abuse can cause significant behavioral, psychological and physical changes in your life. Such a transformation is usually hard on the family and friends of those who abused the substances. A study from 2018 shows that 7.3 in every 100 people abuse meth.

However, there are steps you and your family can take to help your loved ones get the help and stability they need. You may need to provide resources, inspiration, and accountability to help your loved one begin their recovery journey.

Signs of Meth Abuse and Addiction

The first step to deal with a loved one abusing methamphetamine is to identify the signs and symptoms of meth abuse. Moreover, you need to learn more about drug addiction before you approach your loved one. You will learn that drug addiction is a chronic disease and not a choice.

The signs of meth abuse and addiction can be categorized into behavioral end physical symptoms. Behavioral signs of meth abuse include:

• Extreme loss of appetite
• Isolation from others 
• Sudden changes in social groups 
• Criminal Behavior such as stealing money for drugs 
• Clumsiness 
• Hyperactivity 
• Forgetting important events 
• Erratic sleep patterns like insomnia 
• Loss of interest in previous hobbies 
• Risky financial behavior 
• Aggression or violent behavior 
• Risky sexual behavior

The Physical signs of meth abuse include:

• Dilated pupils
• Bad breath
• Broken teeth
• Severe loss of weight
• Irregular breathing patterns
• Irregular sweating
• Rotting, blackened teeth, (meth mouth)
• Needle marks on the arm
• Burns on the fingertips and lips

Do Not Enable Their Behavior

It is important to distinguish between compassion and enabling the meth abuse habits of your loved one. Enabling their abuse means that your loved one does not realise the consequences of abuse and addiction. For example, a loved one can use up their savings to buy meth. A cash bailout would be enabling them because they can easily go off and buy more meth. However, helping them get a job shows compassion and puts them in the right direction. 

Get the Help of Professionals

It is a dangerous drug, so it is important to speak to a professional such as a therapist or an interventionist for guidance. The professional will teach you and your family members how to deal with a loved one abusing meth. You could learn effective ways to convince your loved one to get treatment. 

Moreover, professionals provide positive exchange tools, help manage negative consequences, and help avoid enabling behavior. A professional will be able to handle your situation to address the unique needs of your loved one. 

Avoid Confronting Them When They Are High

Do not approach the individual when under intoxication or in withdrawal. They are likely to react negatively and could display aggressive or erratic behaviour. Approach them when they are sober and calm.

Approach Them With Compassion

Make sure you use a compassionate approach and compassionate words when dealing with a loved one abusing meth. A compassionate approach may help them open up on various issues and stresses that could have triggered meth abuse. You can use the following format in your approach:

• Approach them when they are in a decent mood without a crowd. 
• Let them know that you have some concerns about things you've seen lately. 
• Highlight the specific things that concern. 
• Emphasize that you only want to offer you support in case they need it and that you care for them. 
• Let them know that you are willing to listen and will offer no judgement.

Your goal is to make them feel safe, loved and supported. 

Take Care of Yourself

The experiences of dealing with a loved one who abuses meth can take a toll on you, especially your mental health. Therefore, it is important to take care of yourself both mentally and physically to offer your support. Eat a healthy diet, exercise often, and you can also attend a support group for visitor therapists to help with your mental health.

Be Understanding and Supportive of Their Treatment

You should understand that addiction is a chronic and recurring disease. It has no cure but treatment measures to help cope with the disease. Support your loved one’s treatment in any way that you can. Research shows that family support is important for addiction recovery.  You could support them through:

• Financial support for treatment
• Taking them to appointments 
• Offering consistent encouragement 
• Helping them get in touch with treatment providers. 

Also, do not be hard on them when they relapse. It is part of the recovery journey. Therefore, you should help your friend or family member take their appropriate recovery steps after a relapse. You should also understand that your friend or family member abusing meth will use various excuses to avoid rehab treatment. 

Things To Avoid When Dealing With a Loved One Abusing Meth

It is important to avoid doing certain things when dealing with a loved one abusing meth. They include:

• Criticizing or blaming them. Addiction is a disease.
• Use of aggressive or confrontational language.
• Making promises such as t keep their addiction a secret.

Conclusion

Meth abuse is a dangerous activity that poses various dangers to the abuser and their friends and family. There is a risk of addiction, mental health issues, financial struggles, organ damage, and major health issues. 

It is important to know how to deal with a loved one who abuses me to know how to get them appropriate help. Some of the steps you can take include learning the signs of meth abuse, avoiding enabling behavior, getting the help of professionals, avoiding confronting them when they are high, approaching them with compassion, taking care of yourself, and understanding and supporting the treatments.

Get Help for Meth Abuse in California

Coastline Behavioral Health in Orange county offers various rehab programs for meth abuse in California. Our recovery programs include detox, meth inpatient rehab, meth outpatient rehab, and meth luxury rehab. We offer a personalized approach to treatment. The features of your treatment program depending on your individual recovery needs. 

You can contact us today at (714)-842-2260 to get help for a friend or family member abusing meth.