By: Lakeview Health
What is Glass?
Glass, ice, and shards are all street names for crystal meth. Glass is colorless, odorless, and looks like glass fragments or shiny crystals, hence the name crystal meth. Crystal meth comes from methamphetamine. Methamphetamine is made from amphetamine, a highly addictive central nervous system medication. Amphetamine is mostly prescribed to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy.
Meth vs Glass
Glass is a type of meth typically made from the ingredients ephedrine or pseudoephedrine. These two ingredients are in various cold medicines, once extracted and processed they form meth crystals or rocks. Glass is ranked as the purest and most addictive type of methamphetamine. Because of its purity, glass or ice puts users at a greater risk of overdosing.1
The Effects of Glass
Users usually smoke crystal meth with a glass pipe, snort, inject, or swallow it to get a quick rush. It is that same false sense of well-being people try to get again and again that keeps them hooked on drugs. Furthermore, prolonged use of glass can damage the brain and body. Short-term effects include loss of appetite, dilated pupils, increased heart rate or blood pressure, and behavioral changes. Long-term effects include:
- Depression
- Psychosis
- Breathing problems
- Chronic weight loss or tooth decay
- Severe psychological dependence
- High blood pressure, heart attacks, and stroke2
Some of the effects are dangerous to health and life and may show up during meth detox and withdrawal.
What is Detox Like?
People battling crystal meth addiction may experience severe withdrawal symptoms if they try to quit “cold turkey.” This is one of the main reasons addiction treatment professionals recommend users detox and withdraw with the help of a doctor. Detox centers in Jacksonville, FL, and other cities may offer medication-assisted detox (MAT) to clients with moderate to severe addiction. The primary benefit of a professional detox is access to continuous medical care as you taper off the drug. You can also get help to manage unpleasant withdrawal symptoms such as trouble sleeping, depression, anxiety, or overpowering cravings.
Crystal Meth Addiction Treatment at Lakeview Health
Long-term meth abuse affects the body and mind. Therefore, we tailor treatment to remove the drug from the body and address psychological dependence. Drug use can stem from underlying problems, also known as co-occurring disorders, which include anxiety, depression, mood disorders, and other mental health issues. Behavioral therapy with a therapist helps you to see the link between these issues and meth abuse.
At Lakeview Health, we carefully design our addiction treatment programs to match the needs of each client. Our programs include:
- Medical Detox
- Inpatient Treatment
- Residential Treatment
- Partial Hospitalization
- Intensive Outpatient (IOP)
- Aftercare & Sober Living Programs
You or a loved one will receive integrative care from a team of certified addiction recovery professionals. We also encourage those closest to you to participate in family therapy and provide support as you work to win back your sobriety. To find out if Lakeview Health in Jacksonville, FL, is a good fit for you, please call 866.374.0561. Our admissions counselor is standing by to give you more information.
