With the opioid epidemic wreaking havoc in cities across the United States in the past few decades, other substances like methamphetamine, also known as meth, have not been as heavily covered on the news.
Meth is a highly addictive central nervous system stimulant that produces a high by increasing dopamine levels in the brain. It often comes in the form of a white, bitter-tasting powder or crystals (crystal meth). Deaths associated with meth use in the U.S. have risen over the past few decades, and more and more people are seeking out addiction treatment centers in Palm Springs. But California isn’t the only state that’s been affected. Keep reading for a list of the top 10 states with the highest crystal meth use in the nation.
Understanding stimulant use disorder is the first step — our drug rehab in Cathedral City, CA offers methamphetamine addiction treatment to help individuals begin their recovery journey.
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What Is Meth and What Does It Do?
Methamphetamine is a Schedule II stimulant, making it legally available but only through a non-refillable prescription. Though meth can be used to help manage attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), it is more often used recreationally. Crystal meth creates a euphoric high by activating the release of a neurotransmitter called dopamine, which plays a role in reward and mood. The sense of euphoria and well-being produced by the drug is partially the reason why it’s so addictive.
Some common side effects of crystal meth include:
- Sense of euphoria
- Decreased or loss of appetite
- Increased heart rate
- Increased blood pressure
- Increased body temperature
- Trouble sleeping
- Nausea and vomiting
- Erratic, bizarre, or violent behavior
- Hallucinations
- Irritability
- Increased energy and excitability
- Anxiety and paranoia
- Meth-induced psychosis
- Convulsions
- Seizures
- Death from overdose
The long-term effects of methamphetamine are just as severe. They include damage to the heart's blood vessels, increased risk of heart attacks and strokes, organ damage and failure, respiratory problems, increased risk of contracting infectious diseases like HIV or hepatitis, and more. Palm Springs treatment center offers a crystal meth detox in California that helps patients safely overcome withdrawals so they can move onto a formal addiction treatment program.
What Is The Meth Capital of the World?
Mexico can be considered the meth capital of the world because most of the crystal meth in the U.S. is supplied by Mexican cartels. There are plenty of meth labs in Mexico in which distributors make the drug using a range of household drugs and chemicals such as lithium and ammonia. Despite the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005 and other efforts against crystal meth trafficking, Mexican cartels and manufacturers still find ways to smuggle the drug into the U.S.
The connection between methamphetamine dependence and long-term health underscores the importance of professional support, like the meth detox and rehabilitation offered at our methamphetamine treatment facility in Gilman, IL.
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What Is The Meth Capital of the World?
Mexico can be considered the meth capital of the world because most of the crystal meth in the U.S. is supplied by Mexican cartels. There are plenty of meth labs in Mexico in which distributors make the drug using a range of household drugs and chemicals such as lithium and ammonia. Despite the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005 and other efforts against crystal meth trafficking, Mexican cartels and manufacturers still find ways to smuggle the drug into the U.S.
Top 10 States With Meth Problems
The crystal meth capital of America is Michigan, making it number one on our list of states with the highest meth use. The mid-west region of the nation tends to be a hotspot for meth-related criminal activity. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s National Clandestine Laboratory Seizure system, states with the most meth-related seizures in 2018 were:1
- Michigan (220)
- New York (220)
- Indiana (144)
- Illinois (129)
- North Carolina (127)
- California (114)
- Pennsylvania (105)
- Tennessee (102)
- Ohio (60)
- Florida (59)
In 2017, approximately 1.6 million Americans reported methamphetamine use in the past year, and 774,000 of them reported using it in the past month, a significantly higher number than 2016’s 684,000 people.2 Also in 2017, it was estimated that 964,000 people aged 12 and older had a methamphetamine addiction. Methamphetamine is a highly addictive substance that can wear down a person’s health, relationships, and finances. Its ability to change the chemical makeup of a person’s brain and produce a severe physical addiction makes it a difficult drug to quit. Fortunately, help is available.
Because California is one of the top ten states with meth problems, our rehab center dedicates all of its efforts to helping patients achieve long-term sobriety. In addition to our medically monitored detox programs, we also offer various forms of addiction treatment, including treatment for crystal meth users.
Taking the first step toward recovery is possible — reach out to our drug rehab in Waelder, TX to learn about meth detox and rehabilitation options that can make a difference.
For more information about our detox and inpatient addiction rehab programs in Cathedral City and how they work, call Banyan Palm Springs now at 888-280-4763. Sobriety is just a phone call away.
Sources:
- MSHP-2018 Methamphetamine Laboratory Incidents
- NIH-What is the scope of methamphetamine misuse in the United States?
Related Reading:
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