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How to deal with a meth addict

Methamphetamine-addict-

It isn’t easy to deal with a drug addict, let alone bring them on the path to recovery. Meth or methamphetamine is among the most addictive stimulants. A large number of people who have been trying this on a regular basis end up becoming physically and psychologically addicted to it. Not only is the addict himself afflicted with this debilitating condition, but it also adversely affects those around him.

People who do not understand the vulnerable condition of an addict might abandon them. On the other hand, those who sympathize too much might make them continue their addiction. If you truly care about the addict, you should go the middle way. You should understand their addiction and help them overcome it. Here are some ways that you can use to deal with a meth addict.

How to deal with a meth addict?

1. Step back

Methamphetamine-addict-

Every individual has his or her own learning journey and a mission in life. Just like the addict, you too have your own journey and mission. However, chances are that in your relationship with the addict, you may end up neglecting your needs and priorities. Most people who are close to an addict, experience a gradual and progressive deterioration in their social functioning. You may be neglecting your health, your career, or your finances. You may be withdrawing from your social network. Lessons of life are never learned from books but from figuring out the relationship amongst actions and consequences. Step back and allow the addict to experience the consequences of his or her addiction.

2. Be rational in your love

You might just have caught a glimpse of how irrational your loving behavior is in your relationship with the addict. Love, when it enables the addict to continue in his self-destructive behavior, is misguided or misdirected. It is a natural response for you to protect the meth addict from getting in trouble by helping him out with money, so that he does not steal. This type of love is known as enabling in the realm of addiction treatment. By letting the meth addict know that addiction is not a behavior you are willing to accept or condone, you are helping him or her to face the reality of the situation. It may break your heart to see the addict get into trouble because you did not put yourself to protect him or her, but it may helps the addict to get his or her life back in order.

3. Guide the addict

rehabilitation and psychological counseling

There are several tried and tested methods of treatment for meth addicts. Most of these consist of a component of medical management of withdrawal from meth followed by long term rehabilitation and psychological counseling. Keep yourself informed of all the resources in your neighborhood or community through which you can quickly access such professional help. Get hold of some promotional literature aimed at the addict. Keep it around the house where the addict may notice it. Keep your communication channels open with the addict so that when the window of opportunity arises, you are there and approachable.

4. Seek help yourself

People who are consumed by the presence of a meth addict in their lives are often unaware of how deeply the problem affects their own lives. The term used by addiction treatment for such people is codependents. The central symptom of all addictive processes is denial of the nature and severity of the problem. This is not only the case with the addict but also with the codependent. You might have no clue why your social, emotional and spiritual life is worsening each passing day, and addiction might be the last thing that you will connect it to. The presence of the addict in your life results in deep rooted psychological and emotional changes, which you may not be able to cope with your own. Most organizations dealing with addiction have support groups for codependents. Connect with them for your own sake, not just because you want to fix the addict’s problem.

5. Live your life

Taking up a hobby

Meth addiction can kill, not just physically but in every other way too. If you are in a relationship with an addict who is not only destroying his own life but yours too, try to get out of that relationship. This may be difficult in many cases, especially with siblings or your offspring, but it is often the more compassionate choice to exercise, keeping all interests in mind. If you have experienced an erosion in the quality of your personal life, do all that you can to regain it. Many codependents find strength in social or spiritual activities. Taking up a hobby or a study course can also help you recover from the breakdown of your personal life. Remember that if you do not take care of yourself, nobody else will. Putting out your time and energy to help others who are dealing with similar problems has also been found to be an excellent way to reclaim power over your life.

Diet and nutrition to recover from Methamphetamine addiction:

Nutritious diet plays an important role in helping to recover from drug addiction. In case of meth addiction, the liver of the person is damaged and he is dehydrated. To recover from the metabolic imbalances, we recommend a few dietary tips.

1. Include Fiber in the meals

Fiber is good for the brain and heart, minimizes the risk of cardiovascular diseases and helps in weight reduction. It aids in improving digestion and facilities detoxification of the colon. Fiber helps in lowering the cholesterol levels and helps in regulating the blood sugar. Fruits are amongst the best sources of fiber, oats, green leafy veggies, and bran are also rich in fiber content.

2. Healthy fats will help

For a faster and a better recovery, include monounsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids in your diet. These will purify the liver and enhance the functions of the brain. Keep in mind that saturated fats on the other hand can cause a lot of diseases including ailments of the heart, obesity and even cancer. The healthy fats repair the damaged tissues of the body, and also help in vitalizing the processes of the body. Fat-free dairy products, nuts, grains and fish are a good source of healthy fats.

3. Taking vitamins for recovery

Frustrated Man

In the process of recovery, vitamins can help in repairing the brain and tissues. Meth does damage to the brain and also restrains the absorption of vitamins and minerals in the body. Vitamin B12, vitamin C and vitamin B5 will help in the process of recovery.

4. Vitamin B5

This vitamin can be obtained from black beans, hazelnuts, eggs, mushrooms, rye bread and lean beef. Nervousness and anxiety will be restrained in the person recovering from meth addiction by the intake of vitamin B5. Memory and cognitive functions will also improve as serotonin and norepinepherine are produced in the brain.

5.Vitamin C

Attractive smiling woman eats the fresh orange - over white background

This vitamin will help in purifying your bloodstream and the cravings for the drug are reduced by it. Lemons, spinach, strawberries, tomatoes, oranges and broccoli are a few foods rich in vitamin C.

6. Vitamin B12

This is one of the most essential vitamins for the apt functioning of the nervous system. Vitamin B12 will boost the immune system, stabilize the mood and facilitate proper functioning of the liver. This is found in abundance in meat, eggs and dairy produce.

Recovering from Methamphetamine is a challenge, on both the mental and the physical level. Once the person is determine enough to come out of the addiction, a healthy diet can help the body recover faster.

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