Meth Addiction, Anxiety and Recovery in a Free Inpatient Drug Rehab Center

Methamphetamine, or meth, addiction and anxiety often go together. Whether a person uses meth to deal with an underlying anxiety disorder, or anxiety is an effect of abusing the drug, treating anxiety is an important part of recovering from meth addiction. Over half of drug abusers have at least one serious mental illness, and inpatient rehabs for treating these “dual diagnosis” individuals focus on dealing with both issues. For those who can’t afford private substance abuse rehab, free inpatient rehab centers can often help meth addicts with mental health issues such as anxiety.

The Meth-Anxiety Connection

The connection between substance abuse and mental illness is a complicated one. About half of people with serious mental illness also struggle with substance abuse, and because the symptoms of mental illness and substance abuse often overlap, it can be difficult to sort out which problem is causing them.

Anxiety is a recognized mental health condition, and it has many forms. People with anxiety disorders may ‘self-medicate” with drugs like heroin and meth, which have a powerful effect on the brain’s receptors for dopamine, a chemical responsible for pleasure and relaxation.

But methamphetamine abuse also causes anxiety and even panic. A common side effect of meth addiction is psychosis, a state characterized by:

Meth addiction can cause severe anxiety that requires professional treatment.

• Paranoia
• Hallucinations
• Delusional behavior
• Extreme anxiety and restlessness

These symptoms can persist even after a person stops using meth, since the drug physically changes the brain’s neural pathways. It can take time for those pathways to return to normal, and in some cases the changes caused by meth can be permanent.

Treating Meth Addiction and Anxiety

Treating meth addiction works best on an inpatient basis. The first step is detox, to eliminate the drug from the user’s system. That triggers withdrawal, with symptoms including:

• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Fever and chills
• Heart palpitations
• Hypertension

For some kinds of addictions, medications can help ease the symptoms of withdrawal, but that’s not the case for meth abuse. In a rehab dedicated to dual diagnosis, though, medication and therapy can help to treat anxiety and other mental health conditions that become apparent.

Recovery in a Free Inpatient Rehab

Most dual diagnosis rehabs are private. These facilities offer the most current treatment options, delivered by therapists, counselors and staff with experience in both substance abuse and mental health. With a combination of medically supervised detox and personalized treatment plans, private rehabs provide the full range of services to help people recover from meth addiction.

But private inpatient rehabs are prohibitively expensive for many people with addictions who have low incomes and no health insurance. Free inpatient rehabs can fill the gap, making basic rehab services available to just about anyone who needs them.

Some free inpatient drug rehabs are provided by nonprofit groups or religious organizations. But most are state-funded, in order to make rehab services available to those who can’t afford a private facility. That means that services may vary from state to state, and dual diagnosis treatment may not be available everywhere.

Free inpatient rehab centers can help a person with a meth addiction to withdraw from the drug and get counseling for recovery. Because these facilities often have long waiting lists, people who must wait for a space may be offered outpatient services to start the recovery process. That can include help for co-occurring mental health issues like anxiety, too.

Inpatient Methamphetamine Rehab Centers

Finding Free Help for Meth Addiction and Anxiety

Some people find free inpatient treatment through connections with social service agencies or the courts. But it’s also possible to seek out treatment on your own. Local social service providers, drug abuse organizations and mental health centers can often provide information on the free inpatient centers in the area.

For people struggling with meth addiction and co-occurring anxiety who have limited resources, free inpatient rehab centers can provide that essential first step toward recovery. With basic services for treating addiction and mental health issues, free inpatient centers put a drug-free life within anyone’s reach.

Is your addiction controlling your life and harming your health? We’re here to help. Contact us at 800-430-1407Who Answers? for the solutions you need right now.