Addictive substances cause colossal health and economic disasters every year. In the United States last year, nearly 2.5 million people fell victim to Shabu Addiction, and almost 30,000 died from overdoses.
This increase in addiction and the resulting health issues has forced doctors to increase their focus on how these substances work, how they affect the body, and how to dispose of them properly.
Turkey has focused on treating psychological conditions and addiction through its high-level medical centers in cooperation with a group of the most skilled doctors specialized in this field.
What is shabu (meth or crystal)?
Methamphetamine, developed in the early 20th century from amphetamine, was initially used in decongestants and inhalers. It causes hyperactivity, decreased appetite, and euphoria. Unlike amphetamine, methamphetamine enters the brain in larger amounts, making it a more potent, longer-lasting stimulant that is more harmful to the central nervous system and prone to abuse.
Methamphetamine is a powerful and addictive stimulant that affects the central nervous system; in the form of an odorless white crystalline powder with a bitter taste that dissolves easily in water or alcohol, which can be taken orally, inhaled through the nose, smoked, or injected directly into a vein or muscle.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has classified methamphetamine as a stimulant available only through a non-refillable prescription. Medically, meth is suitable for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Still, this use is limited and rarely prescribed, and prescribed doses are much lower than those commonly abused.
Shabu addiction
Shabu Addiction (a term often used for methamphetamine addiction). Addiction is a chronic disease characterized by compulsive seeking and excessive substance use. Functional and molecular changes in the brain also accompany it.
The greatest danger of shabu and psychedelics is “dose dependence,” which causes the addicted patient to need to take larger doses of the drug or increase the frequency with which they take it. Chronic methamphetamine addicts may have difficulty experiencing any pleasure other than that provided by methamphetamine, leading to a vicious cycle of addiction.
How shabu affects the brain and body
Neuroimaging studies have shown changes in dopamine system activity associated with reduced motor speed and impaired verbal learning, and studies of chronic methamphetamine users have revealed severe structural and functional changes in brain regions associated with emotion and memory that may be responsible for many of the emotional and cognitive issues observed in these individuals.
Research on lab animals has found that methamphetamine addiction alters the effectiveness of brain centers involved in decision-making and impairs the ability to suppress useless negative behaviors. This suggests that a structural change underlies the decline in mental resilience. These changes in brain structure and function explain why this addiction is so difficult to treat, and the likelihood of relapse is high early in treatment.
Causes of Shabu addiction and its prevalence in society
Addiction is a disease of the brain that cannot be linked to a single factor. Addiction to crystal and other drugs or alcohol is thought to result from the synergy of a variety of environmental triggers, genetics, and physical changes in the brain. The most common causes and risk factors include
- Genetic factors: People who develop an addiction to methamphetamine or other drugs often have a first-degree relative who also suffers from addiction.
- Physical factors: Some people are born with different structures and functions of the brain and central nervous system, which may put them at greater risk of developing an addiction to methamphetamine or other drugs.
- Environmental factors: The likelihood of addiction is higher when there is an encouraging environment, such as those born into households where addiction is part of daily life.
- Weak parental control.
- Availability of drugs and low socioeconomic status.
Symptoms of Shabu addiction
Symptoms of methamphetamine abuse vary from person to person based on individual genetic makeup, use of other drugs or alcohol, frequency of use, and dose used. Still, the most common symptoms of methamphetamine addiction can be categorized into the following:
Behavioral symptoms
- Withdrawal from everyday activities and introversion
- Poor work performance
- A sudden need for money and theft
- Increased criminal activity and reckless behavior
- Increased libido
Physical symptoms
- Addict’s mouth (severe tooth decay and tooth loss as well as tooth breakage and severe acid erosion)
- Damage to multiple areas of the brain
- Tachycardia and high blood pressure
- Increased respiratory rate and high fever
- Decreased appetite and need for sleep
Cognitive symptoms
- Increased ability to focus on one thing but difficulty focusing on more than one thing at a time
- Jumping from one idea to another without a logical connection
- Impaired judgment and memory loss
- Thinking too fast
Psychosocial symptoms
- Ecstasy and Paranoia
- A feeling of insects walking under the skin
- Feelings of power and hallucinations
- Anxiety and depression
- Deterioration of previous mental illnesses
- Methamphetamine-induced psychosis
- Suicidal thoughts and behaviors
Long-term effects of shabu addiction on psychological and physical health
Methamphetamine addiction leads to numerous side effects, some of which are irreversible. Methamphetamine abuse has also been shown to have negative effects on non-neuronal brain cells called microglia. These cells support the brain’s immunity by defending against harmful agents and removing damaged neurons.
Addiction leads to overactive microglia that can attack healthy neurons, and this neurobiological effect is at least molecularly reversible.
Long-term users also experience physical effects, including weight loss, severe tooth decay, and sometimes tooth loss and blistering of the skin. Dental issues are caused by a combination of poor nutrition, poor dental hygiene, dry mouth, and bruxism. Skin ulcers result from chronic scratching to get rid of insects that the patient perceives to be under the skin.
Shabu’s withdrawal symptoms and how to deal with them
With prolonged use, the body becomes accustomed to the presence of crystal meth and adapts accordingly, unable to function normally without it. If a patient stops using meth, their body requests the drug through unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.
Withdrawal symptoms can begin just a couple of hours after the last use and can last for weeks. Withdrawal effects vary significantly among people addicted to methamphetamine, and symptoms may last for days or weeks, depending on the length of methamphetamine use.
Withdrawal must only be done under trained medical personnel’s supervision to avoid any severe and life-threatening symptoms. Methamphetamine withdrawal effects may include:
- Increased craving for crystal
- Irritability, headaches, and irritability
- Insomnia or excessive sleeping
- Lucid dreams that stick in the patient’s memory
- Anxiety and depression
- Fatigue and constant hunger
- Suicidal thoughts and behaviors
How to treat shabu addiction
Various forms of effective treatment are available for those suffering from methamphetamine addiction, and the best methamphetamine treatment options depend on each individual. Learn about the stages of addiction treatment in Turkey.
Drugs to treat shabu addiction
Medications used to treat meth addiction work by targeting the brain’s reward system to minimize the effects of euphoria. These medications help relieve cravings and withdrawal symptoms to make quitting crystal easier.
Bupropion
This medication is often prescribed to treat depression and help with smoking cessation. It can also be used to help reduce cravings for crystal meth and can help improve overall mood while going through the initial stages of treatment.
Modafinil
This drug is commonly prescribed to treat narcolepsy and meth-related sleep disorders. It has also been shown to significantly reduce crystal meth cravings while improving cognitive function in those suffering from addiction.
Naltrexone
This medication is often prescribed to treat alcohol and opiate addiction and has also been shown to reduce methamphetamine cravings as well as improve mood in those suffering from addiction. Naltrexone is a commonly used medication in recovery.
Cognitive behavioral therapy for shabu addiction (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy that aims to change how you think and feel using self-help strategies. This approach is particularly effective in treating substance use disorder.
Furthermore, CBT is based on the principle that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected. Individuals can change their emotional responses and behaviors by identifying and eliminating irrational or harmful thoughts. Essential techniques include the following:
Understanding and modifying behavior
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps individuals with methamphetamine addiction critically evaluate their behaviors and understand the motivations behind their addiction. Research shows that CBT effectively alters the brain’s response to addictive substance cues, reducing cravings.
Addressing harmful behaviors
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) directly aims to treat self-injurious or self-harming behaviors, which are often reinforced by addictive thought patterns. The therapy aims to break these patterns by developing healthier responses to the body and psyche.
Emotional regulation
The intense dopamine rush caused by methamphetamine use significantly impairs rational thinking and activates emotional thinking.
Treatment of cognitive abnormalities
CBT corrects these pattern distortions by restructuring negative thinking patterns. Studies have shown that changing these thought patterns can improve the brain’s cognitive function over time, aiding recovery.
Focus on current triggers
Unlike some forms of therapy that delve into an individual’s past, CBT focuses on identifying and managing the current attitudes that lead to addiction. This approach is useful for developing immediate coping strategies that effectively prevent relapse.
Simultaneous management of disorders
Successful recovery from addiction often requires the simultaneous management of both mental and physical illnesses. CBT addresses these illnesses simultaneously, ensuring that untreated mental health issues do not undermine the recovery process.
This holistic approach to treatment is critical to a full recovery.
The importance of detox in treating shabu addiction
Detoxification is removing toxic substances from the body physiologically or pharmacologically, primarily by the liver. Detoxification can be achieved by flushing out the harmful substances of addiction using antidotes as well as techniques such as dialysis. This treatment aims to help you stop using meth as quickly and safely as possible without serious side effects.
It may be safe to undergo detox on an outpatient basis, but some patients may need to be hospitalized. Withdrawal from different classes of drugs, such as stimulants or opioids, produces different side effects and requires different approaches. Detoxification may involve gradually reducing or replacing the dose with other substances.
Does a shabu addict recover?
Recovery from methamphetamine addiction is possible and has become increasingly common in recent years. Those who have the will can regain control of their lives and escape the grip of drug abuse.
The combination of intensive psychotherapy, behavioral therapy, medication, and a supportive community can increase the chances of successful recovery. Statistics show that more than 40 percent of people who successfully receive addiction treatment remain abstinent.
Studies have shown that the average recovery rate for people suffering from methamphetamine addiction is about 37%, which is roughly equivalent to other drugs, such as cocaine and heroin.
How can the family and community support the addict during treatment?
Families can support their family members by going to family counseling sessions that show the addict’s family how to deal with the addiction and how they can help the addict reach full recovery.
A neuropsychologist can help the addict and their family deal with the complex emotions that arise when a family member struggles with addiction. These sessions can also provide the tools to create more communication between the addict and their family and create a supportive home environment for addiction recovery.
The family and the community surrounding the addict must be honest with the patient and clear in explaining his condition and the adverse effects it causes; through this method, a sense of responsibility can be created in the patient, which may be the first step on the road to treatment.
Preventing a return to shabu addiction after recovery
A recovering addiction patient may relapse due to environmental or social factors called “Trigger Factors.” For example, certain places or people may trigger memories of past methamphetamine use, leading to cravings for the drug. In recovery, the patient must avoid all these factors that may cause a relapse of addiction. Family, friends, and the community should help the patient avoid being exposed to these factors that trigger addiction again.
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