"Looking back over the past year, it's hard to work out the exact point at which a bit of fun became an addiction."

Simon

• Keep triggers and cravings in check

  While getting sober from drugs is an important first step, it’s only the beginning of the recovery process. Once sober, the brain nee...
  While getting sober from drugs is an important first step, it’s only the beginning of the recovery process. Once sober, the brain needs time to recover and rebuild connections that have changed while addicted. During this time, drug cravings can be intense. You can support your continued sobriety by making a conscious effort to avoid people, places, and situations that trigger the urge to use.
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• Reach out for support

  Don’t try to go it alone. Whatever treatment approach you choose, having a solid support system is essential. The more positive influ...
  Don’t try to go it alone. Whatever treatment approach you choose, having a solid support system is essential. The more positive influences you have in your life, the better your chances for recovery. Recovering from drug addiction isn’t easy, but with people you can turn to for encouragement, guidance, and a listening ear, it’s a little easier.
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• Make a life change

  The first step to fighting addiction is to make a decision that it is time to make a life change. That life change will reflect your de...
  The first step to fighting addiction is to make a decision that it is time to make a life change. That life change will reflect your desire to quit your addiction. Your life change may require one or many changes be made to accomplish your goal.
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• Regain Power

  Many addictions are undermined because we believe we are powerless to change the situation. This is not true! You do have the power to ...
  Many addictions are undermined because we believe we are powerless to change the situation. This is not true! You do have the power to make change. It may be slow and painful. It may result in times where you fall backwards but you have the power to pick yourself up, wipe yourself off, and go forward again. Use your power to take one minute at a time, one hour at a time, and one day at a time. As you move forward use your power to look one week into the future, one month into the future.
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• Look for help

  There are many groups and organizations available to help you overcome your addiction. Once you have set your mind to beating your addi...
  There are many groups and organizations available to help you overcome your addiction. Once you have set your mind to beating your addiction you can seek help from one of the groups to help you accomplish your goal. Groups like Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Overeaters Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous, or Debtors Anonymous are trained to work with you to successfully beat your addiction. They are a mentor, a crutch, and a friend in a time of need.
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Find a program that meets your needs

It is important to choose a program that meets your specific personal goals and lifestyle. If your crystal meth addiction is severe, th...

It is important to choose a program that meets your specific personal goals and lifestyle. If your crystal meth addiction is severe, then the constant supervision offered by a residential program might be a better decision.

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Avoid temptation during detox

If you are engaged in an outpatient detox program for a crystal meth addiction, it is important to steer clear of situations where you ...

If you are engaged in an outpatient detox program for a crystal meth addiction, it is important to steer clear of situations where you can be pulled back into drug use. These situations may include visiting old friends or neighbourhoods where crystal meth is available.

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Understand the withdrawal symptom

Crystal meth withdrawal symptoms can be scary if they come on unexpectedly. Individuals who know about these potential side effects of ...

Crystal meth withdrawal symptoms can be scary if they come on unexpectedly. Individuals who know about these potential side effects of detox before hand will be in a better position to cope with them when they do arrive.

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Don’t be afraid to ask for help

If you are concerned about the severity of your withdrawal symptoms, or want to know about the challenges that may lurk around the corn...

If you are concerned about the severity of your withdrawal symptoms, or want to know about the challenges that may lurk around the corner - don’t be afraid to ask the counsellors or doctors who are on-call.

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Maintain a good mental attitude

A lot of your success during crystal meth detox depends upon your mental state; your attitude and desire play a big role in the end res...

A lot of your success during crystal meth detox depends upon your mental state; your attitude and desire play a big role in the end result. Don’t waste a lot of energy fighting back against the program or the people who run it. See crystal meth detox for what it is: the first step in the journey towards a happy, fulfilling drug-free life.

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Set small goals that are easier to reach

Be realistic about what you can achieve. Avoid thinking in terms of "forever." Think in terms of days, hours or even minutes. Not using...

Be realistic about what you can achieve. Avoid thinking in terms of "forever." Think in terms of days, hours or even minutes. Not using for one day is much easier than not using for a whole month. Quitting "cold turkey" is not for everyone and can seem impossible. Try cutting back your use in steps. Use twice a week instead of every day, or twice a month instead of every weekend. You can also cut down how much you use. Use 1/4 gram instead of 1/2, or use.

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Get rid of your drugs and drug paraphernalia

This includes all product, baggies, spoons, needles, bleach, mirrors, and any other stuff you use when you get high. Be sure you get ri...

This includes all product, baggies, spoons, needles, bleach, mirrors, and any other stuff you use when you get high. Be sure you get rid of stuff you may have stashed in your house, car or at a friend's house. If porn is a trigger, get rid of your mags and videos, too!

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Throw out phone numbers that trigger thoughts about using

Change your phone number. Get rid of your pager. Make it hard for your dealer and acquaintances to reach you. Make it hard for you to r...

Change your phone number. Get rid of your pager. Make it hard for your dealer and acquaintances to reach you. Make it hard for you to reach them. Toss out any drug-related phone numbers!

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Become aware of your using patterns

Like when, why, where and with whom you use most often. Whenever you can, avoid these situations and find other activities to substitut...

Like when, why, where and with whom you use most often. Whenever you can, avoid these situations and find other activities to substitute for using. Hang out with friends who don't use or go to a movie instead of a bar or club.

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Anticipate withdrawal

Symptoms may include severe mood swings, irregular sleep, depression, anxiety, boredom, irritability and feeling completely hopeless ab...

Symptoms may include severe mood swings, irregular sleep, depression, anxiety, boredom, irritability and feeling completely hopeless about everything in life. These experiences are very common and will ease up over time. These symptoms will also make you want to use again, so have a plan for how you will deal with them.

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Watch your eating habits

Limit your intake of caffeine, sugar and white flour products like pastries, cookies and white bread. Sugar comes in many forms: white,...

Limit your intake of caffeine, sugar and white flour products like pastries, cookies and white bread. Sugar comes in many forms: white, brown, honey, high fructose corn syrup, molasses, flavored syrups, so read the labels! Sugar affects the same brain chemicals as meth. Eating sweet foods will start a cycle of highs and lows. You may feel like you're "crashing," sort of like when you come down off crystal. This feeling may make you crave more sugar and/or even meth. When a sugar craving hits, eat some protein instead (cheese, burritos, burgers, yogurt, etc.).

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Alternative Therapy

To take your mind off the cravings for meth, try some alternative therapies. You never know, they might work – and failing that, the ...

To take your mind off the cravings for meth, try some alternative therapies. You never know, they might work – and failing that, the placebo effect is powerful.

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Exercise and eat well

Getting some exercise has multiple benefits for your body – increasing metabolism, getting the blood flowing, releasing endorphins. E...

Getting some exercise has multiple benefits for your body – increasing metabolism, getting the blood flowing, releasing endorphins. Eating proper food will help regulate your mood and your energy in order to help minimise cravings.

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Patience!

You didn’t get into this mess in a day, and you won’t get out of it in that short timeframe either. Kicking crystal meth will invol...

You didn’t get into this mess in a day, and you won’t get out of it in that short timeframe either. Kicking crystal meth will involve hard work and perseverance, and if you aren’t seeing results in the short term, stick at it!

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Explore your treatment options

If you find it difficult to quit on your own, you may need additional support to reach your goals. There are many types of treatment pr...

If you find it difficult to quit on your own, you may need additional support to reach your goals. There are many types of treatment programs available. Making decisions about treatment can be scary and stressful, so it's a good idea to talk with a counselor about your options. Free treatment information is available on our website resource list.

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Regret versus Shame

Sadness and regret over time lost due to drug addiction can be healthy, but going overboard with feelings of shame and guilt will get i...

Sadness and regret over time lost due to drug addiction can be healthy, but going overboard with feelings of shame and guilt will get in the way of the recovery process. It is important not to prolong your dysfunction by engaging in self-defeating feelings of shame that further prevent you from rejoining society. Counselling can help you clarify your thinking in order to get you on track again, but it is vital that you realize for yourself just how destructive shame can be to your well-being.

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Be Safe About Sex

The use of crystal meth is associated with more frequent sexual activity, sex with more partners and an increased risk of unprotected s...

The use of crystal meth is associated with more frequent sexual activity, sex with more partners and an increased risk of unprotected sex as users lose themselves in the drug's effects. All of these increase the risk of transmitting HIV.

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Crystal and the Heart

The heart helps to push blood around the body because this organ is a muscular pump. Crystal meth speeds up the pumping action of the h...

The heart helps to push blood around the body because this organ is a muscular pump. Crystal meth speeds up the pumping action of the heart and raises blood pressure. Both of these effects strain the heart and blood vessels. As the heart beats faster and for prolonged periods because of crystal meth, it requires more oxygen. But this drug can shrink the size of arteries, which transport oxygen-rich blood to the heart. A heart that's forced to pump faster without enough oxygen can become damaged. Crystal meth can also increase the chance of blood clots spontaneously forming. If sufficient clots appear and begin to stick together, they can block blood vessels. As a result of all of these negative cardiovascular effects, sometimes crystal meth users can develop chest pain, rapid heart beats and, in some cases, heart attacks and stroke. Although these extreme results are not common in the short term, the effect of repeated use of crystal meth is to pave the way for future heart disease.

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