Trust SoCal Treatment Center

Methamphetamine Addiction

Compassionate, evidence-based treatment for lasting recovery

Medically reviewed by Rachel Handa, Clinical Director — Updated February 1, 2026

Approximately 2.5 million Americans aged 12 and older reported using methamphetamine in the past year, according to the 2022 NSDUH.
Methamphetamine-involved overdose deaths have tripled since 2015, reaching approximately 34,000 in 2022, often in combination with fentanyl.
Brain imaging studies show that while methamphetamine causes significant neurological damage, many brain functions can recover substantially after 14 or more months of sustained abstinence.

Varies by treatment plan

What Is Methamphetamine (Meth) Addiction?

Methamphetamine is a powerful, highly addictive stimulant that affects the central nervous system by flooding the brain with dopamine, producing an intense rush of euphoria, energy, and confidence. Chronic methamphetamine use causes severe neurological damage, dramatically altering brain structure and function in ways that impair decision-making, emotional regulation, and impulse control. The physical, psychological, and social devastation caused by meth addiction is profound, but recovery is possible with sustained, evidence-based treatment that addresses the extensive damage this drug inflicts on the brain and body.

Signs & Symptoms

Recognizing the signs of methamphetamine (meth) addiction is the first step toward getting help. Common indicators include:

Extended periods of wakefulness lasting days, followed by prolonged crash and sleep
Significant and rapid weight loss with decreased appetite
Severe dental deterioration commonly known as "meth mouth"
Skin picking leading to open sores, scabs, and scarring
Paranoia, agitation, erratic behavior, or hallucinations during use or after binges

Health Effects

1Severe neurotoxicity and damage to dopamine-producing neurons in the brain

2Cardiovascular damage including elevated blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, and increased stroke risk

3Extensive dental decay and gum disease from dry mouth, teeth grinding, and poor hygiene

4Psychotic symptoms including paranoia, visual and auditory hallucinations, and delusions

5Cognitive impairment affecting memory, attention, and executive function that may persist months into recovery

Withdrawal & Detox

Methamphetamine withdrawal is primarily psychological rather than physically dangerous, but it is intensely uncomfortable and can be emotionally overwhelming. Symptoms begin within 24 hours of last use and include extreme fatigue, increased appetite, vivid and disturbing dreams, profound depression, anxiety, irritability, and intense cravings. The depression and anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure) associated with meth withdrawal can last for weeks or months as the brain slowly rebuilds its depleted dopamine system. Suicidal ideation is a serious risk during this period, making professional supervision and psychiatric support critical.

Treatment at Trust SoCal

There are currently no FDA-approved medications specifically for methamphetamine addiction, making behavioral therapies the cornerstone of treatment. At Trust SoCal, our meth treatment program emphasizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to identify and change thought patterns that drive use, contingency management to reinforce positive behaviors, and the Matrix Model, a structured outpatient approach specifically developed for stimulant addiction. Psychiatric support is essential to manage the severe depression and potential psychosis associated with meth recovery. Physical health restoration, nutritional rehabilitation, and sleep hygiene are prioritized alongside therapeutic work. Long-term treatment engagement is particularly important for meth addiction due to the extended neurological recovery timeline.

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Key Statistics

Approximately 2.5 million Americans aged 12 and older reported using methamphetamine in the past year, according to the 2022 NSDUH.

Methamphetamine-involved overdose deaths have tripled since 2015, reaching approximately 34,000 in 2022, often in combination with fentanyl.

Brain imaging studies show that while methamphetamine causes significant neurological damage, many brain functions can recover substantially after 14 or more months of sustained abstinence.

Related Addiction Types

Cocaine Addiction

Cocaine is a powerful stimulant drug that produces short-lived feelings of intense euphoria, energy, and mental alertness by blocking the reabsorption of dopamine in the brain. Whether snorted as powder or smoked as crack cocaine, its short duration of action drives a pattern of repeated, escalating use that quickly leads to addiction. Cocaine use places enormous stress on the cardiovascular system and can cause sudden cardiac events even in young, otherwise healthy individuals. The psychological grip of cocaine addiction is formidable, driven by powerful cravings and the deceptive belief that one can control their use.

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Fentanyl Addiction

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine and has become the leading driver of overdose deaths in the United States. Originally developed for severe pain management in clinical settings, illicitly manufactured fentanyl now permeates the illegal drug supply and is found in counterfeit pills, heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine. Its extraordinary potency means that a dose as small as two milligrams can be fatal, and many users are unaware that the substance they are consuming contains fentanyl. Addiction to fentanyl develops rapidly and requires specialized, medically intensive treatment.

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Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol addiction, clinically known as alcohol use disorder (AUD), is a chronic medical condition characterized by an inability to control drinking despite negative consequences. Because alcohol is legal and socially normalized, many people struggle to recognize when casual drinking has crossed the line into dependence. Alcohol affects virtually every organ system in the body, and withdrawal from heavy, prolonged use can be life-threatening without medical supervision. At Trust SoCal, we provide medically supervised detox and comprehensive treatment tailored to the unique challenges of alcohol recovery.

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Recommended Treatment Programs

Medical Detox

A safe, medically supervised first step toward lasting recovery.

5-10 days

Residential Treatment

Immersive, structured care in a healing environment where recovery becomes your full focus.

30-90 days

Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Integrated treatment that addresses addiction and mental health together, not separately.

30-90 days

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

Effective, flexible treatment that fits into your life while keeping recovery at the center.

8-12 weeks, 3 days per week

Therapies Used in Treatment

CBTCognitive Behavioral Therapy DBTDialectical Behavior Therapy EMDREye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing MIMotivational Interviewing GGroup Therapy

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for the brain to recover from meth use?

Brain recovery from methamphetamine use is a gradual process. Research using neuroimaging has shown that damaged dopamine receptors can begin to recover after about 12 to 18 months of sustained abstinence, with significant improvements in cognitive function observed after 14 months or more. Some individuals experience faster recovery, while others may have longer-lasting effects depending on the duration and severity of their use.

Is there medication for meth addiction?

Currently, there are no FDA-approved medications specifically for methamphetamine use disorder, though several promising candidates are in clinical trials. However, medications may be prescribed to manage specific symptoms such as depression, anxiety, insomnia, or psychosis during recovery. Behavioral therapies remain the most effective treatment approach and form the foundation of our meth addiction program.

Can meth-induced psychosis be permanent?

In most cases, meth-induced psychosis resolves within days to weeks after stopping use, though some individuals may experience symptoms for several months. A small percentage of heavy, long-term users may develop a vulnerability to psychotic episodes that can recur even in sobriety, particularly during periods of high stress or sleep deprivation. Psychiatric medication and ongoing monitoring can effectively manage these symptoms.

Why is meth addiction considered so difficult to treat?

Methamphetamine causes extensive damage to the brain's reward system by depleting dopamine and damaging dopamine receptors. This results in a prolonged period during early recovery where clients experience severe depression, inability to feel pleasure, fatigue, and intense cravings. The lack of FDA-approved pharmacological aids and the long neurological recovery timeline make sustained treatment engagement critical. However, with comprehensive, long-term treatment, many people achieve lasting recovery.

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