As the drug war rages on, the frontlines are always changing. While the last decade was largely defined by the opioid crisis, other drugs, and variants of new forms of established ones, continue to crop up. One that has made the headlines recently is known as super meth, also known as p2p meth. Super meth is a form of meth that is purported to be far more potent than previous forms.
In this article, we’ll take you through everything you need to know.
What is Super Meth?
Super meth is meth produced by illegal cartel-owned laboratories in Mexico. It’s most commonly found in the Southwest and the South, but the supply has been steadily creeping northward.
What makes it dangerous is its chemically distinct from regular meth. Where conventional meth is produced via ephedrine or pseudoephedrine, super meth is made with phenyl-2-propanone (P2P), also known as phenylacetone.
If that word sounds familiar to you, it’s because the chemicals used to make it are used in a wide array of industries, including racing fuel, tanning, gold mining, perfume, and photography. Because of this, its hard to suppress the production of phenylacetone, and thus super meth.
Super meth started showing up after 2006, when Congress passed a law restricting ephedrine and pseudoephedrine to behind the pharmacy counter.
While intended to make meth production harder, it sadly backfired. P2P meth is actually more affordable and simple to produce. It’s also more potent.
Between 2006 and 2012, meth production fell by over 60 percent. At the same time, meth potency increased by more than 130 percent. Meanwhile, meth seizures at the border have skyrocketed.
Where older crystal meth had an average purity rate of 80%, super meth has a purity rate of 93% or above.This means more intense and longer-lasting highs for those who use it, as well as an even stronger addiction. And that all translates to more profits for dealers and more destroyed lives for those who use it.
What Makes Super Meth Dangerous?
Methamphetamine is a neurotoxin—it damages the brain no matter how it is derived. But super meth is especially potent. Normal crystal meth makes users euphoric and talkative; super meth makes them paranoid. It’s sometimes been referred to on the street as “weirdo meth,” because of how it can induce delusions and hallucinations in users.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Meth Abuse?
Some of the common signs of meth abuse are:
- Dilated pupils
- Anxiety
- Going several days without eating or sleeping
- Teeth grinding and rotting
- Bacterial infections
- Psychosis, paranoia, and ongoing delusions
When it comes to super meth, all these signs and symptoms are going to be amplified. Users of super meth may experience severe paranoia and psychosis. One super meth user became convinced there was a man in his apartment. He proceeded to tear apart his couch with a knife and stab holes in his wall.
Due to its highly potent nature, “super meth” abuse can lead to more rapid development of addiction and more severe health consequences, making timely intervention and treatment even more critical. If you or someone you know is abusing this terrible drug, seek help before it’s too late.
Get confidential help from our addiction treatment specialists in Orange County. Call to join our rehab program today!
Call 866-881-1184How Is Meth Addiction Treated?
The first step in treating super meth addiction is often detoxification, where the body clears itself of methamphetamine. This process can involve withdrawal symptoms, which can be intense and uncomfortable. Licensed therapists will be on hand to provide medication and support to alleviate these symptoms.
After detox is complete, treatment can begin. Treatment for super meth addiction will likely involve a combination of behavioral therapy, counseling and medication. The specific treatment plan will vary depending on the individual’s needs and circumstances.
Some common approaches to treating meth addiction include:
- Cognitive-behavioral Therapy (CBT): This type of therapy helps individuals identify and change unhealthy thoughts and behaviors related to drug use.
- Contingency Management: This approach involves providing incentives and rewards for staying abstinent from meth and engaging in positive behaviors.
- Motivational Interviewing: This technique helps individuals explore and resolve their ambivalence about quitting meth and making positive changes in their lives.
- Family Therapy: Involving family members in therapy can help repair relationships and establish a supportive home environment.
Beyond therapy, treatment will also address any co-occurring disorders, as well as polysubstance abuse. These are especially pertinent in the case of meth abuse, as many meth users suffer from mental illness and abuse other substances, such as opioids.
Looking for quality substance abuse treatment that’s also affordable? South Coast accepts most major insurance providers. Get a free insurance benefits check now.
Check Your CoverageMeth Addiction Treatment at SCBH
If you or a loved one are seeking treatment for addiction to super meth, South Coast Behavioral Health is here to help. The first step in treating meth addiction is a medical detox. This means using drugs to manage withdrawal symptoms.
Our medical detox program in California is staffed by caring and compassionate professionals who can provide you with medications to manage your withdrawal symptoms.
At South Coast, we take pride in offering care that is closely tailored to specific issues. To that end, we offer gender-specific detox programs, with medical detox for men in Irvine, CA, and medical detox for women in Huntington Beach, CA.
After detoxing, proper treatment can begin.
Treatment for substance abuse takes place along an entire spectrum of care. Along that entire spectrum are various behavioral therapies, support groups, and the use of medically-assisted treatment (MAT).
These levels of treatment are, in order, as follows:
Residential Treatment in California
After successfully completing medical detox, you’ll receive inpatient treatment in Orange County California. There, you’ll receive medically-assisted treatment and dual diagnosis treatment to deal with any cravings or co-occurring mental health issues you may be battling.
We also offer residential treatment facilities in Costa Mesa, Irvine, and Huntington Beach for those who desire gender-specific treatment. There, patients get round-the-clock medical attention and monitoring while living at the institution full-time.
In addition to individual and group counseling and medication management, you’ll also have access to leisure activities and family support services.
Partial Hospitalization in California
Most clients start substance abuse treatment with South Coast in our residential treatment program. After completing that, many desire something that still provides structure and support, but with extra space and time to oneself. For that, we offer Partial Hospitalization in Newport Beach.
A step down from inpatient care but with more structure than conventional outpatient programs, partial hospitalization offers a good balance for those looking to ease back into normal life. Clients can receive care five to seven days a week for a number of hours each day, returning back to their homes in the evening.
This way, they can recover without putting their daily lives completely on hold, receiving intense therapeutic interventions like group and individual therapy, skill development, and medication management as necessary.
Intensive Outpatient Treatment in California
For those leaving inpatient residential treatment or partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient programs (IOP) are yet another gradual step forward on the road to recovery.
With a focus on group therapy, individual counseling, and education, clients undergoing Intensive Outpatient Treatment in Newport Beach can meet three to five days a week. Each session lasts three hours.
This level of care requires the least amount of attendance at a facility.
Start Today
If you or a loved one are struggling with alcohol addiction but wonder how long addiction treatment takes or have other questions, call us at 866-881-1184 or contact us here. Our highly qualified staff will be happy to help give you an idea of what to expect from your addiction recovery timeline, help verify your insurance, and assist with any other questions you may have.
REFERENCES:
- A New, Cheaper Form of Meth Is Wreaking Havoc on America – The Atlantic (archive.ph)
- Psychiatric comorbidity in methamphetamine dependence – PMC (nih.gov)
- Addicted Nevada: ‘Super meth’ causes severe psychosis, addiction, mental health crises inc | KRNV (mynews4.com)
- “Super Meth” makes its mark in Tucson (kgun9.com)
- Phenylacetone – an overview | ScienceDirect Topics
