Clinically reviewed by the licensed clinical team at Shepherd Recovery Centers. Content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Sources include the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
The Methamphetamine Crisis in Texas
Methamphetamine use disorder is a severe and growing public health crisis. According to SAMHSA’s 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 2.5 million Americans reported using methamphetamine in the past year, and over 1.6 million had a methamphetamine use disorder. Meth-involved deaths increased dramatically in recent years, rising more than 180% between 2015 and 2021, according to the CDC.
Methamphetamine-involved overdose deaths increased from 5,526 in 2015 to more than 32,500 in 2021, a nearly 6x increase. (CDC, Drug Overdose Surveillance Data)
Texas has been particularly affected by methamphetamine trafficking. The state’s proximity to major smuggling corridors, combined with the proliferation of highly potent, low-cost “P2P meth” (methamphetamine produced via a phenyl-2-propanone synthesis route), has fueled both availability and rates of use disorder. Meth is now among the most commonly treated substances in Texas addiction programs.
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What Methamphetamine Does to the Brain
Methamphetamine produces its effects primarily by causing a massive surge of dopamine in the brain’s reward circuits, up to three times the dopamine release of cocaine. This produces an intense rush of euphoria, energy, and confidence. According to NIDA’s Methamphetamine Research Report, repeated meth use profoundly disrupts the brain’s dopamine system, causing long-term changes in the regions of the brain responsible for reward, emotion regulation, memory, and impulse control.
These neurological changes explain several of the most challenging aspects of meth use disorder: the intense anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure) during early recovery, the poor impulse control that drives relapse, and the cognitive difficulties, particularly with attention, memory, and decision-making, that can persist for months after cessation.
Signs and Symptoms of Methamphetamine Use Disorder
Meth use disorder has distinctive physical, psychological, and behavioral signs. The DEA’s profile of methamphetamine and NIDA’s research describe a range of signs including:
- Dramatic weight loss and decreased appetite
- Dental deterioration (“meth mouth”) from dry mouth, grinding, and poor hygiene
- Skin sores from compulsive picking, often related to formication (sensation of bugs under the skin)
- Paranoia, hallucinations, and psychosis, even in people with no prior psychiatric history
- Extreme energy and decreased sleep during use, followed by prolonged “crashing”
- Rapid mood cycling: euphoria during use, severe depression and anhedonia after
- Social withdrawal, secrecy, and progressive deterioration in relationships and functioning
Meth-induced psychosis deserves specific mention: it can be severe, indistinguishable from schizophrenia, and in some cases persists or recurs months after cessation, particularly in long-term, heavy users. Psychiatric evaluation is an essential component of treatment.
Meth Treatment at Shepherd Recovery Centers
No FDA-Approved Medication: Treatment Still Works
Unlike opioid use disorder, there is currently no FDA-approved medication for methamphetamine use disorder. However, research is advancing. A 2021 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that a combination of extended-release naltrexone and bupropion showed modest but statistically significant effectiveness in reducing meth use. At Shepherd, our clinical team stays current with evolving evidence and collaborates with prescribing clinicians when off-label pharmacological support may be appropriate.
Behavioral Therapy: The Primary Treatment
The most evidence-supported treatment for methamphetamine use disorder is behavioral therapy. NIDA’s Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment identify Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Contingency Management as the most effective approaches for stimulant use disorders. At Shepherd, CBT is the foundation of meth treatment, helping clients identify the thought patterns, triggers, and coping deficits that drive use, and building the skills needed to respond differently.
Treating Co-Occurring Conditions
Depression and anxiety during early meth recovery are nearly universal. Psychosis, paranoia, and cognitive difficulties are common. Our clinical team screens thoroughly for co-occurring psychiatric conditions at intake and integrates appropriate treatment, including psychiatric evaluation and medication management when clinically indicated, into the overall plan.
PHP and IOP for Meth Use Disorder
Given the cognitive and psychiatric complexity of meth use disorder, clients often benefit from beginning treatment at a more intensive level of care. Our PHP and IOP programs provide the structure, clinical contact, and peer support that meth recovery typically requires in its early stages.
Contingency Management, in which clients earn rewards for negative drug tests, is the most evidence-supported behavioral intervention for methamphetamine use disorder, with abstinence rates significantly higher than treatment as usual. (NIDA, Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment, 2018)
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We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all treatment. We meet clients where they are and walk alongside them toward sustainable recovery.
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Mental health recovery is a structured and ongoing process supported by professional expertise and consistent therapeutic engagement.
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Shepherd Recovery Centers offers a full continuum of outpatient substance abuse and mental health services, tailored to each individual’s needs.
Our outpatient model allows clients to remain engaged in work, family, and community while receiving professional care that drives real progress.
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If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, Shepherd Recovery Centers is ready to help. Our licensed clinical team serves Missouri City, Fort Bend County, and the greater Houston area. We accept most major insurance plans and can verify your benefits within 24 hours. The first call is confidential and carries no obligation.