Drug And Alcohol Addiction In Moreno Valley, California
Moreno Valley, the second-largest city in Riverside County, endures high rates of substance abuse and drug trafficking. Keeping with national trends, the rates of overdoses in Riverside County are increasing with every year. From 2016-2018, the county had 17.5 drug-related deaths per 100,000 people. This is much higher compared to California’s rate of 13.1 per 100,000 people. Like many cities in California, the substances of greatest concern in Moreno Valley are Meth, Heroin and prescription Opioids.
With the rise in drug-related deaths in Moreno Valley and throughout Riverside County, there are multiple treatment center options in and near the city. The state of California is home to over 25 treatment facilities for substance abuse, so some travel may be required to reach the center that best fits an individual.
Drug Trafficking In Moreno Valley
The largest domestic seizure of Methamphetamine in the history of the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) took place in Moreno Valley and Perris, California. The DEA found 2,224 pound of Meth, nearly 900 pounds of Cocaine, and 13 pounds of Heroin. Many of the county’s drugs are trafficked using Interstate 10. At one point, Interstate 10 was shut down in Riverside County due to a half-pound of Meth seized by officials. In a separate case, a Moreno Valley trucker carried $2.9 million in drug profits and 305 pounds of Cocaine in previous years.
Warning Signs Of Meth Abuse
If you are concerned that someone you love in Moreno Valley is addicted to Meth, it is important to know the warning signs. The crystal-like drug can be smoked, snorted, injected, or taken orally. Since it is a highly addictive chemical, it doesn’t take long for someone to become addicted to Meth. People often crave the intense euphoria Meth releases, and before they realize it, they are deeply attached to the high Meth creates.
Warning signs of Meth abuse include:
- Extreme aging
- Twitching
- Tooth decay
- Loss of teeth
- Needle marks in arms
- Dilated pupils
- Weight loss
- Hyperactivity
- Scabbed skin
Side effects can be more subtle than the warning signs of Meth abuse. Long-term effects are death, heart and brain disease, psychosis and depression. Additionally, individuals who inject Meth are at risk of health conditions like HIV and hepatitis C.
Meth Use And Strange Behavior
One of the greatest concerns Meth causes among Moreno Valley law enforcement and mental health professionals is the behavior associated with Meth use. Continued Methamphetamine use often produces strange behavior due to brain damage. A survey notes 40% of individuals who use Meth experience psychotic symptoms. These symptoms are usually:
- Hallucinations
- Delusions
- Isolation
- Aggression
- Paranoid behavior
Visual and auditory hallucinations are common with those who heavily use Meth. To illustrate the severity of hallucinations, someone who has used Meth long-term may feel they are touching an object that doesn’t exist. In some cases, they may see things that aren’t there. In rare cases, they may hear things that do not exist.
There are numerous reports of individuals who use Meth picking at their skin because they thought bugs were crawling under their skin. This form of a tactile hallucination is known as “Meth bugs” or “Meth mites.” Some people have injured themselves with sharp objects- determined to get the bugs out of their skin.
Lastly, delusions and obsessions happen often because of using Meth. People suffering with Meth abuse may feel someone is out to get them, undergoing symptoms of paranoia. Sadly, the effects of Meth psychosis may not be reversible without treatment, therapy and medication.
Break free from addiction.
You have options. Talk about them with a treatment provider today.
Get Help In Moreno Valley Today
Although some have attempted an at home detox from Meth or other drugs, going cold turkey at home is not advised. An individual may have unpredictable symptoms and need medical assistance. In some cases, people attempting at home detoxes may not follow through with weening themselves off. If you or someone you love are struggling with meth use, contact a treatment provider today.
