VIDEO: Combating Meth Addiction

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – When we turn on the news or pick up a newspaper we often see mug shots of people arrested for possession, selling, or using some type of illegal drug.

“The first step is admitting there’s a problem, wanting to get help for it and reaching out for help,”says Chemical Dependency Counselor at Cady Hill Lidia George.

Methamphetamine is a highly addictive stimulant that can be smoked, injected, inhaled or taken by mouth.

Lidia George, a Chemical Dependency Counselor at Cady Hill says it’s only getting worse.

“There is an epidemic with meth and I find it particularly in the small rural areas. I would say at this point most of our clients are coming in struggling with a meth addiction,” said George.

Palm Health Care Company released a survey showing that Meth was responsible for more than 300 overdose deaths last year alone.

For many other addicts the road ends somewhere else.

“Consequences are you can at least get 5 years in prison. You’ll serve five years suspended sentence and five years on probation that way if you get in trouble again they can pull that suspended sentence up and put the other years back on there,” said Webster County Sheriff Tim Mitchell.

The damage can be widespread.

“Listen! it affects the entire family it’s not just the person using the drugs it destroys families particularly here at the holidays is a very difficult time for people struggling with addiction but it mainly usually takes them to the level of not having a home breaking up marriages relationships leaving children with DHS no food, no money for food, everything goes to the meth,” said George.

George has been a counselor for seven years. But for her the battle isn’t just professional. It’s also personal.

“Today I have 13 years clean. I sought treatment back in 1994 and it’s difficult. It’s a difficult thing to do for some reason we’re more comfortable living in that life style. I think the drugs are really a symptom of the problem,” said George.

For more information on how to combat meth addiction for you or a loved one visit https://www.rehab.com/pines-and-cady-hills-treatment-center/5214507-r