Law enforcement agencies have reported an uptick in methamphetamine seizures along the Interstate‑25 corridor, highlighting growing concerns about trafficking and drug use in Colorado. In one recent case, Colorado Springs police recovered 107.2 pounds of meth during a traffic stop on I‑25.
These I‑25 meth seizures reflect growing concern among law enforcement and public health officials about trafficking routes, availability of crystal meth in Colorado, and the toll being taken by addiction and overdose on Colorado residents and guests.
These seizures indicate that while fentanyl dominates headlines and remains a serious concern, methamphetamine remains a persistent threat to citizens and visitors alike.
Rural Colorado Communities Hit Hardest by Crystal Meth Addiction
Methamphetamine gained popularity in Colorado in the late 1990s when many small-scale labs were found across the state, particularly in rural communities. The drug likely became popular because it was cheap, easy to produce, and had a long-lasting high.
Since at least 2015, meth has become the primary drug of use for a growing share of people entering treatment programs. According to the Colorado Department of Human Services, 31% of individuals in treatment in 2015 listed meth as their primary drug.
Currently, law enforcement and many treatment organizations consider meth use in the state to be at “crisis” levels, with deaths from meth overdose in Colorado steadily rising.
Symptoms and Health Risks of Meth Addiction
Crystal meth is a powerful central nervous system stimulant. Smoking, snorting, or injecting the substance produdes intense euphoria, energy, wakefulness, and decreased appetite. It is often created in labs both domestically and across the border.
The most serious health risk is overdose. In recent years, methamphetamine‑related overdose deaths in Colorado have increased significantly, outpacing many other drugs. Overdose can involve heart attack or stroke, hyperthermia, seizures, neurotoxicity and other issues.
Other serious health issues associated with meth use include:
- Psychosis
- Intense paranoia
- Anxiety and depression
- Damage to blood vessels and circulatory organs
- Severe tooth decay and gum disease, also known as “meth mouth”
- Seizures
- Sleep deprivation
- Extreme weight loss
- Skin sores
- Muscle breakdown
Symptoms of Meth Addiction
Symptoms of meth addiction may start subtly and worsen over time as addiction deepens. Psychological symptoms include intense desire for the substance, wanting to quit and being unable to, paranoia, delusions, and aggression.
Behavioral symptoms include social withdrawal, engaging in risky behaviors, the neglect of responsibilities, and sudden financial problems.
Physical symptoms can include rapid weight loss, severe tooth decay, sores or scabs often on the face and arms, twitching, and poor hygiene.
If you or someone you love is exhibiting any of these symptoms, it may be time for treatment.
Treatment For Meth Addiction in Colorado
If you or someone you love is addicted to methamphetamine in Colorado, it may be time to consider professional drug treatment. Stopping the use of meth is essential of course, but treatment goes far beyond detox to manage this deadly disease and help to heal its root causes.
Lasting recovery from addiction almost always requires comprehensive treatment and support. Meth addiction deeply affects not just the body, but also the brain, emotions, habits, and thinking patterns. Long-term meth treatment requires addressing all of these areas, not just physical dependency.
When someone stops using meth, their brain doesn’t immediately return to normal. Meth use damages the brain’s reward system and can lead to lasting problems with memory, decision-making, and impulse control. Without proper mental health treatment, these issues often remain unaddressed, increasing the risk of relapse.
Meth addiction also often coexists with mental health disorders like anxiety, depression, or PTSD. These underlying conditions can drive someone to use meth in the first place and can resurface once the drug is out of their system. Without treating these co-occurring disorders, it becomes much harder to stay sober.
How Meth Treatment Works
Treatment works by healing and managing the underlying issues and behaviors that caused the addiction in the first place, paired with mechanisms and therapies to change habits for good.
Treatment most often starts with a medical detox, where the patient is supervised by a medical professional for safety while they receive comfort medications. Once detox is complete, patients can enter into intense therapy and coaching sessions to help people change their thoughts and behaviors and build coping skills.
After this intense phase of treatment is complete, ongoing support is critical. Support groups, peer mentoring, sober living, continuing therapy, family and community involvement are all used to keep those in recovery from relapsing.
Is Someone You Love Addicted to Meth? Recover Colorado Can Help!
If you’re looking for treatment for methamphetamine or addiction to other substances, Recover Colorado is here to help. We used evidence-based treatments to help those who are addicted to substances like meth to get sober and stay that way.
If you or someone you know needs treatment, call us today. We can be reached at (888) 695-5407 and are looking forward to taking your call.
Sources:
Colorado Drug Threat Assessment: Methamphetamine. National Drug Intelligence Center.
Overcoming Meth Addiction: Helping People Take a Step Toward Recovery. University of Colorado.