New Zealand Drug Market for Meth and Cocaine Thriving

New Zealand is a beautiful place filled with natural and man-made marvels that can be a delight to behold. However, a sinister shadow has been recently cast over New Zealand. According to the US DEA drug enforcement agency, the New Zealand drug market has become the number one hot spot in the world for both meth and cocaine.

Why the New Zealand Drug Market?

It may seem odd that New Zealand is a hub for the drug industry, but this has a great deal to do with money. Drug sales, the money to be made from sales, have gained the attention of the major cartels in the world. Specifically, the Sinaloa Cartel seems to be targeting the New Zealand borders for drug trade and sales. One bust in particular found 110 kilos of methamphetamines being smuggled into the area in golf cart batteries.

As mentioned, money is a big motivator and New Zealanders pay the price for party drugs. As of 2018, Kiwis paid an average of $360 for a single gram of cocaine. This is about four times what those in America said they paid for the same amount. This is in part due to the smaller population of the area, but strict border control also raises the price. This also drives the rates of meth use as it can be created from items that are easier to obtain in the country. However, for those wanting cocaine, it can be tough and expensive to come by without any assurance that what is sold is safe or pure.

Cocaine Use

While meth may be growing in popularity, cocaine is still a favorite of users in New Zealand. Unfortunately, neither are safe for short or long term use. While cocaine addiction may not be as instantaneous as meth addiction, it can still happen quickly. This is because both have related short term effects that include:

Energy
Euphoria
Extreme sensitivity to sound, touch, and sights
Anger
Irritability
Paranoia
Decreased appetite

Someone who is energetic, does not need to eat or sleep, and can seemingly feel things deeply, will not want to stop. The same is true of meth, however, cocaine is a fast acting short term high where as meth tends to stay in the system longer with stronger effects over time.

Long Term Effects of Cocaine and Meth

While the short term effects are not necessarily horrible, the long term effects can be both permanent and deadly. These include:

Headaches or migraines
Convulsions or seizures
Heart attack, disease, or stroke
Sexual dysfunction
Psychological and mood issues
Lung damage
HIV and Hepatitis (from sharing or reusing needles)
Bowel decay
Trouble swallowing
Loss of smell
Nosebleeds (from snorting)

Drug Use

Both meth and cocaine can be snorted, smoked, or injected. While all forms are dangerous, injected either substance puts the user at higher risk. This is especially true for those that share needles as infections are easily passed through the needle. Injection sites can also get infected and cause problems throughout the body that are not easily treated, even if the user does seek treatment. Those using meth are more likely to pick at the skin which spreads the infection further.

Seeking Treatment

Though New Zealand has far from cornered the market for cocaine and methamphetamine purchases or production, there is still a need for proper treatment for those who are addicted. DARA offers an excellent resource for those with any type of addiction. The best part is there are several facilities within Australia. These are located in Sydney, Brisbane, Auckland, and Melbourne.

DARA’s Treatment

DARA is unique in that each individual who enters the in-patient facility is given an individualized treatment plan. While the overall treatment is the same for everyone, the specifics are designed to help each addict in the way they most need.

Mind

This is accomplished with a focus on the mind, body, and spirit for each patient in the affordable, resort style facility. For the mind, the use of cognitive behavioral therapy in group and individual settings. Cognitive behavioral therapy, most often called CBT, helps individuals to trace their thinking to behaviors and feelings. Knowing how certain thoughts lead to specific actions can help an individual break the thought pattern. These are patterns that are often involved in addiction. This is also helpful once a person goes back to their real life as triggers will come up and need to be avoided or the thought patterns around them altered to a healthier action.

DARA can help each individual identify their triggers and thought patterns to lead a healthier life after rehab. To further help heal the mind, DARA offers education classes about addiction so that the basic principles are better understood by the user.

Spirit

As for the spirit, religion is not a part of the DARA rehab program, but time spent in meditation and relaxation is included. Time is set aside daily to simply relax and consider a new life outside of the rehab facility. Learning to relax is an important skill as once the time at rehab has ended, stressful events often lead to relapse. Practicing these techniques can be one way to prevent relapse in the future.

Body

DARA makes physical wellness a priority as well. This comes in different forms that include a personal trainer for each patient and massages that are offered three times a week. Additionally, personalized times of recreation and proper nutrition are provided as a way to help the body heal from the inside out. Addiction tends to take precedence over self-care for the addict. This means the body suffers. This can be extreme with cocaine and meth use in any form. DARA seeks to help rebuild the body so it can continue to heal itself following a rehab stay.

Contact DARA

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