When a person has a methamphetamine addiction, they are compelled to take the drug over and over again. They may suffer adverse effects as a direct result of their drug use, but with an addiction, the urge to use meth will be uncontrollable.
One of the adverse effects of methamphetamine addiction is dependence, which is when a person’s mind and body become dependent on the presence of meth to function. This dependence can also lead to withdrawal symptoms when a person stops taking methamphetamine for whatever reason.
Luxe Recovery- Home is a world-class treatment center that supports all recovery phases, from assessment to aftercare.
What Is Meth Detox?
Drug detox is a vital part of the early phases of treatment. When detoxing from meth, a person will purge their body of all the meth and other drugs in their system. For some drugs, it may be best to detox at home and taper off drug use until it gets to zero.
This may not be the case with methamphetamine. Withdrawal symptoms from meth can be complicated and may require immediate medical attention, so it might be best to go to a specialized medical detox center to have a medical team supervise the process.
What Is Meth Withdrawal?
Meth withdrawal is what happens when someone who has been affected by methamphetamine addiction stops using meth, such as when they go through detox or are unable to acquire more meth. This can encompass a wide range of physical and psychological symptoms, making the process quite distressing.
Why Do Crystal Meth Withdrawal Symptoms Occur?
Meth withdrawal occurs because the use of meth can cause changes in a person’s brain chemistry as it triggers a major release of dopamine. When meth use stops, the brain may struggle to function without the drug.
Meth can also cause a person to feel a sense of euphoria. This can lead to psychological dependence and result in intense cravings and emotional instability when drug use is ceased.
What Are the Symptoms of Meth Withdrawal?
The symptoms of meth withdrawal are generally the opposite of the effects of taking meth, and this is true of most drugs. For meth, as it is a stimulant that can increase energy, fatigue can be a symptom of withdrawal.
Other withdrawal symptoms can include anxiety, depression, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. Physical symptoms may include body aches and headaches. Some people may also have a muted ability to feel pleasure. In severe cases, a person may suffer from psychosis and see and hear things that aren’t there, as well as becoming paranoid and delusional. Drug cravings will also be present throughout the withdrawal process.
The severity of these withdrawal symptoms can be determined by how long a person’s drug addiction has been ongoing. A more prolonged addiction will result in more severe symptoms, especially when paired with heavy meth use.
How to Manage Meth Withdrawal Symptoms
One of the most important ways to manage withdrawal symptoms is to have medical supervision. The care team can offer support to intervene when some of the worst withdrawal symptoms manifest.
Some of these symptoms can linger long after treatment, so medication and therapy may be necessary to manage them. Healthy lifestyle choices such as eating a balanced diet, managing stress, and exercising regularly can also help manage withdrawal symptoms.
Meth Withdrawal Timeline
Withdrawing from methamphetamine use does not happen all at once. Days 1 to 3 will be the initial crash, and symptoms can begin to appear around 24 hours after the last use of meth. Acute withdrawal can last between 7 to 10 days, though most symptoms will generally subside at this time. In some cases, acute withdrawal can last up to 2 weeks after the last use of meth.
Protracted withdrawal can last 2 to 3 weeks after the acute phase and can involve many of the symptoms of the acute phase, though they will typically be less severe.
Signs and Symptoms of Meth Addiction
Several behavioral changes can indicate that a person is addicted to meth. One is that they may withdraw from their family and friends and instead spend time with other meth users. Another sign is that meth can become their highest priority, and they may neglect their health and family and work in favor of using meth or acquiring more of the drug.
Effects of Meth Addiction
Meth addiction can have a number of effects on a person. Psychologically, a person can develop anxiety, depression, and psychosis as a result of their use of the drug. These conditions may linger after meth use and may require long-term support to recover from or manage.
Meth can also suppress a person’s appetite, so many people can often end up losing dramatic amounts of weight, which can eventually result in malnutrition.
Many meth users can also become vulnerable to infectious diseases as the drug can weaken a user’s immune system, cause them to neglect their hygiene, and facilitate the spread of infectious disease through sharing needles.
Meth Addiction Treatment
Treating meth addiction will often require a combination of behavioral therapies, social support, individual counseling, and medication. Patients with severe substance use disorders may benefit from the intensive care that can be found in residential treatment.
Manage Methamphetamine Withdrawal Symptoms at Luxe Recovery
The consequences of meth addiction can warp someone’s mind and body so much that they may not be able to recognize themselves anymore.
But, with a personalized, multifaceted treatment plan, a person can overcome meth addiction and reclaim who they used to be before the drug got a hold of them. At contact -Luxe Recovery, we help people get on the road to recovery so they can find their way back to themselves.
