Meth, short for methamphetamine, is a potent and highly addictive nervous system stimulant. Under the Controlled Substances Act, meth is classified as a Schedule II drug, which means that it has some valid medical use but also comes with a high potential for misuse.
Indeed, meth use is quite high, with the National Institute on Drug Abuse reporting that around 2.5 million people used meth in 2021. This represents nearly 1 percent of all people over 12 in the United States. Meth addiction can have major mental and physical effects on a person’s body.
But meth addiction is a treatable condition, and Luxe Recovery can offer the treatment that is needed to recover from meth use and maintain sobriety.
What is Methamphetamine Detox?
Meth detox is the process by which a person purges all the meth from their body. This can be an uncomfortable process due to the possibility of methamphetamine withdrawal, which can bring with it several uncomfortable symptoms.
Despite the discomfort that may come with it, the detox process is still an important part of a person’s recovery as it prepares many meth users for the other parts of their treatment programs.
There are two ways to detox. One is to taper off use slowly, as this can ease the withdrawal process, making symptoms less severe. It can even avert some of them. This process can take weeks, if not longer.
Another way to detox from meth is to check into a specialized treatment center to stop using meth. This has the advantage of having a team of healthcare professionals around to help address the mental and physical symptoms of meth withdrawal.
What to Expect During Crystal Meth Detox
A detox program isn’t as simple as someone just stopping their use of meth. This process can come in several phases, such as:
Evaluation
The first part of any treatment plan is an evaluation. During this part of the treatment, the care team will work closely with a patient to understand their nuances, struggles, and goals. This will allow them to personalize their approach to treatment.
Stabilization
During this phase, symptoms may begin to appear. The care team will then address the physical and psychological symptoms of methamphetamine withdrawal and help stabilize the patient.
Transition Into Another Treatment
Once a person completes their detox program, they transition into other treatments. This can often be the patient checking into an inpatient treatment facility where they will receive intensive treatment for meth addiction as well as continuous monitoring to ensure their safety.
Meth Withdrawal Symptoms and Timeline
Meth withdrawal doesn’t happen all at once. Symptoms begin to appear within 24 to 48 hours after the last use of meth. This period is marked by extreme fatigue and excessive sleep. In some cases, a person may suffer depression and anxiety symptoms. This part of the withdrawal timeline is often referred to as a ‘crash.’
During the next 3 to 10 days after the last use of meth, the physical symptoms will reach their apex, and psychological effects such as depression and anxiety will continue.
Additional symptoms of withdrawal, such as mood swings, irritability, and confusion, are also possible during this part of the meth withdrawal timeline.
2 to 3 weeks after the last use of meth, symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and irritability reach their peak. A person will continue to have intense cravings for meth, but physical symptoms will generally begin to subside. Memory and concentration may also improve at this time.
After about a month since the last use of meth, most symptoms will have subsided, and a person can return to their normal level of functionality. However, symptoms such as anxiety or depression can linger for months or even years afterwards, as can cravings for the drug.
Is It Possible to Detox From Meth Without Rehab?
As mentioned previously, outpatient meth detox is possible. The process is slow, but it can be appealing for those who want to mitigate or avert withdrawal symptoms.
With outpatient detox, a person will continue to use meth, but they’ll use less of it and less frequently. Eventually, their use of meth will get to zero, and they’ll be able to move on to other aspects of treatment.
It’s important to regularly check in with healthcare professionals during this process. These care providers can adjust a person’s treatment if needed.
During this time, a person who is detoxing may also benefit from going to therapy and joining a support group.
Treatment for Meth Addiction
Treating an addiction to meth is possible, and it generally requires a multifaceted approach. Some of the treatment options to help a person get sober from meth may include:
Individual Therapy
Individual therapy can be incredibly beneficial for treating a person’s addiction to meth. Therapy sessions can offer a person a safe space where they can talk about their struggles, delve into the root causes of their addiction, and develop healthy coping strategies for their urge to use drugs.
Group Therapy
Group therapy can be another important tool in helping someone through a meth addiction. Social support is important, and group therapy can provide a patient with a community of people with similar struggles. They can also be places to use the skills developed during individual therapy in a real-world scenario.
Family Therapy
Speaking of social support, a person needs to have support from family and friends as well. While loved ones may not have the same understanding of addiction and recovery as members of a support group, family programs can still educate them and can become allies in a person’s treatment and recovery.
We Provide Meth Addiction Treatment at Luxe Recovery
Addiction is a medical condition. It cannot be cured, but it can be managed. The recovery process can be long and hard, and the first step in the journey can be particularly difficult.
However, at Luxe Recovery, we’ll help make that step as painless as it can be, and our dedicated team of professionals will guide you through every step of your recovery journey so you can retake control of your life from drug addiction. Contact us, and we can help you start treatment for you or a loved one.
