Author: John Carter

Meth Withdrawal: Symptoms, Duration, Coping Tips, and More

Addiction specialists may instead use medication to provide relief of withdrawal symptoms from meth. Treatment may ease the mood symptoms and prevent short-term physical symptoms like tremors, nausea or vomiting. At Profound, we offer those going through the crystal meth/opiate withdrawal process a safe environment in which to recover. The right treatment involves supervision from health care providers who can get you the care you need in the case of a medical emergency. This article will discuss methamphetamine dependence, withdrawal symptoms, the safety and dangers of methamphetamine detox, and how to access treatment for meth addiction. Sunshine Behavioral Health strives to help people who are facing substance abuse, addiction, mental health disorders, or a combination of these conditions.

If a person who is addicted to meth tries to stop abruptly, they might experience withdrawal symptoms that could make it difficult to quit. The primary physical symptoms of meth withdrawal are sleep problems along with painful headaches. During initial withdrawal, people may spend most of their time catching up on food and sleep. Appetite and sleep patterns usually return to normal after a few months without meth. For many, it is physiological symptoms — anhedonia and the resultant depression — that cause relapse as they seek relief from the emotional distress.

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They can also develop rhabdomyolysis (rhabdo), a condition in which the kidneys can’t filter exercise-related cellular material from the blood. This can lead to permanent kidney damage, disability, and even death. Some laxatives are known as stool softeners because they soften fecal matter and promote bowel movements. Depending on the type, they can be taken rectally or orally, but people should use them with caution.

These feelings, called withdrawal, can last from several days to a few weeks. The meth withdrawal process can be daunting, causing people to feel depressed or even lack emotions. When a person is attempting to quit, whether it is cold turkey or even gradually,  withdrawal results.

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Medical detox treatment makes the process safe because patients detox under the supervision of a doctor. They also employ mental health counselors to provide a wide range of behavioral therapies. Meth withdrawal at home is a challenging and potentially risky process. Professional medical supervision is the safest and most effective approach to overcoming meth addiction. However, some individuals may still consider home remedies for meth withdrawal due to financial constraints, privacy concerns, or the desire to avoid formal treatment settings.

People may experience intense cravings to consume meth and other drug and alcohol substances when detoxing. This cold turkey meth detox period often leads them to search for home remedies. However, it is important to know that home remedies for meth withdrawal do not have evidence of working effectively for recovery. This means they are not the best option, as you don’t have proper substance abuse treatment for the severe withdrawal symptoms you experience.

1. But meth withdrawals can also be of a mental and behavioral nature.
2. This process may serve as a personal milestone for those who complete the experience.
3. Treatment support can be vital in preventing meth addiction relapse.
4. Like all addicting substances, a meth detox comes with unavoidable withdrawal symptoms that can be mentally and physically uncomfortable.

It involves the use of tiny needles, placed around the body in order to manipulate or release energy (“chi”) from “pressure points” around the body. While some have reported increased mood or relaxation after this procedure, it is not supported by medical science for drug recovery. It is most likely attributed to the placebo effect, which can be achieved via other methods. For most individuals, addiction recovery should be done in a detox center that works to rehab the patient over time, instead of alone in their own homes. Methamphetamine, also known as meth or crystal meth, is an illegal drug that creates additional dopamine in the brain.

He also notes that there isn’t a lot of human data regarding what happens during meth withdrawal, which makes it hard to give a general timeline. Being nervous or anxious is a common symptom of withdrawal from substance abuse. This helps put your attention on positive thoughts instead of aches, pains, and anxious thoughts — helping with the mental recovery aspect. If you or a loved one are in search of addiction treatment services for a meth addiction, call our free helpline to discuss enrollment at Bedrock today.

Is Meth Detox Dangerous?

Many people also experience paranoia, hallucinations, anxiety and insomnia. The same 2011 study found that participants slept a lot in the first few days of not using meth and reported higher post-sleep refreshment. Yet the overall quality of sleep, measured by the length of time it takes you to fall asleep and the number of times you wake up, remained low even after 3 weeks had passed. If a person is going through any opiate withdrawal, they should be very conscious of any medications they are taking, as well as hydrating to ease the symptoms. The total amount of time meth will stay in your system depends on several factors, including your body mass, age, and how much you took.

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They’ll also make sure it won’t interact with any other medications you take. Older adults or people who’ve used meth for a long time may experience more severe, longer-lasting symptoms. Here’s a closer look at meth withdrawal, including how long it lasts and how to manage it. Detox programs support you through this challenging process and help you get through to the other side in a confidential, judgment-free setting. Quitting meth on your own, especially after long-term use, can feel impossible due to the intense cravings that come along with withdrawal. This means you can pass a drug test (other than a hair test) in as little as four days after your last use, but that doesn’t mean you’ve recovered from substance abuse.

METH WITHDRAWAL: A TEDIOUS BUT NECESSARY PROCESS

Detoxing from methamphetamine at home is possible, but it is not the safest method of detoxification. Other mental and emotional aspects could be linked to a psychological need to use the drug or to other withdrawal symptoms. For example, stomach issues and joint pain can make any depression you might be experiencing worse. Because education is one way to build a foundation for that first step, understanding the stages of meth withdrawal can be important for anyone who is trying to quit. This may feel like an isolated struggle, but around 1.6 million people in the United States have used meth in the past year.

Detoxing from meth makes you feel less energetic, even though the additional “energy” you had when taking the drug was false. Join 40,000+ People Who Receive Our Newsletter Get valuable resources on addiction, recovery, wellness, and our treatments delivered directly to your inbox. If you are asked to take a drug test, the test will check for various metabolites that signal drug use, including those related to meth. You also need to factor in your body’s metabolites from processing meth. Specific metabolites can be linked to meth use, and they can stay in the system for months after your last meth dose.

There are a number of holistic or alternative methods that you can employ to help safely treat drug cravings and minimize the risky side effects of domestic methamphetamine detox. Detox alone is rarely enough to help someone resist the urge to return to drug use. Treatment support can be vital in preventing meth addiction relapse. The information above is general in nature, and it’s important to remember that everyone is different.

We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers. Dehydration often accompanies the withdrawal process, which can be dangerous.

Over-the-counter products are not safe for long-term use and can lead to dependency and decreased bowel function. A seventeen-year-old high school athlete who competed in football and track died after drinking two gallons of water and two gallons of a sports drink. After drinking the beverages, he suffered from cramps and confusion. Although he was transported to a hospital by helicopter, relatives said that he died from massive brain swelling. Additionally, there should be a doctor, nurse, friend or family member present for the withdrawal process.