Meth Withdrawal: Symptoms, Timeline, and Detox Treatment for Meth Addiction

During the acute phase, patients getting an inpatient level of care had withdrawal symptoms such as increased sleeping and eating. To recover from meth misuse, the first step is stopping meth. Stopping meth use will result in having withdrawal symptoms (the effects of stopping or reducing use). Personal physiology and environment are also important factors for meth withdrawal.

Detox centers and rehabilitation facilities provide around-the-clock medical supervision to those undergoing detoxification. Nurses and doctors on staff will ensure you are adequately hydrated and have the proper nutrients, allowing you to detox healthily and safely. We know that peace of mind is critical as you approach this change in your life. That’s why we work to provide a comprehensive evaluation and understand all the mitigating factors you may have in dealing with withdrawals. We help you manage those symptoms alongside other physical or mental health concerns while striving for sobriety now and in the future.

Methamphetamine Research Report

Taking meth typically produces a rush of pleasurable feelings. For instance, you might feel energized, confident, and more alert than usual. Immediately after smoking or injecting meth, there is a sensation of extreme pleasure or “rush” that can last up to 20 minutes. This rush leads to feelings of being powerful, clever, smart, and funny.

For example, a 2014 study published in Frontiers in Neuroscience suggested that meth use weakens the immune system and speeds up the development of AIDS after contracting HIV. Using methamphetamine increases a person’s risk of contracting infectious diseases. People who use meth are more likely to participate in unsafe behaviors, such as having unprotected sex or sharing contaminated needles.

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This pattern of abuse can more quickly lead to drug dependence and addiction. These strategies can assist those in recovery to maintain abstinence. If you have experienced a relapse, please contact a meth hotline. An admissions representative will offer advice and walk you through your options for additional rehab treatment.

The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) reports overall drug overdose deaths among New Mexico residents increased from 491 in 2017 to 537 in 2018. It is notable that this increase is largely due to methamphetamine overdose deaths. Additionally, there should be a doctor, nurse, friend or family member present for the withdrawal process. But meth withdrawals can also be of a mental and behavioral nature. Some of the mood changes that occur with meth withdrawal are because of the changes going on in your body.

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People can recover from certain long-term effects of meth when they quit using the drug. Other effects may be permanent meth addiction or take years to recover from. This makes the body more vulnerable to the effects of infectious diseases.

  • You may receive a voucher or other reward in exchange for drug-free urine samples.
  • Ongoing meth use can lead to mild to severe withdrawal symptoms once you stop taking the drug.
  • When a recovering addict is tempted to call and hang out with drug-using pals, this impulse must be controlled because it could easily trigger a relapse.
  • They may go back to old neighborhoods where they used to engage in meth use, which can lead to relapse.

Many addiction professionals believe recovery is never truly finished. The Recovery Village helps clients develop a personalized plan to address individual symptoms, underlying issues and life circumstances for long-term recovery. That means your body is so used to the drug’s impact that it’s not sure how to function without it. The signature physical symptoms of withdrawal and use are typically itching ‘meth mites’, dental hygiene and open sores. Some people recover from major depressive or psychotic symptoms within weeks of abstinence. People who recover from meth psychosis may experience recurring psychotic symptoms during stressful or traumatic situations.

They’ll also make sure it won’t interact with any other medications you take. You’ll definitely want to consider consulting a medical professional first if you also intend to stop using other substances you’ve been mixing with meth. This is especially important for alcohol, GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate), GBL (gamma butyrolactone), or benzodiazepines, as these can be dangerous to stop using on your own.

  • Before you begin detox, you’ll undergo an initial assessment and screening tests for other medical conditions.
  • Available in many different forms, meth can be smoked, snorted, injected or ingested orally.

These feelings, called withdrawal, can last from several days to a few weeks. During this stage of meth recovery, individuals are particularly vulnerable to relapse. They also find little pleasure in life and experience low energy, difficulty concentrating, irritability and insomnia. But over time and with help and support, people learn new skills to overcome meth abuse and discover new life interests. If your loved one displays the symptoms of a substance use disorder, your relationship is  likely affected by their substance misuse in multiple ways, including emotionally, physically, and financially. You may even find yourself interacting with them in a manner that is called codependency.

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Tapering is the process of lowering the dosage slowly over time. Meth works by increasing the amount of dopamine — the neurotransmitter that controls feelings of pleasure — in the brain. When the drug is removed, dopamine drops below natural levels, and the resulting loss of enjoyment is distressing. Methamphetamine withdrawal is usually an unpleasant experience. Fatigue may set in first, followed by overwhelming feelings of depression. Many people also experience paranoia, hallucinations, anxiety and insomnia.

meth addiction recovery

For the first time, researchers say they have found a medical treatment that helps some people trying to recover from meth addiction. The study was published today in the New England Journal of Medicine. Researchers say they have identified the first medical treatment that shows promise in helping some people recovering from methamphetamine addiction. People in recovery might still feel the effects of past meth abuse. To treat tooth decay or gum disease caused by meth use, it is important to visit a dentist as soon as possible. Although we cannot tell you the perfect time or way to leave a spouse suffering from a substance use disorder, speaking with a trained mental health professional, such as a therapist, might offer you more insight.