Quitting methamphetamine can exist difficult and dangerous. Medical detox is a rubber and constructive method to begin habit treatment and overcome meth's withdrawal symptoms.

Methamphetamine (also known as "crystal meth") is an extremely addictive drug. If a person uses it more in one case or twice, they have a high chance of developing an habit. Once a person becomes dependent, the body will become into withdrawal if they effort to quit. Meth withdrawal symptoms may manifest during or after detox, which is the process of the body metabolizing and removing it.

During detox, meth withdrawal symptoms are often uncomfortable experiences, and they are typically a significant reason people cannot quit meth on their own. Non only is withdrawal unpleasant, but the symptoms can be dangerous to a person's health. Medical detox treatment makes the process condom considering patients detox under the supervision of a doctor.

Meth withdrawal symptoms tin be concrete, mental or behavioral. They can be intense, lasting for days or even weeks. Many factors decide the length of withdrawal symptoms, including the amount of time the person has been addicted.

Article at a Glance:

  • The symptoms of meth withdrawal begin about 24 hours after the concluding usage.
  • Meth withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, hallucinations, paranoia and indisposition.
  • Although meth withdrawal symptoms aren't usually fatal, they tin can be unsafe due to dehydration.
  • Stopping meth on your own without medical rehab is very challenging.
  • Meth detox takes about 50 hours and is best accomplished under the supervision of a professional person.

Meth Withdrawal Symptoms & Timeline

Methamphetamine withdrawal is normally an unpleasant experience. Symptoms begin effectually 24 hours after the terminal dose. Fatigue may set in first, followed by overwhelming feelings of depression. Many people as well feel paranoia, hallucinations, feet and indisposition.

Meth works by increasing the corporeality 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.

Long-term meth utilize may subtract the number of dopamine receptors in brain cells, making it difficult for the individual to experience pleasure, even if normal dopamine levels return. Many people who quit using meth experience this status, called anhedonia. Anhedonia can continue for upwardly to two years after a person stops the drug.

For many, information technology is physiological symptoms — anhedonia and the resultant depression — that causes relapse as they seek relief from the emotional distress. The psychological dependence resulting from prolonged meth employ is powerful, so the person in withdrawal will oft feel an intense craving for the drug.

The chief concrete symptoms of meth withdrawal are fatigue and lethargy, along with painful headaches. Meth suppresses both ambition and sleep. During initial withdrawal, people may spend well-nigh of their time catching upward on nutrient and sleep. People may gain a significant amount of weight at this time. Ambition and sleep patterns usually return to normal after a few months without meth.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Methamphetamine Withdrawal

  • Aggression
  • Anxiety
  • Confusion
  • Depression
  • Extreme hunger
  • Fatigue or farthermost tiredness
  • Hallucinations, or seeing or hearing things that are non there
  • Headaches
  • Loss of pleasance
  • Trouble sleeping or sleeping likewise much

Meth Withdrawal Timeline

How long does meth withdrawal last? The three main portions of withdrawal are the crash, cravings and recovery. Methamphetamine withdrawal is a slow, hard, but enormously valuable process. It may last upward to 40 weeks.

Infographic describing the timeline for meth withdrawal

Phase 1:

The first 3–10 days of withdrawal is the "crash" period. This period includes a abrupt pass up in energy and cognitive function. Low is common during this phase. In some cases, people volition experience hallucinations, paranoia and anxiety. Cravings are typically depression at this time considering a person usually spends a lot of fourth dimension sleeping during the crash phase.

Phase two:

The 2d stage begins with intense cravings. Having gotten through the initial crash, many people in the early stages of recovery showtime to desire the intense loftier that meth provides. Due to the euphoria that the drug offers, consumption is a continuous temptation. Many people feel powerless after they stop using the drug, and will seek to use it once more to regain the feeling. This stage can last upwardly to 10 weeks and oftentimes includes depression and insomnia.

Phase 3:

The third phase of meth withdrawal is when meth cravings begin to fade, becoming less frequent and less strong, forming an ideal opportunity to begin recovery. It is best to maintain in an surroundings where you are prophylactic and have others around to aid agree yous answerable. This stage can last for 30 weeks and, in some cases, much longer. Every bit a general rule, the longer it has been since you accept used meth, the easier it volition be for you to stay sober.

Many factors affect the withdrawal experience. Starting time, those who have taken meth for longer periods of time will usually withdraw for longer. Higher regular doses of meth affect the length of withdrawal in the same manner.

Personal physiology and environment are also important factors for meth withdrawal. People with substance use disorder (or family unit history) are probable to experience more challenges in withdrawing from methamphetamine. Attempting to quit solitary or within an environment with addictive triggers can also make the procedure more challenging.

Information technology is too difficult to quit meth all at once. This method of withdrawal is referred to as cold turkey. Many people choose to taper instead of going cold turkey, which can be safer and more comfortable. Tapering is the process of lowering the dosage slowly over time.

The Recovery Village surveyed ii,135 American adults who formerly or currently use methamphetamine. Of those surveyed, 1,784 respondents had undergone a detox from meth. Overall, respondents who had detoxed from meth reported the following withdrawal symptoms:

  • 2 in 3 participants reported headaches (63%)
  • 1 in 2 participants reported fatigue (57%)
  • 1 in 2 participants reported sleep issues (52%)
  • ane in 3 participants reported appetite issues (36%)
  • 1 in four participants reported high body temperature (24%)
  • ii in 5 participants reported low (41%)
  • two in five participants reported anxiety (41%)
  • 1 in 5 participants reported paranoia (20%)
  • 1 in iv participants reported aggression (27%)
  • ane in 6 participants reported hallucinations (16%)
  • 1 in 10 participants reported anhedonia (11%)

Additionally, The Recovery Village asked participants near their meth withdrawal timeline. The vast majority (95%) of all participants experienced meth cravings for up to seven weeks after start withdrawal.

Can Yous Die From Meth Withdrawal?

Withdrawal symptoms from meth are usually non fatal. Methamphetamine withdrawal can be a dangerous procedure for some, but this is primarily due to aridity. As long as the person stays hydrated and eats a balanced diet, they can combat this, especially with medical assistance.

Medical detox is helpful for nutritional and hydration support. With trained eyes on your progress around the clock, y'all will exist able to largely avoid any dangerous complications.

Is Information technology Possible to Detox from Meth Without Rehab?

Stopping meth is a challenge, and in that location are many risks. When quitting meth, at that place are commonly two options: quitting alone or seeking the help of a medical professional or treatment middle. The second option is commonly safer and more effective.

Though information technology'due south not impossible to cease using meth on your own, information technology is ofttimes more than challenging. There are also medical risks to quitting meth without medical care, depending on the level and length of habit. Another thing to consider is the support system you have at dwelling. Are there people at abode who tin can be your accountability partners as you recover? Consider your surroundings. Is at that place a take chances you'll relapse? If you choose to get off meth without rehab, consult with your md or a medical professional and ensure that you have the resource and support necessary to maintain sobriety while going through withdrawal symptoms.

Meth Detox

Detoxification is a natural process by which the trunk rids itself of harmful substances. Methamphetamine detox takes about 50 hours, depending on the one-half-life of the drug. Some of the most common symptoms are fatigue, depression, anxiety and increased appetite. These are all signs that the body is ridding itself of the methamphetamine, flushing out the toxin and returning to a land of health.

Some people who use methamphetamine undergo the detox process at home. If the dwelling surroundings is a triggering space, particularly one in which meth was or is highly prevalent, it is not advisable to attempt detox at dwelling house. Information technology is also not advisable to try home detox if you have a dual diagnosis or co-occurring mental condition.

Additionally, at that place should be a doctor, nurse, friend or family member nowadays for the withdrawal process. Supported withdrawal reduces the chance of complications.

Dehydration often accompanies the withdrawal process, which can exist unsafe. For this reason, medically supervised detox can be a crucial office of a care plan. Detox centers and rehabilitation facilities provide around-the-clock medical supervision to those undergoing detoxification. Nurses and doctors on staff volition ensure you lot are fairly hydrated and have the proper nutrients, allowing you lot to detox healthily and safely.

The first phase of rehabilitation is an evaluation past trained clinical staff. If the patient is withal acutely intoxicated, they will undergo detoxification. This process may serve every bit a personal milestone for those who complete the experience. Afterwards some time, a patient'south body volition stabilize and they tin can move onto the next stage of rehabilitation.

After the initial withdrawal process is complete, creating a plan for further handling is vital. Detoxification is one major step toward rehabilitation, but the journey to wellness and wellness continues long after this stage. Many habit professionals believe recovery is never truly finished. Instead, it is a continuous, lifelong procedure. The Recovery Village helps clients develop a personalized plan to address individual symptoms, underlying issues and life circumstances for long-term recovery.

Treatment For Meth Withdrawal Symptoms

Each facility of The Recovery Hamlet is staffed with a squad of experienced professionals who understand the risks associated with meth withdrawal. Although non anybody experiences the same symptoms in the same way, there is typically some discomfort associated with the detox process. The adept news is, our team offers treatment options to provide relief from the meth withdrawal symptoms.

Meth Withdrawal Medication

Medications that treat methamphetamine dependence should attain at least one of the following:

  • Repair damage acquired by meth use
  • Reduce blitz of meth pleasure
  • Reduce cravings that follow abstinence from meth

Unfortunately, while medications like this be for other drugs (opioid hurting medications, for example), in that location are no FDA-approved prescriptions for stimulants like methamphetamine.

Since there are no canonical medications for meth dependence, treatment during medical detox is supportive. 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 similar tremors, nausea or vomiting.

Renee Deveney

Editor – Renee Deveney

As a contributor for Advanced Recovery Systems, Renee Deveney is passionate near helping people struggling with substance apply disorder. With a family history of addiction, Renee is committed to opening upward a proactive dialogue about substance apply and mental health. Read more

Conor Sheehy

Medically Reviewed By – Dr. Conor Sheehy, PharmD, BCPS, CACP

Dr. Sheehy completed his BS in Molecular Biology at the Academy of Idaho and went on to consummate his Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) at the University of Washington in Seattle. Read more

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Medical Disclaimer

The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content well-nigh the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish cloth 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 communication of your md or other qualified healthcare providers.