Methamphetamine Detox and Withdrawal: How to Safely Detox from Meth & Start Recovery

Detoxing from methamphetamines usually leads to mild to severe withdrawal symptoms. There are various treatment options to help someone safely detox from meth and enjoy long-term recovery.

Detox centers can help you get through meth withdrawal. Call now to find out more.

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The Urgency and Reality of Meth Detox

Methamphetamine is an illicit synthetic drug made in a lab, often in clandestine conditions with dangerous chemicals. Known as meth, it’s highly addictive. When someone tries to quit, they may experience meth addiction withdrawal symptoms. Even mild symptoms of meth withdrawal can interfere with functions in all areas of daily life.

Detox from meth should occur with the help of a treatment team that includes doctors, nurses, and therapists. However, not everyone needs to enter an inpatient detox treatment center to receive assistance. 

There aren’t any medications that are FDA approved for the treatment of methamphetamine withdrawal, but there are outpatient meth detox programs in which treatment teams ease withdrawals from meth by treating symptoms with standard prescriptions and over-the-counter medications.

Therapists can also teach you traditional and alternative coping strategies.

What is Meth and Why is It Addictive?

Methamphetamine is a synthetic stimulant that can be obtained through prescriptions. However, most meth is illegally manufactured in unregulated labs. It’s sold on the street in a powder or crystal form that can be smoked, snorted, injected or taken orally or rectally.

Meth enters the brain quickly and causes intense euphoria, beyond what the brain produces naturally. It speeds up communication between the brain and body, making someone feel alert, aware and energetic. Many people enjoy the drug because they think they get more done and focus better on projects.

Meth abuse occurs when someone wants to continue feeling the pleasure it produces, and they begin seeking and using the drug repeatedly. The longer they use it, the more likely they are to develop a meth addiction.

Within a few minutes of use, someone taking meth feels energized, talkative, awake, and confident. They may notice an increase in their sex drive and a decrease in appetite. The effects of meth don’t last very long, however.

As they begin to wear off, users experience what is often described as a methamphetamine “crash.” With regular and repeated use, the brain can adapt to the presence of meth. This is known as dependence. They may develop withdrawal symptoms if they stop using meth.

What is Meth Detox?

Meth detox is one part of a recovery journey. It’s the phase when the toxins associated with meth exit the body. This is different from full addiction treatment, which typically includes medication and rehab.

Someone trying to detox from meth or other substances without help from professionals may find it too challenging. Severe withdrawal symptoms may lead to meth relapse. Those who seek meth detox from doctors and therapists receive medical treatment, coaching, encouragement and skills necessary for a successful detox.

Working with a treatment team for methamphetamine detox can occur on an outpatient or inpatient basis. Someone with a positive support system and mild or moderate withdrawals from meth will likely benefit more from outpatient detox from methamphetamines.

Clean living is possible. Start your detox journey today, call now.

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Meth Withdrawal Symptoms: What to Expect

Symptoms of meth withdrawal vary for each person and can be psychological, physical, and emotional. Many factors contribute to someone’s withdrawal from meth experience, including additional substances, how much meth they use, how long they have use it, and pre-existing conditions.

Some meth withdrawal symptoms include the following:

• Fatigue
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Pain or discomfort
• Trouble concentrating
• Intense cravings
• Hallucinations
• Insomnia
• Paranoia
• Suicidal thoughts

Withdrawal from meth doesn’t have to be severe. Working with treatment professionals is an excellent way to cope with the symptoms, stabilize, and maintain recovery.

Meth Withdrawal Timeline: How Long Does It Last?

There are multiple phases in the meth withdrawal timeline. Everyone detoxing from meth moves through the stages at different rates. Some methamphetamine withdrawal symptoms occur soon after the last use, while others may appear, disappear, and reappear for weeks or months.

How Long Does It Take to Withdraw From Meth?

The initial phases of the meth withdrawal timeline are the most severe since the brain and body are trying to adjust without the drug. As time passes, withdrawal becomes much more manageable, and stabilization occurs. The phases of meth withdrawal consist of the following:

The Crash Phase

The initial phase, or crash, occurs in the first two days and is usually represented by pain and discomfort.

In the first 48 hours, you may experience the following symptoms:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Restlessness
• Irritability
• Cravings
• Sleep disturbances
• Anhedonia
• Difficulty concentrating

The Acute Phase

The acute phase follows the crash, but many crash symptoms continue for 3-10 days. Factors such as length of time, amount and polysubstance use contribute to the severity of withdrawal symptoms of meth. During the acute phase, symptoms range from moderate to severe. They typically ease as time progresses.

The Early Protracted Phase

In the early protracted phase, residual effects last two to three weeks. The intensity of acute symptoms lessens, and users experience the first stabilization period. They feel better mentally and physically and begin to make behavioral changes necessary for recovery.

Although they feel better, someone in this phase of the timeline must learn to recognize and identify triggers that can spark cravings. Cravings for meth can return when someone encounters a trigger. Therefore, it’s crucial to learn recovery strategies during this phase.

How Long Do Meth Withdrawal Symptoms Last?

Post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) or the late protracted phase of meth withdrawal begins after 3-4 weeks of detox. Cravings, concentration issues, and memory lapses continue, but they’re mild. Continuing to work with behavioral therapists during this phase can enhance the recovery process.

For some, PAWS lasts for a few weeks or months. For others, it lingers for over a year. Fortunately, the symptoms continue to weaken the longer someone abstains from methamphetamine. Those who work with a therapist to learn recovery skills tend to have an easier time coping with any protracted symptoms.

Don’t risk withdrawl alone. Call now to get the help you need.

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Meth Detox at Home vs. Medical Detox

Detoxing from meth, or any other substance, alone can be risky.

Detox can lead to the following:

• Dehydration
• Health complications
• Overwhelming emotions
• Mental health issues
• Heart palpitations
• Seizures
• Unexpected pain and discomfort
• Suicidal thoughts

One significant risk of methamphetamine detox at home or by yourself is relapse. When someone relapses, they often risk overdosing. With meth, there’s another risk of whether the manufacturer mixed the compound with more dangerous drugs, like fentanyl. When this happens, the outcomes can be fatal.

How to Detox From Meth at Home?

Anyone choosing meth detox at home and forgoing a meth detox center should always get the support of family or friends who can stay and check in on them often. You must also have a deep understanding of how to detox your body from meth. Withdrawal can occur suddenly, without warning, and can be severe.

They should also drink a lot of fluids, even if they don’t feel like drinking or eating anything. A healthy diet and fitness routine help improve health and ease symptoms. The more healthy activities you engage in, the easier it is for the body to eliminate toxins.

Meth detox at home is not recommended for everyone, however. Talk to a doctor about whether it is safe for you. The preferred solution for some people is a medical meth detox, which can be accomplished on an inpatient or outpatient basis.

The benefits of a medically supervised meth detox include:

• Safety
• Emotional support from professionals and peers
• Access to various treatments to ease symptoms
• Relapse prevention

Professionals trained in medical detox know what to expect and can identify any unusual symptoms that pose a risk to a person’s health. They can teach you specific strategies to avoid relapse and maintain long-term recovery.

Meth Detox Process: What to Expect

The best detox for methamphetamine consists of steps to help someone receive the safest and most effective treatment possible. A treatment team creates a meth detox protocol personalized to meet each person’s needs.

Evaluation

Mental health professionals complete a comprehensive evaluation. They gather current and past information about methamphetamine and other substance use. They also ask questions about how using meth has affected your life, family history, and treatment goals. The evaluation results help evaluators develop a treatment plan.

Stabilization

When using methamphetamines, a person is often physically, mentally, and emotionally unstable. Before any treatments can begin, doctors and therapists must help them stabilize their meth detox symptoms so they can engage in other therapies.

Medication Use

For some, stabilization occurs with the help of meth detox medication. Examples of these medications include:

• Bupropion
• Bupropion with naltrexone
• Topiramate
• Mirtazapine
• Modafinil
• Antidepressants

Medication is always just one part of a treatment plan. It should be combined with behavioral therapies and healthy activities like healthy eating, nutritional replenishment, hydration and exercise.

The Importance of Post-Detox Rehab

Detox alone isn’t enough for meth recovery. It’s designed to assist someone during the withdrawal process, which can be painful and often leads to relapse. Many people transition to an inpatient or outpatient meth rehab after detox to learn early recovery skills and relapse prevention for the long term.

Addiction treatment after detox must include behavioral therapies for long-term meth recovery. The most effective therapies for treating addiction include the following:

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Thoughts influence behavior. When someone has unhealthy thoughts, they’re more likely to engage in harmful behaviors, like using meth. CBT focuses on changing negative thought patterns. Those in recovery learn to recognize and identify destructive thoughts and replace them with thoughts that are consistent with healing and recovery.

Contingency Management (CM)

CM is a behavioral therapy that rewards participants and encourages positive behavior. Therapists can help their clients set tangible goals or behaviors and reward them as soon as they’re achieved. This enables repetition of these positive behaviors.

Group Therapy

Group therapy is a significant part of treatment for meth addiction. In group therapy, you receive support from peers who understand what you’re going through during detox and after. Group therapy may be with a 12-step program or a more specific community that focuses on co-occurring disorders, relationships, trauma, or another issue.

How to Quit Meth Safely: Tips and Advice

Quitting meth is more challenging for anyone trying to go it alone. It’s not recommended to stop cold turkey without support. The best solution is to seek professional help from a licensed treatment center.

Quitting meth the right way leads to better detox experiences.

The most important steps include:

• Building a support system
• Creating a treatment plan with a licensed professional
• Removing triggers and paraphernalia that remind you of meth
• Learning recovery skills to help avoid relapse

Long-Term Effects After Meth Detox

Methamphetamine damages the brain by affecting neural networks and cognitive functioning. Meth detox symptoms such as depression, anxiety, memory issues and difficulty concentrating can continue for much longer than expected.

It can take many months on the meth withdrawal timeline for the brain to make repairs. This means the effects of meth withdrawal can linger, even after you’ve taken all the proper steps in recovery. It’s critical to continue working with therapists or engaging in activities to help the repair process.

Nutrition and Self-Care During Detox

The food eaten during detox can limit or enhance recovery.

Good foods to eat while detoxing from methamphetamine are those with natural vitamins and minerals, such as:

• Fresh vegetables
• Lean meats
• Fish
• Fruits

In addition to healthy food, you must stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day. Engage in physical activity and get the rest your body needs to restore itself each night to enhance recovery.

You don’t need to detox alone. Call now, and get clean.

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Finding the Best Meth Detox Programs

When searching for meth detox treatment, it may feel a bit like a job interview. In a sense, you’re hiring the best providers to guide your recovery.

To do this, ask questions such as:

• How do you detox from meth?
• How long does it take to detox from meth?
• What are the withdrawal symptoms of meth?
• What is meth withdrawal like?
• How do you treat withdrawal symptoms from meth during detox?
• Do you offer inpatient and outpatient services for meth detox?
• What are the qualifications of the treatment professionals?
• Do you accept my insurance? If not, what are the payment options?
• What services do you offer after meth detox?

The best meth detox programs can answer these questions and many others. They will offer a comprehensive evaluation and develop treatment plans that fits your needs and preferences.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Hope Through Detox and Recovery

Cleansing your body from meth is the first step to lasting recovery. You can successfully achieve recovery for the rest of your life. Detox from methamphetamine doesn’t have to be severe. With help from doctors and therapists, you can experience a whole-body detox and recovery.

You can start your recovery journey today by using resources available at Detox.com. You can connect with various meth detox programs that fit your situation the best. Return to achieving your goals and living a healthy life quickly.

Don’t wait to detox. Call today to get started.

800-996-6135

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