Meth withdrawal symptoms, schedule, and detox treatment (2023)

Meth withdrawal symptoms

methamphetamine withdrawalcan cause different acute and post-acute symptoms in different people. The severity and duration of meth withdrawal symptoms can vary based on a variety of factors, such as: B. Route of administration, dose, drug purity, degree of intoxication, prior withdrawal experience, length of meth use, history of meth use, and other considerations.³

Acute meth withdrawal symptoms may include:³

• Fatigue.
• Angst.
• Irritability.
• Energy deficiency.
• weight gain.
• dehydration.
• Chills.
• Insomnia followed by hypersomnia (too much sleep).
• Dysphoria (low mood) can lead to clinical depression and suicidal thoughts.
• The inability to think clearly.
• Anhedonia (loss of ability to feel pleasure).
• withdrawal from others.
• craving for drugs.

Post-acute and prolonged withdrawal symptoms from meth can include:³

• Depression.
• mood swings.
• craving for drugs.
• Loss of ability to experience joy.
• Psychosis.
• suicidal thoughts/thoughts.
• Fatigue and excessive sleepiness.
• Increased appetite.

Cravings during withdrawal can be significant and difficult to resist.³This often leads to a return to drug use or relapse.³

Meth withdrawal symptomscan be extremely uncomfortable and uncomfortable, but they are not usually life-threatening.⁵If you or someone you care about uses meth and wants to quit, you should learn more about itmeth withdrawal. Withdrawal can be challenging, but professional medical detox can help you endure and navigate the withdrawal process safely and more comfortably

Meth Withdrawal Schedule

TheMeth Withdrawal Scheduleis influenced by the same factors that influence symptom severity and may also be influenced by a person's patterns of consumption, e.g.³Meth withdrawal usually starts within 24 hours of last use and can last anywhere from a few days to weeks.

• Acute withdrawal symptoms, such as dysphoria, anxiety, and agitation, begin and peak shortly after a person's last application (which usually means within 24 hours of the last application). Acute meth withdrawal symptoms gradually decrease over time.⁹Research reports that acute withdrawal symptoms typically last 7-10 days, with cravings being the most commonly reported symptom; Acute withdrawal symptoms can potentially last up to 2 weeks after a person's last drug use.⁹
• Protracted withdrawalare persistent withdrawal symptoms that tend to resemble acute symptoms but are generally milder and more stable. They usually last another 2-3 weeks after the end of the acute withdrawal phase.⁹

Medically guided withdrawal (administering medication during the withdrawal period) can provide support to ensure safe and comfortable withdrawal while reducing the risk of relapse.⁵

Why does meth withdrawal happen?

Meth addiction can occur after repeated use. Physical dependence occurs when a person uses meth to an extent that the body thinks it needs the substance to function properly. So if someone is addicted to meth and suddenly stops or cuts down on the drug, they can develop itMethamphetamine Withdrawal Symptoms.¹

When this happens, it reinforces the cycle of meth abuse; impederetreatSymptoms occur, someone must continue using meth.¹In addition to addiction, someone can also develop a tolerance to meth, meaning they must consume increasing amounts of meth to experience previously achieved effects, such as euphoria.¹

Withdrawal occurs due to neuroadaptations (brain changes) that occur as a result of repeated meth use, primarily in the dopamine reward system.¹When someone uses meth, their brain releases abnormal levels of dopamine, the brain chemical responsible for feelings of pleasure and reward.

When someone uses meth continuously and becomes accustomed to feeling the pleasure and euphoria associated with meth use, their "pleasure receptors" become deadened and, as a result, they have difficulty finding pleasure in naturally occurring things like food, exercise, and sex gain. As a result of this blunted pleasure, it can increase their desire to continue using the substance.¹People who use meth are often unable to enjoy anything other than meth.¹

Meth Addiction vs. Meth Dependence

Meth addiction is a physiological adaptation of the body in which the body becomes so accustomed to the presence of meth in the system that withdrawal symptoms occur when the person cuts back or stops using it. In other words, the body feels like it needs meth to function physically. Addiction can lead to cravings and compulsive use in the absence of meth to avoid unwanted withdrawal symptoms.

Addiction (clinically called substance use disorder) refers to the compulsive, uncontrollable use of meth despite all the harm it causes. Addiction includes not only physical changes (like dependency), but also harmful behaviors that affect every aspect of a person's life. Addiction triggers changes in the brain that affect a person's drive, motivation, thought process, and behavior so profoundly that meth use is prioritized over everything else.

Can Single Use of Meth Lead to Withdrawal?

There is currently insufficient research to suggest that a single dose of meth causes withdrawal symptoms. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports that withdrawal occurs when people who use meth chronically (become addicted to meth) stop or cut down on their meth use.¹

Meth Withdrawal Detox Treatment

Meth withdrawal management is the process of removing the drug from the body while a team of medical professionals help the patient manage the symptoms of their withdrawal.⁵Meth withdrawal management, or detoxification, is often the first step in a treatment program for a substance use disorder (SUD).⁵

After detoxification, most people benefit from further treatment, such as inpatient or outpatient rehab. Patients enrolled in a medically assisted detox program receive help finding the right program to address the behavioral and social aspects of their addiction (and other relevant needs) once their detox is complete.⁵

The benefits ofmedically assisted detoxificationfor meth withdrawal may include:^3,5

• Monitoring for medical/mental health risks.Meth withdrawal can lead to severe depression or suicidal thoughtsmedical supervisioncan help someone stay safe.
• provide structure and support.This can help a person focus on recovery and prepare them for further treatment.
• Removing someone from the environment in which they use meth.This can help reduce cravings caused by environmental stimuli, which could lead to relapse.
• Provision of nutritional support if required.Meth abuse can be linked to weight loss and poor nutrition; Someone struggling with meth addiction may need support such as larger or higher-calorie meals, an electrolyte supplement, or consulting a nutritionist.

As mentioned earlier, once the detox is complete, people may enter inpatient rehab or outpatient treatment. Professional treatment in the form of various behavioral therapies can provide several benefits, such as:

• Help a patient find ways to prevent a relapse.
• Teaching a patient healthier coping and stress management skills.
• Helping a patient uncover and process the underlying reasons why they developed an addiction in the first place.

When someone attends inpatient rehab, they have the added benefit of 24/7 monitoring and support to help them stay safe and meet any concurrent needs that may arise. This additional support can be especially important when someone has life-threatening medical problems or co-occurring psychiatric disorders.³

The following are some behavioral therapies that can be used to help a person overcome their methamphetamine addiction:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy(CBT).This helps patients identify and change unhelpful or unhealthy thoughts and behaviors that are contributing to their substance abuse. Some research has found that CBT can be particularly helpful in treating stimulant addiction when combined with emergency management.
• Emergency Management (CM), which incorporates principles of positive reinforcement. It offers tangible rewards when someone achieves a goal behavior (e.g., a negative drug test) and withholds the reward when the goal is not met.

After detoxification and during all phases of treatment, it is important to ensure a patient is receiving adequate diet and exercise to remain healthy throughout their recovery.³

Meth Treatment Drugs

There are no medications available to treat meth withdrawal, nor are they FDA approveddrug treatmentsfor stimulant use disorder.¹When someone is on a medically guided detox, they may be given additional medication to relieve some of their symptoms that may occur during withdrawal, such as headaches or insomnia.⁵

Meth Withdrawal Risks & Outlook

The biggest risks of meth withdrawal are potentially severe symptoms of depression and suicidal thoughts, which can lead to a risk of self-harm and suicide.³Appropriate monitoring, support and management are necessary to help people effectively manage these risks and help them stay safe.³Meth withdrawal can be complicated by several factors, such as: B. medical problems, mental illness or the use of several substances.³

With the right treatment, people can successfully detox from meth and recover from a substance use disorder or meth addiction.^{1 p. 3 above}After detoxification, it's often essential to remain in a treatment program to help someone learn new skills, prevent relapse, and solidify their recovery.³The treatment dropout rate for stimulant addiction is high.³While entering treatment is important, stay in treatment and complete aMeth Rehab TreatmentProgram is critical to preventing the negative consequences of meth abuse and addiction.³

Sources

1. National Institute on Substance Abuse. (2019, October).Research report on methamphetamine.
2. S. Drug Enforcement Agency. (n.d.).Fast facts on crystal methamphetamine.
3. Administration of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services. (2021).Treatment of stimulant use disorders. Treatment Enhancement Protocol (TIP) Series 33. SAMHSA Publication No. PEP21-02-01-004. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse Administration and Mental Health Services.
4. National Institute on Substance Abuse. (2019, May).Methamphetamin Drugfacts.
5. Substance Abuse Treatment Center. (2015). Detoxification and treatment of substance abuse. Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 45. HHS Publication No. (SMA) 15-4131. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse Treatment Center.
6. National Institute on Substance Abuse. (2018, January).Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide (Third Edition): Is There a Difference Between Physical Dependence and Addiction?
7. Administration of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services. (n.d.).Tips for Teens: Methamphetamine.
8. Courtney, K. E., & Ray, L. A. (2014).Methamphetamine: an update on the epidemiology, pharmacology, clinical phenomenology, and treatment literature.drug and alcohol addiction,143, 11–21.
9. Zorick, T., Nestor, L., Miotto, K., Sugar, C., Hellemann, G., Scanlon, G… & London, E. D. (2010).Withdrawal symptoms in abstinent methamphetamine-dependent subjects.Seeks, 105(10), 1809–1818.