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Meth is a potent stimulant that leads individuals with a physiological dependence on the drug to suffer meth withdrawals when they stop or lower their consumption.
Methamphetamines are stimulants, a category of drugs that enables individuals to remain awake and engage in activities with reduced sleep requirements. These medications are available as tablets, powders, or large crystals known as ice.
“Ice,” the street name for crystal meth, is especially popular among young adults and those who frequent dance clubs and party scenes. Meth is also recognized by different names, including speed, uppers, chalk, glass, christmas tree, and crank (particularly when injected).
Meth produces a powerful intense high referred to as a “rush” or a “flash”. Individuals who misuse methamphetamines (like crystal meth) experience a sense of euphoria and heightened energy. Users tend to believe the drug will allow them to chase their high without limits or consequences. However, meth is extremely harmful to the body and brain, particularly with repeated use.
Meth addicts will undergo severe withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking the substance. However, a medically-assisted detox can alleviate crystal meth withdrawal symptoms, making the entire experience less intense.
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What is Meth Withdrawal?
Methamphetamine withdrawal is the body’s and brain’s adjustment to functioning without the drug after regular use. This withdrawal is marked by a severe state of exhaustion and depression that might cause an individual to relapse soon after trying to stop, resulting in severe addiction and the risk of overdose and death.
The misuse of methamphetamines poses a significant issue in the United States, and due to its strength, the substance can result in quick addiction. Many recreational users experience a “binge and crash” phase, using meth every few hours for several days or more before abruptly stopping. However, users who are addicted or dependent may face crystal meth withdrawal that can persist for weeks.
Crystal Meth Withdrawal Symptoms
The signs of meth withdrawal and their intensity can differ between individuals based on several factors, such as the duration of meth use by the individual, the quantity consumed, the frequency of usage, and whether they practiced polydrug use or misused additional substances.
Moreover, various factors, like the way the drug is taken, can influence withdrawal. For instance, individuals who use meth via injection often endure more prolonged and intense withdrawal symptoms of meth compared to those who do not.
Common methamphetamine withdrawal symptoms include:
- Dehydration
- Excessive sweating
- Flu-like symptoms (itchy and watery eyes, fever)
- Tremors
- Increased appetite
- Over-sleeping or insomnia
- Vivid or unpleasant dreams
- Intense fatigue and lethargy
- Trouble concentrating
- Meth cravings
- Agitation and irritability
- Anxiety
- Depression and dysphoria (intense feelings of unhappiness, unease, and dissatisfaction)
- Withdrawn behavior
- Psychosis
- Paranoia and hallucinations
Since meth usage reduces hunger and causes sleeplessness, individuals may experience additional health issues due to nutritional deficiencies and lack of proper sleep. These health complications can further intensify the severity of meth withdrawal symptoms.
Furthermore, individuals experiencing crystal meth withdrawal, especially following extended meth use or those with a history of depression, should be carefully observed for potential self-harm and suicide risk and given treatment for any simultaneous mental health conditions, if considered essential.
Lastly, individuals who frequently use stimulants often develop a dependence on other substances such as alcohol, opioids, or sedatives, which might be misused alongside meth or to ease the discomfort of “coming down.” Discontinuation of these substances can exacerbate the withdrawal symptoms of meth or mask them, increasing the risk of a potentially fatal overdose or other serious complications.
Crystal Meth Withdrawal Timeline: How Long is Meth Withdrawal?
Acute withdrawal from meth can start within 24 hours to a few days after the last use, with the most intense symptoms lasting for a few days and often significantly subsiding within a week, while milder symptoms may continue for several weeks.
Initial symptoms that may appear can consist of a low mood, anxiety, and a strong desire for sleep. After the person sleeps and awakens, additional symptoms may emerge, such as intense hunger, a sense of life dissatisfaction, paranoia, or restlessness. Cravings, trouble focusing, tiredness, and mood-related issues might continue for weeks after the more intense symptoms have resolved.
- One to Two Days: The initial one to two days of withdrawal is referred to as the “crash” phase. This time frame encompasses a significant drop in energy and mental performance. During this stage, depression is prevalent, and in certain instances, individuals may encounter hallucinations, paranoia, and anxiety. Cravings are intense but may be more manageable since individuals often sleep a lot while experiencing this crash.
- Three to Five Days: Symptoms of withdrawal are expected to start diminishing during this time. Nevertheless, this is the time when cravings reach their peak, and the likelihood of relapse is significantly elevated.
- Two to Four Weeks: Cravings start to diminish, but psychological issues may emerge or become more apparent due to the lack of methamphetamines. Intense psychiatric issues such as psychosis, depression, and anxiety may require management through specialized psychiatric treatment.
- One to Two Months: Extended withdrawal or post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) may occur in the months after acute withdrawal, particularly in individuals with a background of significant meth abuse. Common symptoms during this time involve anxiety, fluctuating emotions, fatigue, sleep difficulties, and cravings for stimulants.
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Why Does Meth Withdrawal Occur?
Crystal meth withdrawal occurs when an individual develops a physical dependence on the drug. This happens when a person uses meth to such a degree that the body believes it requires the drug to function properly. Consequently, if an individual relies on meth and abruptly ceases or reduces their drug intake, they may experience withdrawal symptoms of methamphetamines.
Withdrawal happens due to neuroadaptations (changes in the brain) that result from prolonged meth use, mainly affecting the dopamine-reward system. When a person uses meth, their brain secretes excessive levels of dopamine, the chemical responsible for sensations of pleasure and reward.
When a person ceases methamphetamine use, the brain has to adjust rapidly to this alteration. This initiates several processes that work to restore the brain chemistry to what it was before methamphetamine use. The symptoms of meth withdrawal are the result of these adjustments.
Consequently, when someone continues using meth to avoid withdrawal symptoms, they may develop a tolerance—meaning they need increasingly larger doses to achieve the same effects they once felt at lower amounts.
Moreover, when a person frequently uses meth and gets used to the pleasure and euphoria that comes with it, their pleasure receptors become dulled, leading to difficulties in experiencing enjoyment from natural sources like food, socialization, or exercise. Due to this diminished pleasure response, their inclination to continue using the drug increases.
Meth Detox and Withdrawal Medications
Medical detox allows patients to cope with meth detox symptoms in a secure, comfortable, and drug-free setting while being monitored by healthcare professionals. Detox can take place on an inpatient or outpatient basis; a treatment specialist can assist you in deciding if inpatient detox is necessary.
As part of medical oversight, clinicians may use a clinical tool called a meth withdrawal score to measure the severity of symptoms in people detoxing from methamphetamine. This helps guide supportive care and assess risk during the early stages of withdrawal.
Once a patient has been stabilized and overcomes the acute stage of withdrawal, efficient medical detox centers will promote transition into ongoing treatment programs. While detox frequently serves as a crucial initial phase in recovery, detox by itself is seldom sufficient for assisting someone in attaining sustained sobriety and requires rehab.
In rehabilitation therapy, individuals develop skills and discover different behavioral patterns and coping strategies that assist them in evading and conquering the triggers that prompt their use of meth or other substances. Various evidence-supported behavioral therapy techniques can be utilized and are applicable in outpatient and inpatient rehabilitation environments. However, the optimal kind of addiction treatment and environment will differ according to the specific needs of the patient.
There are no drugs available to assist with crystal meth withdrawal, and there are also no FDA-approved medications for treating stimulant use disorder. That said, if a person engages in an addiction treatment program, they might be given supplementary medications to assist in relieving symptoms that can occur during withdrawal, like headaches, anxiety, or sleeplessness.
Meth Withdrawal Risks
The most significant dangers of meth withdrawal treatment include potentially intense depressive symptoms and suicidal ideations, increasing the likelihood of self-harm and suicide. Adequate supervision, assistance, and management are essential to aid individuals in successfully handling these risks and ensuring their safety. Various elements, such as medical problems, mental health disorders, or the use of multiple substances may also complicate meth withdrawal.
With the right support, individuals can overcome meth addiction. While dropout rates for stimulant treatment are high, completing a rehab program is key to avoiding relapse and achieving lasting sobriety.
Crystal Meth Withdrawal | FAQs
What happens to your body when you stop using meth?
When a user suddenly stops using meth, they develop adverse physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms as the body tries to cope with the sudden lack of the drug it has become dependent on. These symptoms can include anxiety, paranoia, sleeplessness, loss of appetite, fatigue, and body aches.
How to get off meth safely?
The safest way to quit meth addiction is to enroll in a medically assisted detox program followed by rehab. Medical professionals will monitor your symptoms and provide expert assistance to help you cope and recover.
How long does meth withdrawal last?
Acute withdrawal from meth can begin within 24 hours to several days following the last use, with its most severe symptoms lasting for a few days and typically diminishing significantly within a week. Milder symptoms might persist for several weeks.
What does meth do to the body?
Meth impacts the central nervous system by overwhelming the brain with dopamine, which is the neurotransmitter linked to sensations of pleasure and reward. Since meth offers the brain an unnatural source of dopamine, it can lead to the neurotransmitter firing incorrectly. The brain will subsequently seek that surge of dopamine, rapidly leading to meth addiction. Consequently, it might be hard for the brain to generate dopamine effectively without meth’s presence.
What happens when you misuse meth?
Misusing meth can significantly harm the body in a very short amount of time. As a powerful stimulant, it produces a fast, intense, and addictive high. Because the effects wear off quickly, individuals who become dependent may use it repeatedly to avoid crashing or “coming down.”
What are the symptoms of a meth overdose?
Meth overdose, in the absence of other substances, happens when an individual consumes an excessive amount of the drug either in a single dose or progressively over time, leading to a harmful response to the substance. This response may trigger severe cardiovascular issues, including stroke and heart attack, along with potential organ damage. Additional signs of overdose consist of confusion, chest pains, and circulatory collapse.
Overcome Crystal Meth Addiction at Gratitude Lodge
If you require crystal meth withdrawal assistance for yourself or someone you care about, contact Gratitude Lodge in Southern California. We operate welcoming, pet-friendly rehabilitation centers in Long Beach and Newport Beach that focus on treating meth addiction.
Our medical detox program ensures that the process is safe and more manageable for our patients. You will receive round-the-clock clinical and emotional support as you detox from meth and get ready for inpatient treatment at one of our beachside rehabs.
We understand that each meth addiction patient is different, so all our treatment plans will be tailored to meet your specific needs. Potential treatments include:
- Holistic treatments
- Motivational therapy
- Group therapy
- Aftercare
- Talk therapy
- Medication-assisted treatment
- Family therapy
- Counseling
Start your journey to recovery from meth addiction by calling our team at 844-576-0144.
Sources
- https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/methamphetamine
- https://www.justice.gov/archive/ndic/pubs5/5049/5049p.pdf
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20840201/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64115/
- https://nida.nih.gov/sites/default/files/podat-3rdEd-508.pdf
