Meth Withdrawal Symptoms and Treatment Options. “Crystal meth” is the commonly-used name for crystal methamphetamine.

Meth is a highly addictive and potent drug that directly affects the central nervous system. It’s an illicit drug with no legal use or medical application. Form-wise, it comes in translucent, crystallized chunks or either as shiny bluish-white rocks.

Also termed as “glass” or “ice”, Meth users may use the drug several ways, including by snorting it, swallowing it, by smoking it or by injecting it into the veins.

Those using meth feel a near-instantaneous rush and euphoria, however, it’s extremely dangerous and very addictive. It can cause bodily harm and severe psychological issues.

Crystal Meth is a man-made stimulant. It has been around for quite some time and was initially used during the World War II-era by soldiers to stay alert. Some have also used this deadly drug as a way to lose weight and cure depression. Today, the only legally-used meth product is a pill used for the treatment of ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and obesity. However, it’s very rarely used and is a prescription-only medicine.

Meth Treatment shouldn’t be attempted alone

For those struggling with an addiction to meth, professional Meth treatment in a medically monitored environment is essential to a successful recovery. Meth is a very powerful drug that is habit-forming, even after first-time use. Every hit of meth can cause irreversible damage to the brain’s receptors that may render the user incapable of experiencing pleasure without using meth.

Because of its addictive properties, it has an extremely high potential for abuse. Meth’s feel-good euphoria makes users feel energized and confident, which can make quitting usage of the drug difficult.

As an award-winning Meth rehab in Florida, we understand the complexities of Methamphetamine addiction. Our staff has decades of combined experience in the treatment of meth dependencies and employ the most trusted treatment protocols to excel clients to recovery seamlessly. We address the underlying causes of addiction from all possible angles to bring clients the best recovery outcomes possible. This has helped our center to achieve a higher-than-average patient-success rate.

In 2017, approximately 1.6 million people reported used methamphetamine in the past year, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Of those, 774,000 had reported using meth within the past thirty days. One concerning statistic of this study was that the average age of first-time meth users is 23 years old.

A TOUGH ADDICTION – Let Rehab South Florida Help
Many lives are impacted by the stronghold meth has on its users; it’s a tough addiction to combat alone. Those struggling with meth dependency should seek counsel and treatment in a rehab where round-the-clock care, supervision, and medication-assisted treatment can be offered.

At-home detox or attempting to quit alone at home is not recommended due to the life-threatening withdrawals that can emerge. Those considering the cold-turkey approach should reconsider their recovery plan as the symptoms and withdrawals can be potentially fatal without proper management.

At Rehab South Florida, we provide individualized care, therapy, and treatment needed to help clients overcome dependency in a nearly symptom-free approach.

If you or a loved one is struggling with Meth addiction, continue reading on to learn more about treatment or

call 561-933-5522 for an immediate admissions inquiry.

If you arrived here by searching for Meth rehab near me we want to congratulate you on your choice. Deciding to attend a meth treatment center is life-changing, especially at RSF; we design recovery plans unique to that of the personal recovery goals and needs of the client. Combined with evidence-backed treatments and industry-leading therapists, our clients can transition to sobriety seamlessly.

Why’s Meth so Addictive?

It’s addictive because of the euphoria it causes for users.
The fast-acting rush that people enjoy when using meth can cause them to become hooked from first-time use. When meth is used, a chemical known as dopamine will flood the area of the brain that’s responsible for regulating feelings of pleasure. High levels of confidence and increased energy levels are a couple of the reasons meth is so addictive and hard to quit.

Users often become addicted very quickly. The user, in many cases, will do anything to experience the rush again. This can lead to erratic behaviors, such as stealing to cover the cost of the habit. As with most drugs, prolonged meth use will cause the user to develop increased tolerance levels. This means that over time, the user needs to increase the dosage amount to achieve the same level of high. As dosage amounts increase, so does the chance of a medical emergency occurring.

Signs of Meth Use

When it comes to methamphetamine use, there are many signs that may indicate someone is using this drug.

Signs of someone using Crystal Meth can include:

• Beginning to not care about hygiene or personal appearance
• Excessively picking at skin and/or hair
• Weight loss due to not eating
• Rapid eye movement and dilated pupils
• Unusual sleeping patterns (staying up for days and sometimes even weeks)
• Strange behaviors, such as erratic/jerky movements, facial tics, twitching, exaggerated movements, and continual talking
• Frequently borrowing money, selling personal possessions, and/or stealing
• Mood swings and violent/angry outbursts
• Exhibiting psychotic behaviors, such as hallucinations or paranoia

Methamphetamine Withdrawal Symptoms

As with most drugs, when a meth user begins to stop using meth, the body will begin to experience an array of symptoms due to the absence of the drug in the system. When the body doesn’t have the dose it normally receives, symptoms can become rather severe.

Symptom severity is dependent on a number of factors, including the length of use, the frequency of use, and the average amount is taken peruse.

Methamphetamine withdrawal is a natural occurrence for those putting an end to their meth dependency. It’s a rather uncomfortable process that usually begins near-immediately upon stopping use.

There’s a predictable set of withdrawal symptoms, of which gradually begin to taper as the body is given time to adjust to the meth no longer being present in the system. Withdrawals can include both psychiatric and physical issues, such as psychosis and depression.

Methamphetamine withdrawal treatment at drug rehab will help physical symptoms to go away rather quickly. At RSF, this is accomplished through withdrawal-management and medication-assisted treatments, combined with evidence-based treatments followed by therapy.

However, psychiatric difficulties, such as anxiety/depression, may persist for a long time (which our post-treatment aftercare program addresses).

Within the first 24 hours following the last meth intake, users will begin to experience early-stage withdrawals that include an enhanced appetite and fatigue.

Feeling anxious, depressed, and irritable are also early-on symptoms that are common to emerge.

Severity and Duration of Withdrawals

Studies show that withdrawals from meth occur in two stages. Phase one is usually most intense, which is during the first 24 hours following use. These symptoms will slowly but gradually taper and become less intense throughout the first week. Sometimes, a sub-acute phase lasting for up to two weeks may also occur.

How severe withdrawals are will be dictated by a number of variables, including how dependent the client was on meth and how much was used per session.

How long will Meth withdrawal last?

Typically, the longer someone uses meth, the worse symptoms of withdrawal will be. This same rule of thumb applies to the users “age” as well. Typically, older users will experience more severe symptoms than younger users.

The second stage of withdrawal is not as intense as phase-one and will usually last for no more than 3 weeks. In some, more severe cases, prior meth users may encounter withdrawals for a duration of time lasting for months. This is known as post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) and is best managed through an after-rehab, outpatient treatment program, of which Rehab South Florida provides.

Some other factors that play a contributing role in the severity and duration of symptoms of meth withdrawal include:

• The person’s physical and mental health both before and during meth usage
• The potency, purity, and quality of meth used
• Concurrent dependencies where meth is used with other drugs and/or substances (such as alcohol)

Ending Meth Addiction

Meth addiction, by far, is one of the toughest addictions to beat (especially when attempted alone).

However, with proper treatment in a medically-monitored environment, it can be done. If you struggle with addiction yourself or are have a friend or family member that is, do not attempt a recovery by yourself.

Recovery from a Meth-based addiction requires professional counseling and medication-assisted therapy to combat.

At Rehab South Florida, our Meth Treatment services ensure the best recovery outcomes for patients with round-the-clock care that delivers the treatment and emotional support needed to overcome dependency.

Understanding Meth Withdrawal and Receiving Treatment

Methamphetamine use has become a growing problem in the US. Because of meth’s potency, it can lead to rapid dependency. Most recreational users will encounter a “crash” lasting for a few days. However, individuals with high dependence on the drug will oftentimes experience methamphetamine withdrawals lasting for weeks.

Withdrawal symptoms from meth are rather debilitating and can be painful to cope with. In many cases, these emotions and experiences will encourage the user to take more meth as their way to counteract the withdrawals. This quickly leads to a downward spiral of continual meth use, which often matures into a full-on cycle of dependency.

Usually, by the time a meth user realizes they have a problem, they also begin to realize that withdrawals and symptoms are too powerful to tackle alone. Participating in medical meth detox at Rehab South Florida is the safest way for you to treat these symptoms and to overcome the addiction. Our program supports patients with round-the-clock medication supervision, care, and as-needed treatments. Clients are able to overcome addiction without temptations in an environment that’s safe.

During meth detox, our award-winning treatment team monitors client vitals and overall health throughout the entire process to ensure a comfortable and near symptom-free journey. Once clients complete our detox program, ongoing counseling and other treatment services will be provided to ensure long-term abstinence and to help treatment graduates avoid a relapse.

Timeline of Meth withdrawal Symptoms

First 48 hours: Known as the “crash”, this phase is when withdrawal severities peak. The initial 24-48 hours will cause the user to experience decreased energy levels and a sharp decline in cognitive function. Abdominal cramping, sweating, and nausea are also common-felt symptoms.

Days 3-10: During this timeframe, symptoms will both peak and begin to subside. As the body begins to make adjustments to being free from meth, the recovering dependent can (and often will) experience severe anxiety, fatigue, and depression. Depending on how severe the addiction was, some people may also experience muscle aches, cravings and shaking that may linger for weeks.

Days 14-20: Usually, symptoms of meth withdrawal will occur for between 2-3 weeks. As the end week-two approaches, a majority of physical-related symptoms will begin to subside, although intense cravings for meth may persist. Ongoing depression and fatigue are also common during this phase.

30+ days: At this point, the worst withdrawals are over. Symptoms remaining after the one-month mark will slowly fade away over time. Although, for some individuals, anxiety and depression may last for several months before subsiding.
Meth Treatment at Rehab South Florida

As a RSF client, you will partake in a comprehensive recovery program aimed to address addiction from all angles. To ensure your complete recovery, upon admission to our centre, our medical staff will assess your well-being, health, and addiction to develop an individualized treatment plan designed for your needs and recovery goals.

From detox to stabilization, to ongoing treatment, our facility encompasses all of the tools and treatments required for a successful recovery. Our holistic-based treatment team ensures client comfort and wellness and collaborates closely with other on-site treatment specialists to deliver successful recovery outcomes for each patient.

To learn more about how RSF can help with this life-changing endeavor, contact a friendly and knowledgeable admissions specialist to explore your options. Help for you or a loved one is only a phone call away, contact us at 561-933-5522 to schedule an on-site tour so you can expedite your journey to a purposeful life free from the constraints of addiction.

References:
Drug Facts. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://sites.utexas.edu/asrec/facts-myths/drug-facts/.

Kathleen Davis, F. N. P. (2018, June 28). Methamphetamine: Facts, effects, and health risks. Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/309287.php.

List of CNS stimulants Uses & Side Effects. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.drugs.com/drug-class/cns-stimulants.html.

Moszczynska, A. (2016, September 30). Neurobiology and Clinical Manifestations of Methamphetamine Neurotoxicity. Retrieved from https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/special-reports/neurobiology-and-clinical-manifestations-methamphetamine-neurotoxicity.

National Institute on Drug Abuse. (n.d.). What is methamphetamine? Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/methamphetamine/what-methamphetamine.

Related links. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/publications/drug-profiles/methamphetamine.
Rusyniak, D. E. (2011, August). Neurologic manifestations of chronic methamphetamine abuse. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3148451/.