Methamphetamine, also called meth, is extremely addictive. If you are currently caught in the cycle of abusing meth, you know this to be true. However, it is possible to free yourself from the hold this drug has on your life. If you’re wondering how to detox from meth, our professionals can show you the way.
Why It Is Important to Know How to Detox from Meth
People who abuse meth can quickly develop a psychological and physical dependence. In fact, some people become addicted after only one use. This is largely due to meth’s chemical makeup and how it changes the central nervous system, brain, and rest of the body. When someone with a meth dependence stops using the drug, they go through extreme withdrawal as their body works to return to normal.
Many people believe that detox is the same for any abused substance. However, this is not true. Some substances require only a short detox of days or a couple of weeks, to gain healthy recovery. Other substances take patients through a long, drawn-out withdrawal process that can make recovery seem impossible. Meth is one of the latter types, involving a hard road to recovery.
Because of this difficulty of going through detox, it is particularly important that people seeking recovery from meth have the help they need. This help must be from addiction specialists and medical professionals able to help patients understand how to detox from meth safely under trained supervision, in case something goes wrong.
Beyond concerns of safety in meth detox, there are also concerns for patient comfort during withdrawal. Patient discomfort can lead them right back to their drug, as they seek to remedy their symptoms of withdrawal. Under these circumstances, someone who goes back to meth midway through detox can suffer a deadly overdose. This is far too common and may be how people you have known lost their battles with addiction.
Common Meth Withdrawal Symptoms
Some of the symptoms of meth withdrawal include:
- Heavy fatigue
- Paranoia
- Psychosis
- Increased appetite
- Hallucinations
- Anxiety
- Mood swings
- Intense depression
- Severe headaches
- Concentration problems
- Body aches and pain
- Cravings for meth
- Suicidal ideation
- Sleeplessness
- Agitation
Although these are the most common side effects of withdrawal, you may experience other symptoms during your detox. What one individual goes through is not the same as the experience of another person trying to overcome addiction to this dangerous drug. If you have used other substances along with meth, your detox can be more complicated. The same is true if you have other health conditions or suffer from mental illness.
Together, everything you will go through and what could happen during meth detox should paint a clear picture of why it is not safe to go through this process alone. You need supportive help from experienced professionals who specialize in addiction detox and medical supervision, in case you need a doctor’s intervention.
Timeline of How to Detox from Meth
One of the biggest questions people want to know about how to detox from meth ask is, “How long does the meth detox process take?” This can vary from person to person. But your process will likely fall between a week to three months.
Factors influencing how long it takes for you to complete meth withdrawal include:
- How long you abused the drug
- Whether you used other substances in polydrug abuse
- How much you used for each dose
- Family history of substance abuse
- Personal history of trauma
- Whether you have co-occurring conditions of mental illness
- Your personal health
- Your metabolism
- Addiction severity
- How you used the drug, such as by injecting, swallowing, snorting or smoking
Of course, there are psychological effects from using this drug that will likely require more than a year for recovery. This is particularly true if you suffer a co-occurring condition, such as depression, anxiety or PTSD. Rebuilding your life will require support and plenty of time.
The same is true of some of the physical changes your body exhibits after a history of using meth. You will have to heal on the outside of your body, just as you need to heal on the inside. But after you end your addiction, you will be surprised how much better the person looking at you in the mirror appears.
The timeline of withdrawal from meth begins within a day to two days after you take your last dose. Acute withdrawal usually takes about a month. After that month, you will probably still crave the drug and suffer ongoing depression. But “sick” feelings will subside and you will be well on your way to recovery.
Below is the average meth withdrawal timeline:
Days 1 to 3:
In the first days after your last dose of the drug, you will feel extremely tired. You will sleep a lot, more than normal. You may also start feeling depressed and anxious.
Days 4 to 10:
You will start experiencing stronger cravings in these days. Mood swings are likely to be drastic. You will feel out of sorts, unmotivated and unable to concentrate. Headaches, body pain and sleeplessness are all common during this timeframe. Some people experience extreme paranoia, hallucinations and anxiety, as well.
Days 11 to 30:
Paranoia and hallucinations usually diminish after the first week. At this time, you will likely continue having problems with sleeping and motivation. Depression and cravings for your drug continue.
One month and beyond:
After about a month of detox, you will start feeling good. While the symptoms may lessen, you may continue feeling depressed. Cravings typically come and go during this phase, getting better but still being there. Over time, all of your side effects of withdrawal will diminish.
Experienced Help Is the Surest Path for How to Detox from Meth
A professional meth addiction detox center is the best choice when you are ready to end your methamphetamine addiction. You can reach recovery through the compassionate support, professional guidance, and comprehensive treatment.
With two detox center locations in Florida, Serenity House Detox & Recovery is a fully-licensed detox center for gaining recovery from meth. At Serenity House, patients are comforted in peaceful surroundings and a cozy atmosphere while gaining medical supervision they need to remain healthy during the detox process.
If you or your loved one needs to gain freedom from a destructive meth addiction and need some serious addiction help, Serenity House Detox & Recovery is ready to welcome you into recovery. Call Serenity House Detox & Recovery now at 866-294-5306 for more information and insurance verification. Help is waiting for you, along with the future in recovery that you deserve.