Although it’s beneficial to end a meth addiction, the withdrawal period is unpleasant and can create problems of its own. Meth withdrawal is not considered fatal, but if symptoms of withdrawal are bad enough a person can die during the process. If withdrawal symptoms last longer than the 14-day period, it is referred to as post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS).
Your addiction does not have to define who you are.
- Whether you have only recently started using or you have used methamphetamine over many years, recovery is possible.
- If that happens, consider seeking out additional resources or find a support group for family members or friends of people living with addiction.
- Understanding what to expect during each stage of detox can help you stay motivated, even when the process is challenging.
Unlike opioid addiction, which is treated using medications like Suboxone, there are currently no federally approved medications specifically for meth withdrawal. However, research has shown that some medications such as anti-depressants may reduce meth withdrawal symptoms. Other studies have shown that medications such as naltrexone (used for alcohol addiction) can significantly reduce cravings for meth.
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This phase lasts approximately two weeks beyond the first 7 to 10 days of recovery. During treatment at a detox center or inpatient facility, medical professionals may prescribe other medications to help manage symptoms. This includes over-the-counter medicines such as Benadryl or trazodone alcohol and opiates for insomnia, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) anti-depressants for depression. The Matrix Model is another form of therapy that has shown to be effective in treating meth addiction. Through guided therapy, patients learn about issues connected to addiction and relapse.
Second Phase
It takes time and effort for an addict to feel better again. Most of the approaches to addiction recovery from this drug are supportive in nature. The aim is to improve the addict’s general health and nutritional status.
Once detox is complete, people can seek counseling and other services to learn how to quit meth and maintain long-term sobriety. As the 2010 study mentioned above explains, most symptoms of methamphetamine withdrawal resolve within 14 7 of the best alcohol alternatives to spice up your sobriety days. However, some people can experience intense cravings for methamphetamine for more than 5 weeks. People can experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop using it. These can range from fatigue and depression to intense cravings.
You may receive a voucher or other reward in exchange for drug-free urine samples. The voucher’s monetary value increases the longer you go without using meth. Some are related to your environment and life experiences, such as having friends who use drugs. When you take a drug, certain genetic factors can increase your risk of developing an addiction.Regular drug use changes your brain chemistry, affecting how you experience pleasure. This can make it difficult to simply stop using the drug once you’ve started. The purpose of therapy is to help the person with the addiction determine the underlying causes of the addiction.
These sessions are designed to promote self-esteem and self-worth while the patient and therapist work together to reinforce positive behavioral changes. During rehab, centers and clinics will often offer a range of treatments such as medications, counseling, and behavioral therapies. Below are some of the more effective therapy options for meth addiction.
However, physical dependence is a common feature of addiction. Withdrawal from crystal meth is most likely not potentially physically damaging unless the individual becomes extremely emotionally unstable and engages in self-harm. While the PAWS period is not necessarily physically dangerous, the psychological effects can lead to risky behavior.
Methamphetamine addicts frequently relapse because they struggle with severe depression and are unable to continue recovery. If you or someone you love struggles with meth abuse or addiction, you are not alone. Reach out to the Archstone Behavioral Health team now to learn about our meth addiction treatment programs. If someone uses meth enough to develop an addiction, he or she will experience withdrawal symptoms without the drug. Although meth is not directly physically dangerous, the side effects it triggers can be.
Your symptoms will be mostly gone or much easier to manage at this stage. It is still important to participate in comprehensive treatment so that you can learn how to prevent relapse. After the acute stage of withdrawal, some people continue to experience lingering symptoms. They may develop a condition called post-acute withdrawal (PAWS). Contact the Archstone Behavioral Health specialists now to learn about our holistic treatment programs.
During the first two days of abstinence, a person experiences a crash, also known as a come down. The body is depleted of energy and becomes more vulnerable to disease. During this time, individuals may experience fatigue, excessive sleep and increased appetite.
This withdrawal symptom can be highly beneficial to those who need to strengthen their immune systems while recovering from meth addiction. Withdrawal of methamphetamine after long-term alcohol withdrawal syndrome abuse results in an inability to feel pleasure because of a lack of dopamine and dopamine receptors. It can take up to two years to restore dopamine balance in the addict’s brain.
Like inpatient treatment, clinical staff are on hand to assist with detox, medication management, and withdrawal symptoms. PHP also involves counseling and group therapy as well as specialized services that focus on skill-building, relapse prevention, and employment assistance. These facilities usually provide 24-hour medical support and are led by a team of clinicians and doctors.
Inpatient rehabs are the best possible solution for those who choose to undergo the withdrawal process. Because withdrawal symptoms are severe, it is strongly advised that users should seek help and shouldn’t do the process alone. At inpatient rehab centers, patients first go through the detox process. Therefore, as part of their treatment plan, the majority of centers provide medically assisted detox. While cold turkey detoxing at home is an option, it is not the safest way to proceed. Intense cravings combined with depression can lead individuals to relapse or engage in dangerous behavior.
They can also refer you to a treatment center and answer any questions you may have. Learn more about the risks and side effects of substance use disorders, including the signs of intoxication or overdose. Dependence refers to a physical state in which your body is dependent on the drug. With drug dependence, you need more and more of the substance to achieve the same effect (tolerance). You experience mental and physical effects (withdrawal) if you stop taking the drug. When someone enters detox for meth addiction, doctors evaluate his or her physical and mental condition.
Reach out to others so that you will not be alone with these feelings. If you or a loved one are addicted to meth, it’s important to seek treatment immediately. There are evidence-based treatments that can help you live a drug-free life. Using meth triggers the release of large amounts of the chemical dopamine in the brain, resulting in feelings of extreme happiness and pleasure.
Addiction Resource is not a healthcare provider, nor does it claim to offer sound medical advice to anyone. Addiction Resource does not favor or support any specific recovery center, nor do we claim to ensure the quality, validity, or effectiveness of any particular treatment center. No one should assume the information provided on Addiction Resource as authoritative and should always defer to the advice and care provided by a medical doctor. Both comedowns and withdrawals are caused by an imbalance in neurotransmitters in the user’s brain. A comedown, which is also called a crash or a down, is a common occurrence amongst people who abuse the substance.
Intensive outpatient programs are less involved than partial hospitalization and typically take place at a treatment center or outpatient clinic. Clients receiving intensive outpatient treatment will visit the center 2 to 5 days per week for 2 to 4 hours per day. IOP is well suited to clients who have just completed inpatient rehab and who wish to receive intense treatment while living off site. Long-term inpatient treatment can vary but ranges between 3 to 18 months.