Crystal Meth Withdrawal Symptoms And Treatment: What To Expect
- Crystal Meth Withdrawal Symptoms and Treatment: What to Expect
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration ” rel=”nofollow”> 1https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/cbhsq-reports/NSDUHFFR2017/NSDUHFFR2017.htm#toc), approximately 1.6 million people or 0.6 percent of the population reported using methamphetamine within the last year in a 2017 survey. The same study says that the average age of new methamphetamine users was 23.3 years old in 2016. Overall, methamphetamine use affects many individuals within a broad age range each year in the United States.
While the use of methamphetamine, or crystal meth a common form of the stimulant methamphetamine, is quite addictive, recovery is definitely possible. But, without the proper knowledge of detox methods, meth withdrawal can be dangerous. Remember, for the safety of yourself or your loved ones struggling with crystal meth addiction, it is always best to seek guidance from trained professionals at a treatment center. Read on to learn more about methamphetamine addiction, crystal meth withdrawal symptoms, and steps you can take when seeking treatment for crystal meth addiction.
Brain Recovery After Meth Abuse
Meth addiction permanently changes the brain. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, studies have shown that chronic meth use alters the part of the brain that controls emotions and memory. It can also reduce motor speed and impair verbal learning.
This means that people in recovery from meth addiction may have problems learning and controlling impulses. They may have problems in school, at work or within the family. It takes time and commitment to overcome lingering problems caused by meth abuse.
But scientists have found that the brains of methamphetamine users can improve over time. In fact, brain scans show that reduced dopamine levels in the brain caused by continued meth use improve significantly after 14 months of abstinence from the drug.
Side Effects On The Body
One study found a higher rate of Parkinsons disease in people who used meth in the past. Other long-term side effects of meth on the body include tooth decay, tooth loss, gum disease, thinning hair, weight loss and skin sores. People who use meth are at a higher risk of stroke and heart attack. Meth can also damage your liver and lungs.
Other heart problems that meth can cause are fibrous tissue formation, blood vessel spasms, muscle tissue death, coronary heart disease and high blood pressure. Meth damages the immune system and increases your likelihood of catching infectious diseases. Kemah Palms offers nutritional evaluation and guidance that youll find helpful in following a healthy diet for recovery from the physical damage caused by meth.
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Is Meth Damage Reversal Possible
In a study conducted by Temple Universitys Department of Psychology and Center for Substance Abuse Research in 2010, a team of researchers sought to determine if the brain could properly heal after long periods of drug abuse . In the case of meth, those who are in recovery from it scored exceptionally low on certain tests. The tests were for motor skills, speaking, and mental tasks in contrast to test subjects who had never consumed this drug. Remarkably, the former meth users showed improvements in motor and verbal skills after a healing period of 12 to 17 months. Taking different factors , victims can heal from meth addiction. However, it required a slow period of rehabilitation.
Three Stages Of Meth Withdrawal
There are three stages of withdrawal from meth that individuals should know about. Here are the three main stages of the methamphetamine withdrawal timeline.
Crashing During withdrawal, the first stage is known as the crash. In most cases, this period lasts for the first forty-eight hours of withdrawal, and individuals will often experience a sharp decline in energy and overall cognitive function. Common symptoms that take place during this period include nausea, vomiting, sweating, and intense abdominal cramping.
CravingsAfter crashing, intense cravings typically occur within three to twenty days after discontinuing intake. Some symptoms of cravings include preoccupation with the substance, severe depression due to lack of meth, and a strong desire to start intake. Without proper medical supervision, this stage may result in relapse.
RecoveryThis stage defines the point in time when the meth withdrawal symptoms begin to subside. During recovery, individuals can focus on avoiding relapse by opting for therapies or behavioral counseling. Joining a support group is also a helpful step to take during recovery.
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Holistic Treatments For Withdrawal
Earlier, we mentioned natural methods for withdrawal and how important they can be. Many drug detox programs also have holistic treatments that help to address withdrawal very well.
A persons nutrition is very important, and this is especially true for someone with a meth addiction. The drug causes a decrease in appetite, which is why so many who use this drug are malnourished. Holistic detox treatments often involve nutrition therapy, which can help the individual feel better faster.
Can You Recover From Meth Addiction
While recovering from meth can be a taxing process, it is very possible and very worth it. Those with meth addictions are completely able to fully recover from their addiction and live a happy & healthy life, as long as they are committed to getting sober and seeking change. If someone wants to recover from a meth addiction, they have to understand that the detox process may be difficult at times. They may even slip and relapse a few times. But the important part is that they pick themselves back up and work to get to the root of their addiction and stop it at the source.
Once someone recovers from meth, they will regain a lot of everyday abilities that they lost and may have taken advantage of when they had them. Recovering from meth allows individuals to stabilize mood swings, normalize their brain receptors, improve their depression or anxiety, have less nightmares, improve their focus and attention, and reduce jitters or emotional outbursts.
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The Role Of Healthy Coping Mechanisms In Recovery
But acknowledging trauma is not the same thing as using trauma as an excuse for abusing substances. It may be difficult to acknowledge on a personal level, but we must learn to process life experiences in healthy ways if we are to overcome substance abuse issues. Too often, addiction results from unhealthy coping mechanisms learned early in life: Learning to cope with life stressors in a healthy way can do much to help us overcome substance abuse.
Drug Testing For Methamphetamine
There are many different drug tests that can detect this type of drug. Each test will use a different bodily substance or fluid to detect meth.
Some of these drug tests are used by large organizations or professional networks to check for drugs. Some drug tests can also be purchased at pharmacies or online. You can use these drug tests to check whether someone you know is using meth.
The most common drug tests used to look for amphetamines include:
- Urine tests. These drug tests are the most inexpensive and also the easiest to administer. These tests are used for workplace screenings and by drug treatment centers. Theyre also the easiest drug tests to get your hands on. Many people will use urine tests to see whether their loved ones are using meth. The urine sample is collected in a cup, and a dipstick is used to test the urine.
- Blood tests. Drug treatment centers, sports administrations and the police usually use these drug tests to check for methamphetamine. The blood sample is collected by pricking the persons finger or by injecting a needle in an arm vein. This test is not as easy to administer. A professional is needed to collect the blood sample.
- Saliva tests. This test is also a common test used in workplace environments. The test involves placing a piece of absorbent material in the mouth or under the tongue.
- Hair tests. 40 to 50 strands of hair are collected for this test. The hair closest to the scalp is used. A minimum of 1.5 inches is needed.
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How Long Does It Take To Detox From Meth
Methamphetamine is a stimulant drug that has a powerful impact on your mood, energy levels, and alertness. Due to its potency, it is very addictive which means you can develop a dependency and addiction to it fast. Once these have occurred it becomes hard to quit.
Drug abuse can be dangerous, particularly with potent drugs such as meth. If you or a loved one is struggling with meth use, the sooner you get help the easier it will be. This blog outlines the meth detox process, signs that you need to seek medical detox, and where you can get support.
Is Quitting Shabu Cold Turkey Safe
People who are addicted to Shabu will often try to quit using on their own before attempting treatment. It seems like it might be the easier way out, and unfortunately, its not. Quitting meth cold turkey is never a good idea, simply because the risk of overdosing is too high.
Meth addicts are usually not aware of how bad the withdrawals can become. They may be familiar with mild withdrawal from not using for short periods of time. However, as time goes on, the symptoms become much more severe.
- Becoming unresponsive or even slipping into a coma
- An extremely high body temperature
- Severe pain in the stomach
- Having a heart attack
Unless you get immediate medical help, a meth overdose can be fatal. However, if youve used too much, there may not be enough time for paramedics to get to you.
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What Is Meth Detox
Detoxing from meth is the process of quitting and allowing it and its metabolites to leave your body. Metabolites of meth are the substances it breaks down into in your body. These can also be toxic. During detox, your brain and body readjust to no longer having meth. This involves having to work through the meth withdrawal symptoms which occur when you are dependent on this substance.
Dependence can develop rapidly with meth. It occurs when your brain adapts to the drug to a point that it feels it needs it to function normally. This is why you experience meth withdrawal symptoms when you quit. Meth addiction is sometimes confused with dependence, but they are different. Addiction is a brain disease that changes your behavior, causing you to compulsively take the substance to which you are addicted. It is common for it to be experienced at the same time as dependence as they both develop gradually in response to drug use.
Crystal Meth Withdrawal Symptoms
Along with being aware of the common signs of meth addiction and the long-term effects of meth use, it is also very important for the safety of anyone struggling with meth addiction to be aware of the common symptoms associated with crystal meth withdrawal.
Some of the most common signs and symptoms of meth withdrawal include:
- Red and itchy eyes
- Severe depression
Typically, the most intense symptoms of crystal meth withdrawal occur within 24 to 48 hours of the last use of the drug. After the first week of sobriety, most of the intense crystal meth withdrawal symptoms begin to taper off. But the effects of meth use can be experienced for months or even years after using crystal meth. Symptoms like depression and anxiety tend to persist on a long-term basis for individuals maintaining sobriety from crystal meth use.
Another struggle many former meth users deal with is the inability to experience pleasure. This inability to experience pleasure is also known as anhedoniahttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5828520/. Essentially, many former meth users experience anhedonia because it can take as long as two years for dopamine levels to return to normal after the last use of the drug.
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Meth Use & Addiction: The Basics
Methamphetamine, which is more commonly referenced as meth or crystal meth, is a very potent and addictive stimulant drug that affects the central nervous system. Meth is illegal in the United States and is typically used for recreational purposes. When people consume meth, they are likely to feel a euphoric and high-energy sensation.
Since meth is so strong, it quickly leads to dependence and addiction. Dependence occurs when someones body begins to rely on meth. The more someone uses meth, the higher their tolerance will become and the more they will need to feel the same effect. Meth addiction is a huge problem in the United States and has led to brain damage, withdrawal, and even death.
Phase : First 48 Hours
As discussed, the first 48 hours are often the most difficult in the timeline of crystal meth withdrawal. This first phase is known as the crash period. During this time, individuals will experience intense symptoms of nausea, abdominal cramping, and sweating. Due to this experience, it is essential that individuals are monitored in order to avoid extreme hydration. During this phase, there will also be a sharp decline in an individuals cognitive, or mental, function and overall energy levels.
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Do I Need Medically Supervised Detox
Medically supervised detox is where you undergo detox in a clinic or addiction treatment center. There are risks associated with detoxing from meth, so it is recommended that you get professional support to do it. Risks can include depression and psychotic episodes. There is also a risk of relapse and self-harm. Experiencing withdrawal under supervision allows medical professionals to make sure that you are as safe and comfortable as possible in a meth-free environment.
You may also be offered medication to help with the methamphetamine detox and withdrawal process. You could be prescribed different drugs to relieve the severity of withdrawal symptoms. These include:
- Bupropion an atypical antidepressant that reduces cravings
- Modafinil a mild stimulant used to treat narcolepsy and ADHD that can help with cravings and problems sleeping
- Fluoxetine a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressant that can help with panic attacks and other symptoms of anxiety
Signs that could suggest you need to undergo medically assisted detox include:
- using meth for a long time
- experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you stop
- trying to quit but not managing
- abusing multiple drugs
However, it is important that you speak with a medical professional before you begin the initial withdrawal process. They can give you a full assessment and provide you with medical advice.
How To Quit Meth
Methamphetamine is a notoriously hard-to-quit substance. Withdrawal symptoms are uncomfortable even if a person has only used meth for a short time. Withdrawal symptoms are more likely to occur based on how long and how much of the substance has been used. It usually does not matter whether the drug has been snorted, smoked or injected because of how profoundly meth affects the brain.
There are generally two methods of quitting methamphetamine: cold turkey and a treatment program. Quitting cold turkey and suddenly stopping use is challenging and can have a low success rate. Alternatively, a person can enter a meth addiction treatment program for access to peer support, therapy, management of co-occurring disorders and long-term maintenance treatment. Treatment programs are typically more successful than cold turkey methods.
Beyond seeking professional treatment, these additional tips can help a person quit meth:
- Be honest with friends and family and build a support network.
- Get rid of all methamphetamine and paraphernalia available to you.
- Start exercising regularly and engage in other healthy behaviors.
- Build hobbies and other interests that you can do when you start having cravings.
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How Common Is Meth
The New Mexico Department of Health reports overall drug overdose deaths among New Mexico residents increased from 491 in 2017 to 537 in 2018. This is an increase of 9%. It is notable that this increase is largely due to methamphetamine overdose deaths.
Sadly, the 537 overdose deaths in 2018 was the second-largest number of drug overdose deaths recorded for New Mexico. The largest number of drug overdose deaths was 540 in 2014.
According to the NMDOH, methamphetamine use was the main reason for the increased drug overdose death rates in 2018. In 2018, 36% of overdose deaths involved methamphetamine, which is an increase from 31% of overdose deaths involving methamphetamine in 2017 and 12% of overdose deaths involving methamphetamine in 2012.
Find Help For Meth Addiction
The most common meth addiction treatment is behavioral therapy.3 The goal of behavioral therapy is to change specific behavioral patterns that are damaging and that have contributed to meth misuse.7 Therapists support people in replacing problematic behaviors with helpful techniques to reduce distressing feelings or urges.7
Behavioral interventions that may be used in treating meth addiction include:3
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy.
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Meth Rehabilitation Programs For Women
There are so many different types of treatment programs for meth addiction. It truly is a matter of personal preference, and what will work the best for each, individual person.
Some women will need to enter into an inpatient program because they need a high level of care. Others may do quite well in an outpatient treatment program or an IOP. There are also some whose addictions are so severe that they need sober living.
Methamphetamine Research Reportwhat Are The Long
Long-term methamphetamine abuse has many negative consequences, including addiction. Addiction is a chronic, relapsing disease, characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use and accompanied by functional and molecular changes in the brain.
As is the case with many drugs, tolerance to methamphetamines pleasurable effects develops when it is taken repeatedly. Abusers often need to take higher doses of the drug, take it more frequently, or change how they take it in an effort to get the desired effect. Chronic methamphetamine abusers may develop difficulty feeling any pleasure other than that provided by the drug, fueling further abuse. Withdrawal from methamphetamine occurs when a chronic abuser stops taking the drug symptoms of withdrawal include depression, anxiety, fatigue, and an intense craving for the drug.43
In addition to being addicted to methamphetamine, people who use methamphetamine long term may exhibit symptoms that can include significant anxiety, confusion, insomnia, mood disturbances, and violent behavior.47 They also may display a number of psychotic features, including paranoia, visual and auditory hallucinations, and delusions .48 Psychotic symptoms can sometimes last for months or years after a person has quit using methamphetamine, and stress has been shown to precipitate spontaneous recurrence of methamphetamine psychosis in people who use methamphetamine and have previously experienced psychosis.49
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