The authors of the review could not find any studies investigating nonpharmacological approaches to managing methamphetamine detox. Acheson warns that the science of post-meth experiences is incomplete. You can try to anticipate the intensity of your symptoms based on your consumption patterns, but there’s no guarantee around how things will unfold. While symptoms tend to steadily improve in 1 or 2 weeks, sleep issues may actually worsen after improving within the first week. Another small 2011 study involving 13 participants found that depression symptoms largely resolved after 1 week, while anxiety and other symptoms decreased within 2 weeks. Shame and stigma can also have a negative effect on the post-meth experience for some people, notes Vivian Veronica, a methamphetamine specialist.
It is also not advisable to try home detox if you have a dual diagnosis or co-occurring mental condition. Additionally, The Recovery Village asked participants about their meth withdrawal timeline. The vast majority (95%) of all participants experienced meth cravings for up to seven weeks after beginning withdrawal. Certain medications are known to support successful recovery from meth addiction. The detoxification process is challenging with a meth addiction, but it is possible to recover from the addiction.
Some may experience severe mental health problems such as depression or meth psychosis. We are dedicated to transforming the despair of addiction and mental illness into a purposeful life of confidence, self-respect, success, and happiness. Dehydration often accompanies the withdrawal process, which can be dangerous.
Dangers & Risks of Meth Withdrawal
You’ll definitely want to consider consulting a medical professional first if you also intend to stop using other substances you’ve been mixing with meth. This is especially important for alcohol, GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate), GBL (gamma butyrolactone), or benzodiazepines, as these can be dangerous to stop using on your own. The same 2011 study found that participants slept a lot in the first few days of not using meth and reported higher post-sleep refreshment. Yet the overall quality of sleep, measured by the length of time it takes you to fall asleep and the number of times you wake up, remained low even after 3 weeks had passed.
Additionally, other factors, such as the method used to consume the drug, can affect withdrawal. Those who inject meth will typically experience a longer, more intense withdrawal process than those who don’t. During detox, meth withdrawal symptoms are often uncomfortable experiences, and they are typically a significant reason people cannot quit meth on their own. Not only is withdrawal unpleasant, but the symptoms can be dangerous to a person’s health.
Transition Into Further Treatment
These are all signs that the body is ridding itself of the methamphetamine, flushing out the toxin and returning to a state of health. Detoxification is a natural process by which the body rids itself of harmful substances. Methamphetamine detox mirtazapine interactions with alcohol takes about 20–25 hours, based on the half-life of the drug. Methamphetamine withdrawal can be a dangerous process for some, but this is primarily due to dehydration.
What You Need to Know About Meth Withdrawal
Anyone going through meth withdrawal should be carefully monitored for mood changes and receive immediate medical attention if thoughts of suicide arise. When you stop using meth, though, your brain alternative to xanax is left without enough dopamine or serotonin, causing withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms fade as your brain replenishes its store of dopamine and serotonin. Dopamine and serotonin are two chemical messengers called neurotransmitters that can affect a range of things, including your mood, sleep cycle, and digestive process. Meth causes your brain to release its stores of both these neurotransmitters, contributing to meth’s pleasurable effects. No medications are approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treating meth addiction.
- A person ready to stop methamphetamine use can search for local facilities at FindTreatment.gov.
- We are dedicated to transforming the despair of addiction and mental illness into a purposeful life of confidence, self-respect, success, and happiness.
- It is also not advisable to try home detox if you have a dual diagnosis or co-occurring mental condition.
- When people who regularly take methamphetamine stop using it, withdrawal symptoms can occur.
Finding Treatment For Meth Addiction
Both of these forms of care offer access to healthcare providers, support groups, treatment for co-occurring mental health disorders, and behavioral therapy. Since there are no approved medications for meth dependence, treatment during medical detox is supportive. Addiction specialists may instead use medication to provide relief of withdrawal symptoms from meth. Treatment may ease the mood symptoms and prevent short-term physical symptoms like tremors, nausea or vomiting. The National Institute on Drug Abuse states that meth withdrawal symptoms can alter a person’s emotions. While going through meth withdrawal during detox, how to store urine for drug test people often become angry, nervous or anxious.
If the detox is already taking place in a treatment facility, medical staff will help patients transition into the next stage and stay on track toward sobriety. Upon admission, a medical team will assess the patient’s health and well-being. Doctors and nurses typically use urine drug screens to determine the amount of meth that a patient has used recently. From there, the treatment team can develop a detox plan that fits their specific needs. Keep in mind that the doctor may ask a patient questions about their current and past substance abuse. This is necessary for setting up a patient’s long-term recovery plan.