Meth Withdrawal Symptoms

Meth Withdrawal Symptoms

Methamphetamine withdrawal occurs immediately after you discontinue the use of the drug. The symptoms of withdrawal are predictable. They will diminish as the body adjusts to not having the drug it craves. There are both psychological and physical symptoms that you or your loved one must deal with, and neither of them are pleasant. The severity and duration of meth withdrawal are all dependent upon how serious the substance abuse and addiction problem was.

The Two Phases Of Meth Withdrawal

Studies show that meth withdrawal can be broken down into two distinct phases. The first phase is the most intense, and the highest intensity can be felt within 24 hours after you quit using the drug. You can expect the intensity to lessen over the subsequent two week period. It won’t be an easy journey, but it’s well worth the struggle to get free from the toxic holds of this drug.

The second phase is not nearly as intense as the first, but it can last anywhere from two weeks to a month. It’s not uncommon for heavy meth users to experience withdrawal symptoms for months after they have discontinued the drug. When the signs of the drug leaving the body linger on, it’s called post-acute withdrawal syndrome.

How Severe Will My Withdrawal Be?

When it comes to the severity of your withdrawal, many things need to be taken into consideration. First, how long have you used methamphetamines? Second, how much of the drug have you been using? Do you smoke/shoot up once a day, several times a day, or are you the type of user who can do it once or twice a week? The frequency has everything to do with the recovery period. Basically, the more dependent your body is on meth, the harder the detoxification process will be.

Age is another factor that goes into the severity of your withdrawal. Younger people tend to be able to bounce back a bit quicker than older people. The resiliency of age is on your side as you go through a substance abuse treatment program.

We cannot forget your physical health when it comes to detoxing. Do you have a history of other drug use? Did you use alcohol alongside meth? What was the reason that you started using the drug in the first place? If you have underlying medical or psychological problems, you may have tried to self medicate with this drug. You will find that the issues meth masked will come rushing back. For instance, if you are bi-polar and used this to cope, then you will be hit full-force with the mental health aspects you tried to hide. It pays to have a dual-diagnosis center helping you so that you can get treatment for both issues.

Symptoms of Methamphetamine Withdrawal

The journey to sobriety is entirely different for each person. Though there are some standard features, you may experience sensations and feelings that someone else did not. Anxiety seems to be the worst symptom for many. This condition makes you think “what if” about everything. What if I have a heart attack and die, or what if I have a stroke? Don’t let the drug play tricks on your mind as it exits your body. Statistics show that more than 30 percent of all meth users have problems with anxiety that cause them to use. As the drug leaves your body, it’s going to exacerbate the situation.

An Impulsive Nature Returns

Some of the best ways to help with the withdrawal effects are to engage in exercise and be prescribed appropriate medication. Adding a prescription to help with the anxiety can help to ease the effects you feel. By nature, meth users tend to be a little bit impulsive even before they begin using this toxic drug, so all those feelings of impulsivity will return when you quit.

Tired and Sluggish Feeling

Methamphetamines amp people up and cause them to be very hyperactive, which means that many people don’t sleep. As you go through the detoxification process, you will find that your activity level is nearly nonexistent. You will feel sleepy, tired, and need the motivation to get up and go. Studies show that the fatigue period peeks around day four or five. It’s not uncommon for you to sleep 11 or more hours each day as you detoxify. Experts have dubbed this phenomenon as hypersomnia, but it won’t last forever. Also, while you are getting all this sleep, you may have some very vivid dreams, some of which may be alarming. Thankfully, they will subside within a week or two.

Cravings For The Drug

Once meth leaves your body, it won’t leave your mind altogether. You will psychologically crave this drug. The cravings can be quite intense, and although they will subside a bit within a month or two, they will always be there in some capacity. Attending a substance abuse rehabilitation center can help you to learn coping skills for the future as well as the present.

Sugar and Carbohydrate Cravings

Meth is notorious for taking away your appetite. However, as the drug leaves your body, it’s not uncommon for you to have intense cravings for sugary, carbohydrate laden foods. These symptoms can especially be prevalent at the beginning of your withdrawal. Expect for this to last a couple of weeks. Though eating sugary foods isn’t going to hurt you, remember moderation. It’s easy to start gaining a great deal of weight when you no longer have the drug suppressing your appetite.

Depressive Mood

Your mood may tank when you are going through withdrawal. About two out of every three meth users experience depression as the drug leaves their body. Usually, there is some improvement by the end of the second week, but the depressive feelings may linger for some. If the depressive state continues for more than a month, then it may be necessary to have an antidepressant to help with this mental health issue.

Psychosis

Because of the effects that the drug has on you, you may experience delusions, hallucinations or other feelings similar to those you suffered when you were using. These symptoms can be severe, which is why it’s important to detox in a Facility where you can have medical and emotional support.

Are you ready to take the first step towards getting free from the toxic holds that methamphetamine has on you? St John’s Recovery Place wants to help you. Call us today at (833) 397-3422. Our admissions staff can help you arrange a stay to get the help you need to live the life you deserve.