Methamphetamine (Meth) is one of the most addictive drugs and is very difficult to quit using. Meth addiction and withdrawal typically have a pattern of stages as the addiction takes hold and attempts to stop are tried. Medically supervised detox is usually required to overcome the powerful impact of the drug and its withdrawal symptoms. In this article, I outline the stages of addiction and withdrawal.
Meth: A Highly Addictive Drug
Meth is a highly addictive stimulant. It affects the central nervous system, the respiratory system (breathing) and the cardiovascular system (heart). It may be injected, snorted, swallowed or smoked. And it can also be used as pills, a liquid or in a crystal form, called crystal meth.
Meth causes a rapid release of serotonin and dopamine from nerve endings. In high doses, it can injure the serotonin nerve endings and up to 50 percent of the dopamine-producing cells, leading to possible long-term brain damage.
Regular use can rapidly result in tolerance, requiring continued use leading to dependence and ultimately addiction. It is highly challenging to overcome without undergoing detoxification. There isn’t enough evidence to indicate any medication is effective for the treatment of methamphetamine withdrawal.
Stages of Addiction
The process of addiction to meth typically involves a progression of stages, as follows:
Experimentation: Someone may be curious to know what it feels like without realizing that often one use can lead to addiction.
Social Use: Typically the person only uses Meth on social occasions, often under peer pressure. However, tolerance may be building, unbeknownst to the user.
Abuse: The effects begin to take hold and the person feels they can no longer go without using. This is the beginning of dependence.
Addiction: Nothing else matters more than getting high. An addicted person will lie and manipulate to get the drug. They begin to change their priorities and stop doing activities or seeing people they once engaged with.
Chasing the Rush: Usually after smoking or injecting Meth the user will feel the rush. It’s the feeling before the high begins, often felt as an overwhelming feeling of calmness. The rush may last upwards of 30 minutes, far more than cocaine. Physically the rush is experienced as:
- Racing heartbeat
- Speeding metabolism
- Increased blood pressure
Reaching the top: The high settles in. The person may become quite unreasonable and aggressive or hyper-focused on one thing. Extended use can lead to drug-induced psychosis and associated brain damage. Other symptoms include:
- Euphoria
- Sleeplessness
- Irritability
- Confusion
- Hyperactivity
- Lowered appetite
- Hypothermia
- Paranoia
- Aggression
Binging: The person wishes to keep using no matter how high they are.They will do whatever is necessary to get more drugs and continue using. With each binge it becomes harder to achieve the same rush. Binges may last for days and with no sleep.
Tweaking: This phase begins after the binge ends. Tweaking involves a number of behaviors unique to Meth addicts including auditory and visual hallucinations, shakes, rapid eye movements and feeling bugs crawling under their skin, among others. This can be dangerous to the addict and anyone close by.
Tweakers have many unusual behaviors including obsessively taking things apart, packaging items, organizing things, obsessively cleaning the bathroom, jaw clenching, teeth grinding and starting but not finishing projects.
Crashing: The body, overwhelmed by the drugs, begins to shut down. The person will sleep for hours or even days on end causing concern to others that they are okay. They may be sluggish, malnourished, dehydrated, not well emotionally and physically exhausted. Once they feel better, they will seek out the drug again.
Withdrawal Stages of Meth Addiction
An approximate meth withdrawal timeline is as follows:
Days 1–3
According to a 2010 study, certain withdrawal symptoms are at their most intense within 24 hours of stopping methamphetamine use. These include:
- Methamphetamine cravings
- Food cravings
- Depression
This is the most critical stage where the patient experiences a crash. As the effects of the drug diminish, acute discomfort sets in as the body craves the substance. Sweating, nausea, stomach cramps and fatigue are typical. With changes in mood and energy, intense paranoia, depression, and suicidal thoughts may be experienced.
With medical supervision in a detox center, these symptoms can be managed to be somewhat less severe.
Days 4–7
Acute withdrawal phase, the patient may continue to feel agitated, irritable, and experience intense cravings with symptoms peaking within the first 7 days. Frequent mood swings and sudden aches, pains, and tremors are common.
Days 8–15 or longer
Sub-acute phase. Physical symptoms start improving after about the tenth day. Cravings, mood swings, and depression continue. However, medication and therapy should help manage the psychological symptoms and sleep disorders, if present.
As the 2010 study mentioned above explains, most symptoms of methamphetamine withdrawal resolve within 14 days. However, some people can experience intense cravings for methamphetamine for more than 5 weeks.
Days 16–30
Anxiety and depression may remain, but there is slow improvement. Sleep and appetite may improve, as do energy levels. Symptoms may last a short while or be long term.Suicidal thoughts are possible in this withdrawal period.
After 30 days
Within a month the acute withdrawal phase passes. Lingering symptoms of anxiety, mood swings, and depression might be present. Facility staff work to develop effective coping mechanisms for sobriety.
In some cases, the emotional symptoms of withdrawal, such as depression, anxiety, or intense cravings, can last for months. A protracted extinction phase (6–12 months), including cognitive deficits and affective symptoms is possible. Withdrawal symptoms can be sufficiently severe to cause discomfort and relapse to use.
Withdrawal management is therefore an imperative prerequisite to the effective treatment of methamphetamine dependence.
Best Way to Detox from Meth Addiction
Medically-Assisted Detox
How severe the withdrawals are depends on the person, how long they used, and how much was used. Methamphetamines sold as street drugs are made up of many chemicals and substances that may be toxic.
Medically supervised withdrawal is recommended. A doctor, health professional, or counselor should be consulted. Seeking professional help for Methamphetamine addiction is crucial for several reasons.
- Addiction to Meth can cause severe physical and psychological dependence, making it extremely difficult to quit without proper guidance and support.
- The long-term effects of Meth abuse can lead to serious health complications, including cardiovascular problems, neurological disorders, and mental health issues.
Residential Detox Facilities
At The Encino Recovery & Detox Center, we understand the challenges and struggles faced by individuals caught in the grip of Meth addiction, and we are here to provide comprehensive and compassionate treatment to help them regain control of their lives.
Our center offers a comprehensive range of services, including residential treatment, detoxification, and dual diagnosis treatment. We believe in a holistic approach to addiction recovery, addressing the physical, emotional, and psychological aspects of Meth addiction to ensure lasting change.
At The Encino Detox Center, we offer residential detox services that provide a safe and supportive environment for individuals going through Methamphetamine withdrawal. Our team of medical professionals, including doctors and nurses, closely monitor clients throughout the detox process to ensure their safety and comfort.
Our treatment approach encompasses evidence-based modalities, holistic practices, and a compassionate, supportive environment, including:.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Family therapy and involvement
- Group therapy and support networks
- Yoga, meditation, and mindfulness practices
- Nutrition and exercise guidance
Sources
Zorick T, Nestor L, Miotto K, Sugar C, Hellemann G, Scanlon G, Rawson R, London ED. Withdrawal symptoms in abstinent methamphetamine-dependent subjects. Addiction. 2010 Oct;105(10):1809-18. doi: 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2010.03066.x. PMID: 20840201; PMCID: PMC3071736.
