Meth Withdrawal Symptoms

Meth withdrawal symptoms can make ending drug use feel impossible for some people. These symptoms include severe depression, paranoia, and hallucinations. Meth users who inject the drug tend to have longer, more intense experiences with withdrawal symptoms. As the symptoms can remain for weeks, the risk of relapse is high without medical detox and treatment.

Methamphetamine users know the drug doesn’t leave the body quickly. It remains in the blood up to two days after use, in the urine for up to a week, and in the hair for 90 days or more. With meth present in some form for this long, you can imagine the withdrawal symptoms may also linger a long time. So let’s look at what happens to the body when someone lessens their meth use or quits using altogether.

METH WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS

Like any drug use, the type and severity of withdrawal symptoms from meth use can differ. They are influenced by the dose you took, the purity of the meth, the amount of meth used, and many other factors. If you have a history of meth withdrawal, you may recognize some of the acute symptoms below.

• Anxiety
• Chills
• Cravings
• Dehydration
• Dysphoria
• Fatigue
• Insomnia and hypersomnia
• Irritability
• Lack of energy
• Loss of ability to feel pleasure
• Weight gain
• Withdrawing from others

Following the acute symptoms mentioned above, the following symptoms can appear and linger in former meth users.

• Cravings
• Depression
• Fatigue and excessive sleepiness
• Increased appetite
• Mood swings
• Loss of ability to experience pleasure
• Psychosis
• Suicidal thoughts/ideation

METH WITHDRAWAL TIMELINE

24-48 Hours

Meth users may begin to experience their withdrawal symptoms within 24-48 of their last use of the drug. The early symptoms can show up as lower energy levels, nausea, and sweating.

3-10 Days

After the initial crash from the onset of withdrawal, symptoms peak from a few days to more than a week without meth use. Anxiety, severe depression, and fatigue are not uncommon for people to experience at this point. You may notice yourself shaking and feeling muscle aches. Cravings to use meth again may lead to relapse during this period.

14-20 Days

During this period after meth use, you will notice your physical withdrawal symptoms becoming less intense. However, you may still feel tired and depressed, though. Also, cravings can persist and increase the risk of relapse if not addressed.

1 Month and More

You’ve passed the point of the most challenging withdrawal symptoms by now, the physical ones at least. What often remains are the psychological symptoms that must be managed to keep you from relapsing. These symptoms include anxiety and depression.

METH DETOX EXPECTATIONS

Before seeking a meth detox in Dallas, knowing what to expect in advance is valuable. It can ease your anxiety about what detox looks like and involves.

First Stage: Evaluation

A detox team will have questions for you as they want to know about your use of meth. A drug test will answer some of those questions, and you can help them understand your current meth use and past substance use. If you have mental health concerns, the evaluation at our drug and alcohol detox center in Dallas is an important time to discuss those as well. All this information helps the team provide the best possible care for your immediate needs and helps set you up for future success with your sober goals.

Second Stage: Stabilization

This detox stage is about ensuring you’re comfortably handling the withdrawal symptoms physically, emotionally, and psychologically. As symptoms appear, the medical team can address them and ensure you avoid any complications related to those symptoms. In addition, medication may be prescribed to help you cope with sleep issues, cravings, anxiety, or other symptoms stemming from withdrawal.

Third Stage: Transition to Treatment

Detox can be a valuable short-term solution to end meth use if it’s considered part of a sequence of steps to restore your health and well-being. In the final stage of meth detox, planning for the future becomes the focus. The detox team will help you determine the kind of care most aligns with your needs to stay sober. For many people, the transition will be to a residential facility for round-the-clock care, supervision, and programming to provide the skills to sustain sobriety. Other people may be introduced to an intensive outpatient program as a next step.

HELP AT RESTORED PATH DETOX

For meth users in the DFW area who are ready to quit, Restored Path Detox is ready for you. A medically-monitored detox program ensures you experience no health complications from withdrawal symptoms. In this setting, you or your loved one is kept comfortable and stable throughout the time needed for the body to eliminate meth. Medications to assist may be prescribed as well to reduce pain and prevent the development of dangerous symptoms. In addition to medical care, Restored Path provides counseling sessions to equip former meth users with stress management techniques and relapse prevention tools.

 

Restored Path Detox is DFW’s premier location for sophisticated medical detox. Conveniently located in Frisco, we provide a safe sanctuary for healing that is also a state-of-the-art detoxification facility for a wide range of substances. Our compassionate physicians and therapists want you to get well and are committed to removing any existing barriers to your care. Restored Path’s board-certified medical professionals and highly qualified nursing team have extensive critical care experience and are available to monitor your detox program 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If you or a loved one are struggling with drug or alcohol use, call us today and take your first step towards recovery: 469-827-0000.