Meth Withdrawal and Detox Center in Dallas

Meth can be taken in a variety of ways. For example, it can be smoked, swallowed in pill form, or snorted as a powder. The powder may also be mixed with water or alcohol and injected into the body. Seeing someone consume it one way doesn’t mean they limit themselves to that single method.

Both physical characteristics and behavior give clues about someone’s meth use. Physical changes can include skin issues, including sores, rotted teeth, and drastic body weight drops, and they may appear frail. Photos online typically show a “before” and “after’ of a person addicted to meth, with a noticeable change even in a relatively short time.

Tweaking, a term for when crystal meth users go days without sleeping, is an example of a psychological sign of this drug’s abuse. They may hallucinate and feel paranoid.

While tweaking, the crystal meth user may move in a jerky manner, talk quickly, and get physically aggressive. This is a behavioral warning sign of abuse of this drug. Other signs include

• Frequent scratching or picking at their skin
• Buying or making smoking paraphernalia
• Hiding drug-related items
• Stealing
• Selling their possessions
• Frequently borrowing money

Short-Term Crystal Meth Effects

Since crystal meth is manufactured and distributed illegally, the risk of other substances being added to it is high. If it’s cut with fentanyl, it can lead to overdose or death. Even without another drug added, meth users face a variety of other risks immediately.

Body temperature rises upon the use of meth. High body temperature can lead to unconsciousness or death. Their breathing will become rapid. Injecting the drug using shared or unclean needles can put a person at risk for disease.

Long-Term Crystal Meth Effects

Using meth can be extremely harmful to your body and mind over time. Crystal meth creates long-term changes in your brain that might be only partially reversible. Meth that is smoked or snorted can result in many respiratory issues, and injected meth, particularly with shared needles, puts you at risk of other serious diseases.

Effects of chronic meth use can include

• Anxiety
• Cardiovascular issues
• Coordination issues
• Damage to brain cells
• Excessive malnutrition
• Hallucinations
• Increased risk of stroke
• Lung issues
• Major dental issues
• Memory loss
• Mood swings

• Nasal irritation
• Paranoia
• Parkinson’s disease
• Self-harm
• Seizures
• Sores on the skin
• “Track marks” from injections
• Increased risk of contracting HIV and hepatitis
• Trouble sleeping
• Violent or aggressive behavior

• The 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health reported of people aged 12 or older, 0.9% (or about 2.6 million people) reported using methamphetamine in the past 12 months, and an estimated 0.6% (or about 1.5 million people) had a methamphetamine use disorder.
• In 2021, an estimated 0.2% of 8th graders, 0.2% of 10th graders, and 0.2% of 12th graders reported using methamphetamine in the past 12 months, according to the 2021 Monitoring the Future Survey.

• In 2020, according to the CDC, approximately 23,837 people died from an overdose involving psychostimulants with abuse potential other than cocaine (primarily methamphetamine).

Behavioral symptoms include

• Experiencing intense cravings for meth
• Trouble completing requirements at home, school, or work
• Inability to stop even after physical, mental, or interpersonal issues
• Quitting or cutting back on hobbies because of use

• Spending a lot of time getting, using, or crashing after a meth binge
• Taking more meth for longer than planned
• Using meth in dangerous situations, such as while driving
• Needing to use more meth to feel the same effects

 

Physical symptoms include

• Burns on fingers or lips from smoking
• Nosebleeds from snorting
• Track marks from injecting
• Changes in eating and sleeping habits
• Dilated pupils

• Excessive energy
• Fast, rambling speech
• Scratching at the skin enough to cause sores
• Significant weight loss
• Talking and moving more than usual

Cognitive symptoms include

• Slow mental processing speed
• Difficulty with attention

• Memory issues

Psychosocial symptoms include

• Isolating from friends and family
• Spending time with new friends
• Major, quick changes in behavior

• Mood swings
• Behavior that is aggressive or chaotic

Withdrawal symptoms vary and are shaped by numerous factors, including the length of meth use, the amount used, the frequency of use, and whether they abused other substances.

Extreme cravings for more meth are common, which is why medically monitored detox is critical. Following short-term recovery, you may exhibit some cognitive deficits like mental processing speed, attention, memory, and planning that may not fully resolve. Research about the longer-term cognitive effects of crystal meth abuse is ongoing.

Symptoms of meth detox may include

• Dehydration
• Depression, apathy, and feelings of hopelessness
• Dry mouth
• Excessive sweating
• Feelings of fatigue, lethargy, and excessive sleepiness

• Increased appetite
• Nausea
• Paranoia, hallucinations, and delusions
• Thoughts of suicide

Withdrawal symptoms are primarily psychological and emotional. Methamphetamines are fast-acting, with a relatively short half-life (an average of around 10 hours).

Crystal meth withdrawal timeline:

• Withdrawal symptoms begin within the first 24 hours of abstinence
• Symptoms peak within the first 7-10 days, then decline steadily

• Average duration of symptoms is about 14-20 days, with 14 days being the most reported duration

Overdosing on crystal meth is possible and can be potentially life threatening. It can disrupt blood flow to the brain and cause a stroke. It can create a blood clot affecting the flow to the heart. Other organ damage is possible as well. Those who overdose on meth may be unaware they’ve ingested a synthetic opioid that was added.

Restored Path Detox provides a safe crystal meth withdrawal treatment for adults. A medical team provides 24-hour care as well as supportive counseling sessions with stress management techniques and relapse prevention tools. For someone with a history of crystal meth use, this medical detox is a valuable first step in getting on a path toward healing and making plans for continuing care once methamphetamine detox is complete.

When detoxing from crystal meth, you may experience relapse and overdose. Upon relapse, many people take their usual dose while using, which may be too high and cause an accidental overdose.

Other medical complications and risks include

• Seizures
• Suicidal thoughts

• Dangerous behavior
• Driving impairment

You are much safer at a medically monitored facility like Restored Path Detox. We’ll prescribe antipsychotic drugs and other medications to treat your meth withdrawal symptoms should they develop. You’ll be safer from overdose and healthier in the long run with our help.