Detoxing from Methamphetamine
What is Methamphetamine
Beginnings provides a safe and respectful environment in which to detox from methamphetamine and begin your loved one’s journey towards a full recovery. We believe that every patient is an individual, with unique problems and contributors to their addiction. That’s why we work with every client to offer individual attention and custom care based on their needs. Our methamphetamine detox facility is located in Orange County, California, ready to help your loved one detox in comfort, with dignity, and with the best care modern addiction treatment can provide.
Methamphetamine Withdrawal Symptoms
Methamphetamine affects the central nervous system, typically through the dopamine and GABA receptors in the brain. Interacting with the central nervous system allows the drug to impact the human body in the way it does, but also means that individuals can experience particularly severe withdrawal symptoms. Meth is considered one of the most difficult drugs to detox from, because withdrawal symptoms can persist for months after the final dose.
Users typically experience the following methamphetamine withdrawal symptoms:
- Emotional blunting/inability to feel
- Fatigue
- Agitation/paranoia/restlessness
- Insomnia or sleeplessness
- Cravings
- Suicidal ideation
- Dysphoria
- Mild psychosis
- Vivid dreams
Many users also experience a cold and flu symptoms such as general malaise, itchy eyes, runny nose and similar. These symptoms are not likely to be fatal, although dehydration could develop if diarrhea or vomiting become severe.
Methamphetamine Detox Timeline
Methamphetamine has a very long withdrawal timeline, which typically begins within 12 hours of the final dose and ends up to several months after the final dose. Most users will experience an immediate rebound effect of fatigue, depression, and lethargy which will persist for several months, as the brain and central nervous system slowly revert to normal levels of dopamine and GABA. Detox typically follows a timeline of three stages:
- Crash – Amphetamines have a crash phase similar to other stimulants. Most users crash within 12 to 24 hours of their last dose of methamphetamine. This typically includes depression, fatigue, suicidal thoughts, and inability to feel. Some users also experience hallucinations, paranoia, and anxiety at this stage, although typically only after prolonged heavy use. Crash increases in intensity for the first 3-10 days after which it plateaus. Individuals should be monitored, given psychological and therapeutically attention, and given medical attention throughout this phase to reduce trauma, reduce risks of self-harm, and reduce risks of relapse.
- Cravings – Stage two of methamphetamine detox is defined by intense cravings, which can supersede depression. Here, individuals are at a high risk for relapse and should not be left unsupervised. Many will continue to experience slowly diminishing symptoms from the crash phase, which can be moderate to severe depending on the individual.
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Recovery – The third stage of methamphetamine detox is recovery, which typically starts after about 2 weeks. Here, symptoms begin to taper off and continue to do so over the next 4 or more. In some cases, this will not happen, and users will continue to experience problems with insomnia, depression, emotional blunting, and paranoia for considerably longer. Appropriate psychological support and medical monitoring is important to ensure the individual makes it through this period of detox.
For most individuals, the first period of withdrawal (acute) lasts for about 10 days. Symptoms then taper off over another 2 weeks. - PAWS – PAWS or Post-Acute Withdrawal Symptoms affect chronic abusers and very-long-term methamphetamine users. PAWS typically include anxiety, continued cravings, depression, and mood-swings, which last anywhere from 2-12 months, or an average of about 6. Persons who develop PAWS require ongoing therapy and psychological support to prevent relapse and worsening symptoms.
If you have questions about detox, please contact Beginnings today for a confidential and comprehensive consultation.
Is Methamphetamine Detox Necessary?
To provide a structured, safe and nurturing environment where clients can overcome their substance abuse and related issues by receiving the best in therapeutic care and strong support from our extensive alumni to build hMany people attempt to avoid detoxing at a recovery facility or in a hospital to save face, money, or a combination of the two. However, withdrawing from methamphetamine on your own may be a mistake for more reasons than one. The first is that methamphetamine withdrawal symptoms are intense as are cravings. Many users relapse simply to get away from the crash phase, which can leave you feeling like you want to die.
Another reason is that many people develop severe mental problems during withdrawal. Depression, anxiety, paranoia, psychosis, and suicidal ideation are all common. It may not be safe for you to detox alone because you may harm yourself. Finally, methamphetamine withdrawal can cause symptoms of aggression, which means that you may actually harm people around you.appy, purposeful and productive lives.
Seeking out support and therapeutic care during your recovery is the best way to ensure that you detox from methamphetamine successfully and move into drug addiction treatment.
Detoxing from Methamphetamine at Beginnings
If you or a loved one is ready to detox from methamphetamine, there is a place for you at Beginnings Treatment Centers. Located in beautiful Orange County, California, we specialize in offering the highest standards of addiction treatment, customized to individual needs. We employ a team of compassionate addiction treatment professionals, including licensed therapists, nurses, and a board-certified specialist in addiction medication to ensure every patient gets the quality care they deserve.
We will walk you through every step of methamphetamine detox:
- Intake – Every patient is given a thorough assessment so we can learn more about personal medical history, methamphetamine use, and physical or mental health complications. This initial assessment is used to create a custom detox program to meet the needs of the individual.
- Medical Support – We believe in providing for the comfort and safety of our patients. That’s why we offer 24/7 medical monitoring to ensure your health and well-being. Where necessary, we offer medical support to ease withdrawal symptoms.
- Psychological Support – Psychological support begins early, with counseling and therapy available from the start of detox. We understand that detox can be a deeply traumatic process, which is why we offer support, caring staff, and counseling at every step of the way.
Beginnings Treatment Center believes in offering custom treatment to every individual. When you start our methamphetamine detox program in Costa Mesa, we work to offer personal attention, create custom programs, and fully support your needs. Your privacy, comfort, and ongoing health are important to us, and we make sure you have access to everything needed to ensure a complete recovery, during and after the detox process.
