Meth Addiction Weaning

Methamphetamine (meth) is a highly potent and addictive synthetic stimulant drug that once started is very difficult to quit. The short-term effects of meth, such as increased confidence, more energy, and a need for less sleep, make it desirable. However, long-term use of meth causes significant destruction to health, mental health, cognition, and personal relationships. 

If you are considering quitting meth, you may wonder if meth addiction weaning is a viable withdrawal option. To learn about meth detox, withdrawal, and treatment, please read on

Signs of Meth Addiction

Meth is consumed in several ways: smoked, snorted, injected, or swallowed in pill form. The drug produces a surge of dopamine plus powerful stimulant effects. For these reasons it is possible to become addicted to meth after only one use. 

The signs of meth addiction include physical, psychological, and behavioral symptoms. Here are some of the most common symptoms of meth addiction:

• Insomnia. The stimulant effects of meth cause the individual to be unable to sleep.
• Loss of appetite. Meth addiction reduces the appetite, resulting in a dramatic weight loss.
• Hyperactivity. Meth speeds up neural activity in the central nervous system. This causes rapid speech, compulsive behaviors, nervousness, euphoria, increased sexual libido, rapid eye movements, and jerky motions.
• Paranoia. With continued use, meth can cause symptoms of psychosis, such as paranoia, hallucinations, and delusions. 
• Skin sores. The drug causes a sensation of bugs crawling on or under the skin. This leads to compulsive itching that causes skin sores.
• Severe tooth decay. Serious tooth decay known as meth mouth is caused by excessive dry mouth, jaw clenching and neglect of dental hygiene.
• High-risk erratic behaviors. Impulsive behaviors include, driving under the influence, stealing and other illegal activities, and unsafe sexual practices.
• Trouble with the law. Meth addicts often have legal problems, such as DUIs, child neglect, or arrests for theft or violence. 
• Aging skin. Over time, the facial skin takes on a loose, droopy tone. Other skin effects include facial sores and an odd odor to the skin.
• Paraphernalia. The addict uses various items. These include small plastic bags, aluminum foil strips, lighters, hollowed out pens, cut straws, glass tubes, syringes, armbands, and spoons.

Adverse Effects of Meth Addiction

This dangerous synthetic drug can cause immense destruction in someone’s life. Drug addiction, cognitive impairment, loss of employment, strained relationships, memory loss, and health problems are just some examples.

Here are some additional adverse effects of meth addiction:

• Psychosis. Long-term use of meth may result in severe mental health crisis including delusions, paranoid thoughts, and hallucinations.
• Brain damage. The toxic chemicals in meth have the potential to cause permanent brain damage.
• Parkinson’s disease. A recent study showed that meth addicts were at an increase risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.
• High-risk behaviors. Meth reduces a person’s ability to control their impulses, which can result in them engaging in dangerous activities.
• Explosions and fires. The process of making meth in a makeshift lab or home is very dangerous due to the ingredients being heated. These can cause explosions.
• Accidental overdose. Meth overdose may result in heart attack, stroke, or by organ failure caused by overheating.

Why Meth Should Not be Stopped Cold Turkey

If you are wondering if meth addiction weaning is a possible way to quit the drug, the truth is it just isn’t. This drug is different than opioids, where gradual weaning reduces withdrawal severity. With a meth addiction, weaning is not an option. 

However, it is important not to attempt quitting meth cold turkey on your own. Quitting suddenly without detox and withdrawal support can have tragic results, such as suicide. Starting with the meth crash, the forthcoming withdrawal symptoms will overwhelm you and cause you to return to the drug.

With a monitored meth detox, withdrawal is still difficult but you will receive ongoing support by a trained detox team. The detox team provides key medical interventions once withdrawal symptoms start to surface, which helps to stabilize you. In addition, you will also receive psychological support as needed. After the detox is complete, you will be stable enough to start rehab.

Meth Addiction Withdrawal Timeline

The stages of meth withdrawal begin about 24 hours after last usage. Although the period for withdrawal and the severity of symptoms varies between individual, the process follows these three stages:

Stage One. The earliest stage of withdrawal lasts about 24-48 hours. It features intense fatigue and lethargy, mood swings, abdominal cramping, sweating, and excessive sleeping.

Stage Two. The second stage of withdrawal features an intensification of symptoms and lasts a day or two. Symptoms include agitation, shaking, muscle aches, decline in cognitive function, drug cravings, irritability, and possibly acting out violently.

Stage Three. The last stage of the meth withdrawal can last about two weeks. Even though the physical withdrawal symptoms mostly resolved, there are still other symptoms that linger. These may include fatigue, depression, mild cravings, cognitive issues, anxiety, and sleep problems.

Treatment Options for Meth Addiction

To achieve sustained abstinence from meth, a professional outpatient or residential treatment program is needed. Receiving this expert guidance and support offers the best chance of recovery success, as it helps you change behaviors. To date, there are no specific drugs to assist in reducing meth dependence, so behavioral therapies are the best option.

Treatment for meth addiction includes:

Individual psychotherapy. Taking part in talk therapy sessions includes cognitive behavioral therapy. CBT has been shown to be the most effective modality for treating meth addiction as it targets behavioral change. 

Group therap. Group sessions are led by a therapist or addictions counselor who facilitates discussion among the group around various recovery topics.

Dual diagnosis treatment. Because co-occurring mental health disorders are common among meth addicts, any comorbid condition is also treated.

Holistic. You will engage in various holistic methods that help induce relaxation and self-soothing.

12-step recovery program: A.A.’s 12-step themes are often included in the treatment program. After rehab you are encouraged to participate in a local A.A. or N.A. recovery group for ongoing social support.

Bodhi Addiction Treatment Provides Safe Meth Detox and Withdrawal

Bodhi Addiction Treatment offers expert meth addiction weaning through a monitored detox and withdrawal to guide you safely off the drug. We offer comprehensive outpatient treatment services immediately following the detox. If a more intensive treatment approach is needed, we will refer you to a high quality residential rehab. If you are struggling with met addiction, please reach out today at (831) 515-1657.