Tapering of Meth and Effective Stimulant Treatment Approaches
When you use meth, the dopamine surge creates intense feelings of pleasure and euphoria. These feelings are easy to chase – which is the reason many people end up using meth more than once. From here, it’s a slippery slope to addiction – but how do you quit?
Many people find themselves wondering how to wean off a meth addiction, particularly after realizing all the adverse effects of regular methamphetamine use. Don’t worry – we have your answers about the meth detox process and recovery.
For clients attending our methamphetamine detox program at South Shores, rest assured that your safety and comfort are the highest priority. We provide 24/7 monitoring to ensure client safety and manage more severe symptoms, coupled with treatment approaches that will help you sustain sobriety long-term. Keep reading to learn more and get actionable advice.
The Addictive Nature of Methamphetamine
Research shows that over time, using crystal meth and similar stimulants changes your brain. It’s easy to become someone you don’t recognize and as your mental and physical dependence on meth becomes stronger, you might find yourself doing anything that you can to secure the drug.
The structural changes that happen after long-term meth use damage the pleasure and reward system in the brain. Things that naturally produce dopamine, like eating good food or having sex, no longer compare to the intensity of a meth high. This makes it challenging to stop using, as it can seem like life has lost its enjoyment.
This is made worse by unpleasant methamphetamine withdrawal symptoms. Even people who have a deep desire to quit may end up relapsing after going cold turkey, simply because of how terrible they feel without using crystal meth.
Common Meth Withdrawal Symptoms
After using meth for an extended time, your body becomes dependent on the substance to feel normal. If you suddenly quit meth, you experience acute methamphetamine withdrawal as your body and brain adjust to functioning without the drug.
Meth withdrawal occurs in two phases; acute meth withdrawal and protracted withdrawal. The most common symptoms of the acute withdrawal phase include these physical and psychological symptoms:
- Fatigue
- Sleeping too much (hypersomnia) or being unable to sleep (insomnia)
- Nightmares
- Slowed movements and thoughts
- Fidgeting, pacing, or other purposeless movements
- Difficulty concentrating
- Depression, which can be severe
- Anxiety
- Psychosis
- Intense drug cravings
Often, the physical symptoms of meth withdrawal start to fade first, while mental symptoms last much longer. The psychological symptoms can also be worse when you quit meth if you have existing mental health conditions.
Protracted Meth Withdrawal
Following these initial symptoms, you’ll experience protracted meth withdrawal symptoms. Common symptoms during this phase include:
- Fatigue
- Mild to severe depression
- Inability to feel happiness or pleasure
- Mood swings
- Increased appetite
- Continued drug cravings
- Psychosis
- Suicidal thoughts
While acute symptoms of meth withdrawal pass faster, protracted symptoms last a few weeks, a few months, or longer for people with underlying issues.
Substance abuse treatment programs can help you learn how to manage these symptoms as they arise, reducing the risk of relapse after you detox from methamphetamine and other substances.
The Meth Withdrawal Timeline
If you’re experiencing withdrawal after you quit cold turkey, you may be wondering how long the meth comedown and withdrawal lasts and what to expect. Acute withdrawal symptoms start within 24 hours of the last time that you use meth. These uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms peak around day three and may persist for 7-10 days.
Protracted withdrawal symptoms are considered the second phase of withdrawal. They begin after 1-2 weeks of being clean and last several weeks. Some people also experience post-acute withdrawal syndrome, which is when these other symptoms linger for months.
While this is the standard meth withdrawal timeline, it’s important to remember that symptom severity and how long they last vary. Factors affecting your experience include intensity and length of meth use, other types of alcohol or drug use, genetics, and overall health.
How to Manage Withdrawal Symptoms
Often, people struggling with meth abuse continue this habit because of its addictive nature. This happens despite the possible negative consequences of meth use. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, using meth can cause symptoms like anxiety, irregular or rapid heartbeat, anxiety, paranoia, stroke, or death. Long-term use also causes skin and hair issues and the condition known as meth mouth.
Unfortunately, there are no FDA-approved medications for treating methamphetamine drug use. This makes it particularly challenging to treat, especially when the intense drug cravings and withdrawal symptoms leave people who quit at a greater risk of relapse.
Challenging, however, does not mean impossible. With the right strategies, it is possible to make it through the more uncomfortable symptoms of meth withdrawal and build skills that will help you maintain sobriety long-term.
Medical Detox
Meth has strong effects on the brain and central nervous system. There are no FDA-approved medications for treating methamphetamine addiction and withdrawal. However, some people seeking crystal meth addiction treatment may be prescribed drugs similar to those used to treat stimulant use disorder as part of a professional treatment program.
For example, modafinil, propranolol, or bupropion might be prescribed to relieve withdrawal symptoms. GABA enhancers, disulfiram, or mental health medications can be prescribed to reduce intense cravings for stimulants like crystal meth.
During medical detox at South Shores, you’ll be monitored 24 hours a day during the withdrawal process in a safe, comfortable setting. As more intense symptoms fade, you’ll be invited to learn tools for relapse prevention to help you break free of the hold that meth has on your life.
Programs Recommended by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Alcohol and drug abuse is a serious problem across the nation. What that means, though, is that there is a lot of information available on treating these conditions.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration serves as a point of information and guidance for a qualified addiction treatment program like ours. Some of the most effective treatments for stimulant use disorders, especially meth use disorder, include tangible rewards, contingency management, dual diagnosis, cognitive behavioral therapy, and various other behavioral therapies.
At South Shores, our team of medical professionals combines these evidence-based practices with our holistic, total wellness approach to healing. We also offer customized treatment programs, tailored to the needs of the individual. No two clients are the same and identifying your needs is essential in overcoming substance use disorder.
We’ll help you overcome addiction and lay the foundation to prevent relapse, but you’ll also meditation on the beach, surf therapy, art therapy, nutritional guidance, medication management, routine and structure building, and much more.
We use our individualized, proven method across all of our treatment options including inpatient rehab, outpatient services, partial hospitalization programs, and intensive outpatient programs.
Finding Support After Rehab
Taking steps toward your recovery does not stop after leaving crystal meth addiction treatment center. What you do once you return home is equally important. It’s important to have a safe, drug-free place to live and emotional support, whether from groups or family members and friends.
At South Shores, we prioritize client aftercare as part of the recovery process. We’ll help you find mental health care, case management, and support groups as needed.
As a bonus, our location in Dana Point and San Juan Capistrano is convenient to all of Orange County and Southern California. Orange County is known for its thriving recovery community and many support groups including Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and SMART Recovery meetings.
Get Help Overcoming Meth for the Long Haul at the Shores
Stimulant use disorder can be hard to overcome on your own – but lasting recovery is possible. This is especially true with the right coping skills, healthy habits, structure, and motivation. You’ll find these things across all professional treatment options at South Shores Recovery.
When it comes to highly addictive substances like meth, it’s important to have a strong foundation in place to build on after inpatient or outpatient relapse. Now that you know how we can help you, there should be nothing holding you back.
Contact us today to speak to one of our Admissions team. They’re waiting by the phone to answer questions about our various addiction treatment options, verify your insurance, and open the discussion about how you can make that first critical move toward recovery.