Methamphetamine is one of the most highly addictive recreational drugs used in the U.S. Many people become addicted to meth faster in comparison to other drugs.

Additionally, its popularity has been rising for years. In 2017, a study showed that over 5 percent of the U.S. population had tried it at least once.

This is a harrowing statistic considering the consequences of even short-term meth use. Because meth is such a potent drug, its detox and withdrawal process is more powerful than that of other drugs. It can even be dangerous to detox alone.

Keep reading to learn more about the meth detox and withdrawal process and how to survive it.

The Basics of Methamphetamine Use

Compared to other recreational drugs such as marijuana and heroin (opium), which have been around for hundreds of years, meth is a recent invention. It was first synthesized in 1919 in Japan.

Meth is part of a class of drugs known to include stimulants and hallucinogens. It is one of the most used recreational stimulants in the world. It’s also the drug that is most often reported to be associated with violent crime in the U.S.

One reason meth is popular is that it can be ingested in several different forms – there’s no stigma around “shooting up” like there is for heroin. It can be snorted,  smoked, taken as a pill, or, of course, taken intravenously.

When someone does meth, they become very intoxicated very fast. The most immediate effect is that of a very powerful stimulant. The user will feel euphoric and confident. They may become flushed and have a rapid heartbeat. They will feel wide awake and will lose their appetite.

Why Is Meth So Addictive?

A meth high is short-lived. The user will start to “crash” more quickly and with stronger effects than that of other stimulant drugs, such as Adderall or cocaine.

The quick high and crash often lead to a cycle of alternating bingeing methamphetamine and crashing in order to sleep it off, with each phase lasting between 10-14 hours.

On a chemical level, meth works on the dopamine receptors in the brain. Dopamine has several functions, but it’s known as the pleasure chemical. Meth injects a huge infusion of dopamine into the brain all at once. The brain becomes flooded with happy, pleasurable chemicals.

This rush of euphoria why meth is so highly addictive. It overwhelms the user with irresistibly pleasurable chemicals. This leads to a powerful physical and psychological addiction that can be difficult to break. They will continue to seek the pleasurable reward by continuing to use.

Physical Symptoms of Meth Detox

When someone stops using meth, you can expect them to begin experiencing withdrawal symptoms soon after. They usually begin within 24 hours of a person’s last dose.

Meth detox is a lengthy process. It can take up to three weeks to stop experiencing symptoms. And the symptoms will peak in severity around 7-10 days after the last dose. This is another reason why detoxing from meth is so difficult – the user is aware that they have a very long, painful time ahead of them.

Withdrawal begins with symptoms such as anxiety and a strong craving to use again. The urge to use is extremely powerful at first and will be the most noticeable and severe symptom at this point.

As time goes on, the user will experience other physical symptoms of withdrawal next. Because meth is a stimulant, meth withdrawal often causes extreme fatigue. The person withdrawing may sleep for 16-20 hours in the first few days of detox.

Sleep will continue to be an issue. Because meth is a powerful stimulant, most people experience disrupted sleep patterns while using it. It can take a few weeks to adjust back to a regular sleep schedule.

The user will also experience headaches, dry mouth, and an increased appetite. Sleeping, eating enough, and staying hydrated are the most important things to stay as healthy as possible during this time.

Psychological Symptoms of Meth Detox

Psychological symptoms will begin to occur a few days after the onset of physical symptoms. These can be even more challenging than being fatigued or ill.

Meth detox is widely known for causing psychosis, hallucinations, delusions, and other symptoms indicative of psychological disruption. Because the person is not in their right mind, this stage increases the chance of relapse significantly.

Psychotic symptoms can also cause users extreme distress. They may be subject to hallucinations that are violent, scary, or upsetting – like a nightmare from which you cannot wake up. Someone who is withdrawing should be supervised during this time.

Not everyone will experience psychosis, but other common emotional symptoms are strong depression, anxiety, and lack of motivation. Because meth motivates the production of dopamine in the brain, the sudden lack of this pleasure chemical can hit a person hard.

Psychological and physical cravings will be strong throughout the entire detox process. The best way to support someone who is withdrawing is to encourage sleeping, eating, and drinking water, and being a comforting shoulder to lean on when the emotional symptoms become overwhelming.

Don’t Face Meth Detox and Withdrawal Alone

Meth detox and withdrawal are the first steps toward getting treatment. Most meth rehab centers cannot admit someone as a patient until they have finished withdrawing from the drug.

The physical and emotional toll from meth detox and withdrawal can last a long time. It’s becoming more common that experts recommend meth users choose a meth-specific rehab center, instead of one that handles other addictions generally (such as alcoholism and heroin addiction).

Detox Center is one of these facilities which is equipped to deal with meth abuse and post-withdrawal. If you or one of your loved ones is facing a meth addiction or meth withdrawal, reach out today to see how our program can help you.