Meth Detox

964,000 people over the age of 12 had a meth addiction in 2017. That’s an increase of nearly 41% from the 684,000 people with a meth addiction from 2016. 

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Dr. Langdon M.D.

Medically Reviewed By: Kimberly Langdon M.D.

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Meth is a dangerous and highly addictive drug. It has become a problem widespread across the nation.

Considering that it’s a growing issue, more people are seeking treatment. There are different types of programs, including outpatient or inpatient meth addiction treatment. However, a meth detox program is usually the first step. This is when a patient “detoxifies” from the drug and begins the long road to a full recovery.

The process can be very distressing. However, it’s not as dangerous as detoxing from other drugs or alcohol. That being said, it may still be necessary to attend a treatment center for meth detox.

What Is Meth Detox Treatment?

Once you stop using meth, you’ll most likely suffer from symptoms of withdrawal. Although this process varies from person to person, there are some common symptoms.

The withdrawal process breaks down like this:

  • The comedown (or coming down) is the most intense phase. It generally occurs for the first 24 to 48 hours after the last use of meth. During the comedown, you may feel severe depression or anxiety. You may have aching muscles, sweat profusely, be extremely tired, or eat more. In severe cases, you may even suffer the most dangerous symptom: meth psychosis. Meth cravings usually decrease during this period.
  • Second phase usually lasts for about a week after the initial comedown. Some of the withdrawal symptoms peak during this time. For instance, most patients will experience their highest levels of depression, anxiety, fatigue, irritability, and muscle aches. Plus, they may experience intense cravings for meth.
  • Third phase is less intense. The physical symptoms usually decrease in severity, although they do still affect most users. This is especially true with depression and anxiety—these can sometimes last months. However, the third phase is especially risky for relapses. This is when users feel better physically, but are still experiencing intense cravings. That means that they may actually have the energy to go out and relapse.
  • Final phase is the least intense; however, some users will experience meth withdrawal symptoms for months after the first two phases. This is officially known as post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS).

Meth detox treatment consists of treating these symptoms. There’s no getting around it: quitting meth will be a challenge. Your body will go through a lot and your emotions will likely be unstable. The detox treatment process is all about managing these symptoms. This allows the patient to focus more on their recovery. This may include counseling and group meetings while they complete the rest of their rehab.

Who Needs Meth Detox?

Meth detox is usually necessary for users who have moderate to severe withdrawal symptoms. There are certain factors that may influence the severity of a person’s withdrawal. They include:

  • People with poor overall health will typically experience more severe physical withdrawals.
  • Anyone with poor mental or emotional health will likely suffer more severe depression and anxiety.
  • If the person was a long-time user or if they abused other drugs and alcohol.
  • The purer the product, the more severe the withdrawal symptoms will be.
  • How the person used may also affect their detox process.

In other words, anyone with serious addiction needs to attend a meth detox. Furthermore, if meth psychosis sets in, then detox is absolutely critical. This is an extremely serious symptom. It basically means that the patient has developed a form of mental illness. They may suffer from hallucinations, paranoia, delusions, self-harm, suicidal tendencies, and even violent behavior. If this is the case, they need proper treatment for their meth addiction.

What to Expect from Meth Detox Treatment?

So how do you detox your body from meth? What should you expect during this process? Well, let’s break it down into the following:

  • The staff may administer intravenous (IV) fluids. This is because meth addiction and binging can lead to severe dehydration and even malnourishment. Rehydrating your body will help stop the muscle spasms and aches.
  • Anxiety is a major withdrawal symptom. As a result, a doctor may prescribe muscle relaxants or anti-anxiety medications. These are sometimes administered with an IV as well.
  • For some patients, severe insomnia develops. This usually occurs after they’ve slept through the comedown. In these cases, a doctor may prescribe a sedative to help you sleep.
  • Finally, a doctor may prescribe a medication to treat depression and maybe even decrease cravings. According to research, certain antidepressants have shown promise in reducing meth use and cravings.

Ultimately, you need to get plenty of rest. This will help your mind and body “reset”. That way, you’ll be ready for the next step in your recovery and treatment.

Meth Detox Treatment Types

Meth addiction is a cycle. An addict will crave the drug, use it, stop using, come down, and then repeat the cycle. In fact, meth users frequently go on binges. This is also known as tweaking.

Meth detox is all about breaking this cycle. It’s the first step in your recovery. There are two basic kinds of meth detox:

  • Inpatient – This is where you stay at the rehab facility for the entire process. Under this system, you’re under constant care. You can receive IV fluids and medication. Plus, if there are any complications and more severe symptoms occur, then your treatment can be modified.
  • Outpatient – This is for less severe cases. You’ll likely participate in group meetings or one-on-one counseling. Doctors may also prescribe some medications to help with anxiety and cravings. However, without constant care, the doctor may not be able to prescribe you all the medications you really need.

It’s important to note that the chances of success increase with inpatient detox. Additionally, only board-certified doctors can prescribe any kind of medication.

Why Choose Bedrock Recovery Center

Meth detox is the first step to a better life. You can break free of the cycle of meth addiction. Then you can start your journey to hope, health, and happiness. Bedrock Recovery Center has developed a program to help our patients achieve their goals for recovery. Meth detox is a complex medical process. This means that it needs constant medical support and care.

Our staff of board-certified doctors will use evidence-based medical approaches to help you detox. We can create an individualized plan for each patient and their unique needs. We can also offer meth medication-assisted treatment (MAT). This means that our doctors can prescribe the right medications for you. If you want your path to recovery to begin today, you need to get your mind and body strong enough so you can fight your addiction. Contact us and start your new life right away!

Written by Bedrock Recovery Center Editorial Team

© 2024 Bedrock Recovery Center | All Rights Reserved

* This page does not provide medical advice.

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