When you first got married, he was in great shape. Not just physically, either. He inspired you, motivated you, and taught you to see the world in new and exciting ways. But since he got involved with meth, he isn’t the same. You’ve been trying to get him to quit for years, reminding him about how important his family and high-powered career are. But he always finds his way back to meth.
He claims it is just too hard and he doesn’t have the time to commit to treatment. It doesn’t matter how many facilities he has tried, he just can’t shake the desire to return to meth, time and time again. The withdrawal symptoms that he experiences are just too much for him. There have been too many mornings where he’s gone to work high, and your worry never seems to end. Is recovery even possible at this point? Is there hope for your marriage?
In Tampa, Florida, 205 deaths involved meth in 2021. Tranquil Shores provides a 3:1 client-counselor ratio to give your husband the attention he needs to recover successfully. By having the ability to meet with his counselor multiple times throughout the week, he has a higher chance of being able to manage his withdrawal symptoms with a facility that understands his journey. Meth withdrawal might seem scary for those who are experiencing it, but they don’t have to do it alone.
What Is Meth Withdrawal and Why Does it Keep People From Recovery?
Methamphetamine, also known as meth, is a powerful stimulant. It is often a white crystal powder that can dissolve in water or alcohol. Medical professionals might use it to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
However, when used illicitly, people often take higher doses than what doctors prescribe. They might smoke, orally ingest, inject, or snort it. It often gives the person a rush that encourages them to continue using it because of its pleasure.
Following that rush, however, is the crash.
Meth withdrawal typically occurs during this crash. It happens when you are no longer using meth. Your body is asking for more meth because it has become dependent on it. It is also removing meth from your system. Both of these things cause side effects and cravings. Withdrawals can prevent someone from recovering, or they might even cause a return to use, because of the intense cravings that the person experiences. Oftentimes during the withdrawal period, people feel that returning to meth is the only way to relieve the symptoms that they are feeling.
Meth Withdrawal: Causes
Repeated use of meth can result in a meth use disorder. Your body has become dependent on meth. You might have been using meth to stay awake, focus, and for pleasure among other reasons. Your body has depended on meth to provide those things. When you stop using meth, your body will naturally remove meth from your body. As it releases what it was last given, it wants more. This leads you to have symptoms such as cravings or depression.
Potential Dangers of Meth Withdrawal
One of the biggest dangers of meth withdrawal is experiencing suicidal ideation due to new or worsening depression. Even if you only passively consider suicide, it can lead to active suicidal ideation if you do not seek treatment.
Also, due to the intense cravings associated with meth, if you decide to return to meth, you are at an increased risk of a meth overdose. Death from a meth overdose is rare, but serious complications often occur. Some symptoms of a meth overdose include:
- Fast heartbeat
- Labored breathing
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
- Hyperthermia (high body temperature)
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Chest pain
- Psychosis
If you or a loved one experiences any of these symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Symptoms of Meth Withdrawal
You experience withdrawal symptoms because your body has become dependent on meth. You probably won’t experience all the symptoms listed, but you will experience some of them. Symptoms occur differently for every person so you might experience a different combination of symptoms than someone else.
Psychological Symptoms
Depression and anxiety are common symptoms of meth withdrawal. Most people also experience intense cravings. Sometimes people experience feelings of agitation, while others experience a slowing of mental energy. They typically won’t want to do as much as they did when they were on meth. Some people experience dreams that are vivid or unpleasant. People can also experience symptoms of paranoia or hallucinations.
Physical Symptoms
A withdrawal symptom many people feel when withdrawing from meth is fatigue. One of the meth side effects you experience is wakefulness, so when you go off of meth, you no longer have the substance keeping you up all the time. Because of this, you might experience hypersomnia where you have excessive daytime sleepiness or sleep longer than you are used to at night. Meth also decreases your appetite when you are on it, but when you go off of it, you will find that your appetite has increased.
Meth Withdrawal Timeline
Meth withdrawal can be split into two phases. In the first phase, known as the acute phase, you will experience symptoms such as depression and cravings. This typically lasts 7-10 days with the highest symptoms peaking around 24 hours after stopping meth. The second stage of meth is the subacute phase. This phase typically lasts for 3 weeks. Symptoms are typically mild and stable for two weeks before dissipating in the final week. In total, meth withdrawal typically lasts 1-2 months on average. The time it takes to withdraw from meth depends on how long you have taken it.
When Medical Intervention Is Needed
There are some things to be aware of that need medical attention if you experience them. One of those signs is suicidal ideation. If you have thoughts or plans of suicide at any point, you should seek medical assistance. Also, if the cravings are getting to the point where you don’t know if you can resist any longer, seeking medical assistance can help. This can help prevent an accidental overdose.
Get Help For Meth Addiction
Seeking meth addiction recovery might seem like an uphill battle. You don’t want to put work aside just to get help. You might even think you can do it on your own. You’ve done so much on your own already. Maybe you worry that the meth withdrawal symptoms might make it difficult for you to succeed, so you accept that meth is a part of your life. The truth is that meth recovery is possible at any point in your life. While it is true that the world doesn’t stop just so you can receive treatment, it also means that it will still be there for you after treatment.
At Tranquil Shores we know that putting work aside to get treatment is difficult. This is why we allow you to keep your phones and computers while you stay at our facility to seek treatment. You can do both work and treatment simultaneously. Treatment involves attending various therapies that are meant to teach you life skills. These skills include managing your thought patterns, reducing symptoms related to post-traumatic situations, managing emotions, and negotiating social relationships.
Tranquil Shores is located on a beach in the Tampa, Florida area. We are a high-end, beachside facility with the goal of creating comfort and support during your recovery. We strive to help you reclaim your life by providing individual therapy with a full-time nursing staff. For more information about meth recovery, call us today at 727-591-4119.
FAQs About Meth Withdrawal
What Are Meth Withdrawal Symptoms?
Meth withdrawal can come with several side effects. You might not experience all of these side effects, but you will probably experience some. The most common side effects of meth withdrawal include depression, cravings, anxiety, agitation, daytime sleepiness, sleeping longer than normal, increased appetite, decreased alertness, paranoia, and hallucinations.
How Long Does Meth Withdrawal Last?
Meth withdrawal is typically split into two phases. The first phase has symptoms peaking around 24 hours after your last use before starting to dissipate. It will typically last 7-10 days. The second phase typically lasts around 3 weeks. The first two weeks will have mild symptoms that remain stable in intensity. In the final week, it will start to decrease in intensity again. Overall, meth withdrawal typically lasts 1-2 months. However, how long you had been taking meth before starting the withdrawal period will determine how long the withdrawal period lasts.
