Methamphetamines are among the most potent and addictive illegal drugs. They may come in the form of street drugs such as crystal meth or prescription drugs that are illegally obtained. It is very easy to become chemically dependent on methamphetamines, even if they are not used for recreational purposes. Whenever a chemically dependent person stops using the drug, the body will go into severe withdrawal. Meth withdrawal symptoms will come on swiftly and strongly as the body detoxifies itself. Getting professional help from a meth abuse treatment center is the best and safest option for individuals seeking to break the cycle of meth addiction.
Knowing what you can anticipate may make for a more successful detox at a substance use treatment center in North Carolina, as you know that these symptoms are only temporary. Call Red Oak Recovery® today at 866.457.7590 to learn how we can help.
Warning Signs of Meth Abuse and Addiction
Methamphetamine is a highly addictive and dangerous drug. Long-term meth abuse can lead to attention, memory, and judgment deterioration, among other unpleasant and often severe health issues. Knowing what to look for is key to being able to recognize when someone needs help.
Some warning signs and symptoms of meth abuse include:
- Isolation from friends and family
- New or worsening problems at home, work, or school
- Violent outbursts or mood swings
- Legal or financial trouble related to meth addiction
- Stashes and paraphernalia around the house or car
- “Meth mouth” or rotted teeth
- High energy levels when on meth
- Malnutrition and decreased appetite
- Sleeplessness
- Short-term memory loss
- Trouble paying attention
- New or worsening mental illness
- Paranoia
- Hallucinations and meth-induced psychosis
- Potential for overdose
- Withdrawal symptoms when unable to use meth
Meth abuse can lead to heart problems, brain damage, seizures, stroke, and even in some cases, death. The withdrawal symptoms when a person stops using meth can be so uncomfortable and severe that they choose to avoid them altogether and stay stuck within the cycle of addiction. The safest option for someone seeking to break their addiction to meth is with professional care and support at an addiction treatment facility.
Meth Withdrawal Symptoms
A methamphetamine high may last as little as 30 minutes, but the drug remains in your system for up to 12 hours. It is after this period of time has elapsed that the withdrawal symptoms will kick in, but it is after 24 hours that they become most noticeable. These symptoms may be both physical and psychological.
Some common meth withdrawal signs include the following:
- Severe headaches
- Loss of appetite
- Inability to concentrate
- Loss of memory
- Exhaustion
- Sleeplessness
Additionally, you may experience the following:
- Paranoia
- Diarrhea/constipation
- Intense craving for the drug
- Breathing problems
- Sweating/clammy skin
- Irregular heartbeat
- Uncontrollable shaking
As you can see, a detox from meth can be a tremendously difficult experience. The inability to tolerate the withdrawal symptoms is a major reason why most people need assistance in quitting, even if they have tried on their own in the past. Professional substance use treatment not only helps you deal with withdrawal. There, you also learn to deal with the negative behavioral cycles that influence addiction and learn long-term strategies for staying clean.
The Importance of Detox
As you have seen, the common methamphetamine withdrawal symptoms can put even a healthy person in a medically fragile state. If the user has heart problems, respiratory conditions, or any other health problem, they must be under the care of an addiction treatment professional when they are going through detox.
Some of the more uncommon severe symptoms include visual or auditory hallucinations that can put them in an altered mental state, which may result in self-harm or harm to others. It is not uncommon for users to suffer from extreme anxiety during the process, and once the symptoms have run their course, they are still prone to extreme exhaustion paired with insomnia. This is a nearly intolerable condition that can drive them to use it again just in an effort to feel normal.
Additionally, detox allows you to begin addiction therapies that help your recovery. In these sessions, you can learn about the dysfunctional behaviors and thought patterns of addiction. Your clinicians will also help you understand the long-term skills you need for a fulfilling recovery.
It is not uncommon for depression to set in and persist for a long time after completing detox. Long-term users may also have a condition called anhedonia, which is an inability to experience any pleasure. This, along with other painful health problems such as skin lesions and dental problems caused by the use of the drug, may keep the user in distress long after they have stopped using the drug.
Get The Help You Need at Red Oak Recovery®
Do you or a loved one need help with meth withdrawal symptoms? Red Oak Recovery®’s meth addiction treatment center specializes in treatment for those struggling with methamphetamine addiction. Call us at 866.457.7590 for more information or to make an appointment for a consultation. You can also reach us by filling out our online contact form.
