Meth addiction is notorious for being extremely damaging to one’s overall well-being. From one’s physical health to one’s psychological state, meth can completely and entirely transform someone into a person they do not even recognize — both literally and figuratively.
When under the influence of meth, an individual will experience a number of stimulant effects, including excessive talking, increased physical activity, and partaking in repetitive tasks. He or she can also have a loss of appetite, heavy sweating, paranoia, and uncontrollable jaw clenching. While some of these effects are certainly not desirable, those who abuse meth enjoy the euphoric, energetic high that they experience when under the influence.
But when an individual comes down from meth, he or she can emotionally spiral out of control. For example, once the effects of meth wear off, an individual can experience hopelessness, depression, fatigue, anxiety, insomnia, and muscle pain, to name a few. It is common for those who are struggling during the comedown phase to go back to using as much meth as possible to drown out these effects. This often leads to binges, which are known as “tweaking”. When someone is tweaking, he or she will binge use to the point where he or she does not sleep for anywhere from three to fifteen days straight. Tweaking can also lead to overdose, as the user keeps consuming more and more meth. The more that he or she has in his or her system, the more likely he or she is to suffer an overdose, which can be fatal.
It can be difficult to stop any type of addiction, however, meth addiction is known for how psychologically upsetting withdrawal can be. As a result, several people avoid getting help so they do not have to go through these effects. However, without professional treatment like a drug detox, the continued abuse of meth will only lead to severe consequences, up to and including death.
Meth Dependence and Withdrawal
Meth is such as strong, potent substance that it can only take a few times using it to become hooked. As an individual continues to use more meth, he or she can develop tolerance. Tolerance is when the body is so accustomed to the presence of an addictive substance that an individual must consume more of it in order to get high. Once tolerance has developed, it is only a matter of time until the body becomes fully dependent on meth. Someone who is dependent on meth cannot stop using it without suffering the onset of withdrawal symptoms.
As previously mentioned, those who are dependent on meth and begin experiencing withdrawal symptoms often go back to using in an attempt to alleviate their distress. These withdrawal symptoms can range in severity depending on the individual’s relationship with meth. Some of the most common withdrawal symptoms that can occur when stopping meth use include the following:
- Skin sores
- Acne
- Scratching of the skin
- High body temperature
- Stroke
- Convulsions
- Dramatic weight loss
- Tooth decay (“meth mouth”)
The physical withdrawal symptoms that one can experience after abusing meth can be highly distressing and even life-threatening if not appropriately treated. However, the psychological withdrawal symptoms associated with meth are usually what garners the most attention. These symptoms include:
- Insomnia
- Extreme fatigue
- Anhedonia (the inability to experience pleasure)
- Suicidal ideations and behaviors
- Depression
- Vivid dreams
- Psychosis
- Stroke
- Convulsions
- Dramatic weight loss
- Tooth decay (“meth mouth”)
These psychological withdrawal symptoms can be excruciating. Thankfully, a meth detox center can help make the process of coming off of meth much more comfortable and manageable.
Benefits of Meth Detox
For those who are looking to end their meth addiction, getting through withdrawal while at meth detox is much more possible than attempting to do it on their own. This is because at meth detox, individuals will receive the consistent, around-the-clock support they need in order to push through the challenges associated with detox and make it through to the other side.
While at a meth detox center, some clients will benefit greatly from medication-assisted treatment. Because the symptoms that they can experience while in withdrawal can be uncontrollable and painstaking, there are several different medications that can be administered that have proven effectiveness in meth addiction treatment. For example, bupropion, also known as Wellbutrin, is a widely-used medication that can help minimize withdrawal symptoms in those users who have moderately abused this drug. Modafinil (Provigil) is a stimulant medication that can be used in meth detox to help decrease sleeping problems, increase energy, and improve concentration. Other medications, such as Paxil, Prozac, and Remeron are also utilized in a meth detox center, as they have evidence-based backing that supports the use of them for meth addiction treatment.
In addition to medication-assisted treatment, clients of meth detox will also benefit from the psychiatric support they will simultaneously receive. Mental health professionals are on hand to provide clients with the resources necessary to cope with the psychological symptoms they can experience. Not only can they offer an ear to listen, but they can also help equip clients with some basic coping skills that keep them on track in their recovery. They are also qualified to prescribe medications (such as those listed above) to help the client’s mental state if his or her symptoms do not taper off as expected.
With a blend of services that target one’s physical and psychological health, a meth detox can get individuals through the difficult aspect of withdrawal and into more hands-on care, such as that offered through inpatient and outpatient treatment.
Get Help Now Through a Meth Detox Center
Are you struggling with a meth addiction? Have you made attempts to stop using but wind up using once more? You are not alone. Several people throughout the nation struggle with meth addiction. You do not need to go through this on your own.
By contact us, you can get started on a path towards recovery that will help you restore your wellbeing. Do not wait anymore. Call us right now to discuss your options for meth detox.
“Detox services are provided at our Experience Recovery Program. Often clients who need drug or alcohol detox will begin their journey at Experience Recovery for addition detox and transfer to Breathe or other programs for continued care. We will make sure you receive the highest care of medical detoxification at Experience Recovery.”
