Symptoms of meth withdrawal can start as soon as a few hours after the last dose for heavy users to as long as several days after stopping the drug.
The severity of withdrawal depends on how long someone has used the drug, how regularly, and size of their usual dose.
For most meth addicts, a complete detox requires inpatient treatment to monitor the course of symptoms. Medical personnel can respond to any crisis that occurs and in some cases, even prescribe a less addictive form of amphetamine to ease withdrawal symptoms.
For addicts, detox should be followed by long-term treatment. A personalized treatment program for meth addiction usually includes behavioral therapy and group sessions.
Major symptoms
These will likely happen to some extent in all addicts who withdraw from meth use:
- Dysphoric mood
- A generally ‘crappy feeling’.
- Depression
- A worsening of mood along with feelings of hopelessness. Ideas about suicide may arise. Depression is a hallmark of meth withdrawal and strengthens as the addict realizes the extent of their problems with the drug.
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- Anhedonia
- An inability to feel pleasure in normal pleasurable activities. Along with depression, this shows up as unwillingness to engage with others or their own lives.
- Hypersomnia
- Extended periods of sleep. Although this is also associated with depression, it first arises as the body tries to recover resources depleted by meth use.
- Insomnia
- This may be related to depression also, but can be the result of unpleasant and vivid dreams. In some addicts, they will dream about taking the drug to relieve cravings or have paranoid-type nightmares linked to their drug experiences.
- Increase in appetite and rapid weight gain.
- This is something like a replacement addiction - eating can be an outlet for pent up energy.
- Strong drug cravings
- This may be a primary reason to detox as an inpatient. Addicts often underestimate how much their personality has changed and how powerful drug seeking behavior will be.
Outlook
Meth addiction can be treated. Although acute withdrawal can be completed in a week without the drug, long term withdrawal symptoms will persist. Medical treatment can help with depression and coping skills. The risk for addicts is that they will think one round of withdrawal and suffering has somehow made them less likely to slide back into full blown addiction. This is not the case.
It has been shown that the changes meth makes in the brain can take up to a year to resolve, and that the psychological addiction will remain for many years. But addicts do recover and, with help, learn to live a drug-free life.
Those in withdrawal should be aware that the depression and inability to enjoy life is a temporary condition that will pass with time. However, continuing support and a program of therapy is essential for most addicts to stay clean in the long run.
photo by Rotorhead
