As anyone who has ever had a meth addiction can tell you, meth is an extremely addictive drug. If you use the drug just once, you have a likely chance of forming a strong dependence on the substance. The addiction can become so severe that meth withdrawal symptoms may be harmful or even life-threatening. Meth withdrawal and detox can be daunting experiences.
For this reason, you may try to avoid going through detox. However, the pain of detox is nothing compared to the long-term health effects you will experience if you stay on the drug. Therefore, if you are having difficulty getting clean, you should check into a meth addiction treatment in Worcester Massachusetts. Doing so will give you the support and strength to succeed.
Why Meth Detox Can Be Difficult
When you first go through meth withdrawal, it will take between 12 and 24 hours for the symptoms to occur. At first, you may experience extreme fatigue. Next, you will go through a round of depression. It is also possible to experience paranoia, hallucinations, anxiety, and even insomnia.
Your anxiety will come, in part, due to your intense cravings, which will seem unbearable. If you have been using meth for several weeks or months, then your brain suddenly has to function without the high levels of dopamine. When the dopamine disappears, then your brain must relearn to produce normal levels of dopamine. This may be a long process that is drawn out over several months.
So, your withdrawal symptoms are both psychological and physical. Other symptoms may include:
- Emotional distress
- Intense cravings
- Flu-like symptoms
- Lethargy
- Suppressed appetite
- Low metabolism
One of the things that you may notice in the first few weeks is that your appetite finally comes back. Therefore, you are likely to eat a lot more and gain a lot of weight. This is normal when recovering from substance abuse. Eventually, your metabolism will return, and your weight will go back to normal.
The Stages of Meth Withdrawal
Many treatment specialists observe the three stages of meth withdrawal. These three stages include:
Stage 1: The Crash
The first stage of meth withdrawal is commonly called the “crash.” The crash usually lasts for about ten to fourteen days. The reason they call it the crash is that you will drastically lose energy and mental ability. You may eat large amounts of food or sleep. However, you may also have insomnia and not want to eat at all.
Stage 2: The Cravings
Even when your initial wave of symptoms goes away, it can take up to three months for your cravings to disappear. For some people, it may take longer. Part of your cravings involves feeling powerless and useless after getting off the drug. You desperately want that feeling again.
Stage 3: The Recovery
In the final stage of recovery, you finally begin to feel better. Your health is returning, and so is your hope. Your cravings start to go away and lose their intensity. You are completing your addiction therapy programs and looking forward to long-term recovery. Keep in mind that this process can last for several months up to a year.
Detox is Hard, But Not Impossible. Get Started Today
If you are ready to recover from meth addiction, then contact Washburn House. We can help you through your meth withdrawal and get you through detox successfully. To find out more about meth addiction treatment in Worcester Massachusetts, call Washburn House at 855.298.3104. We are here to help you break the cycle of addiction.