5 Important Things to Know About Meth / Methamphetamine Detox + Tips

Table of Contents

So you’re ready to detox from meth.

Good.

This is a hard choice.

It’s a choice that many users will not make. They will keep using and there’s a good chance they will die or go crazy because of it.

But this is not your path.

It’s time to get your life back.

Clearly, you have a desire to put the past behind you and regain your life. Let’s make it stronger.

Because if you’ve been a serious meth user you’ll have to be prepared for some serious withdrawal symptoms.

In this post, we won’t sugar coat anything. Yes, these withdrawals will be hard. Your mind will be filled with all kinds of thoughts and plans that will do their best to convince you to give in to cravings.

It’s not easy. No one is superhuman and no methamphetamine user who’s quit has done it easily. Methamphetamine has twisted your brain’s reward response system and your brain’s receptors need to rebalance themselves.

But there are ways for you to make detoxing and quitting less challenging.

In this post, we will help you discover some of the best ways to help you quit and allow your brain to heal.

1.) Get to Know The Phases of Meth Withdrawal and Detox

There are two recognized phases of meth withdrawal/detox:

Phase #1: Acute Withdrawal

  • This is the first 10 days – two week period after you’ve stopped using. This is when you will have the most severe, uncomfortable and disorienting symptoms of detox.
  • Expect to feel very irritable and experience waves of intense cravings for drugs, depression, insomnia / abnormal sleep patterns, fear, anxiety, chronic tiredness, become easily distracted, physically achy and there’s also a?likelihood of slight to severe hallucinations.
  • You may also feel physically revolting. You may experience nausea, vomiting, and cold or flu-like symptoms. These typically will last for the first few days of detox.
  • This detox period is especially challenging and it is recommended that you are supervised by a trained medical practitioner at a?detox center. A center for drug detoxification may give you medications and therapy to help you deal with the pain associated with detoxing. They’ll make sure that you feel some relief while you are going through such a tough period of time.
  • Detox specialists also commonly administer nutrients and vitamins at this time to make sure you are taken care of nutritionally.

Phase #2: Protracted Phase Withdrawal

  • This period, which starts after the acute phase, can last from a few weeks to many months. It is typically less intense but can at times be equally uncomfortable and risky as?the acute phase.
  • While you have passed the detox phase you are likely to still experience some strong symptoms of recovery. You will still feel drug cravings at times. They might be more subtle, but be careful. Even when subtle they can convince you to relapse if you’ve left your guard down.
  • There will still likely be disturbances in your sleeping behavior. Your memory and thinking might still be lagging behind and hard to control at times. You may also experience periods of subtle to severe depression. This is to be expected, as your brain is still balancing itself.
  • Physical health problems, if they haven’t already manifested, can start to show up. Dental problems and emaciation/weight loss are common problems associated with methamphetamine use. Headaches and anxiety are likely to come and go.
  • A mental disorder called Amphetamine Psychosis is known to persist through detox for some time. It is very hard to treat and in most cases, one must just wait it out. Symptoms can be auditory and visual hallucinations and schizophrenia-like symptoms.
  • Due to this long withdrawal period, your detox from meth might take a long time. Consider being monitored by a professional for a sufficient amount of time until you feel ready to move on on your own. Medical professionals might recommend you take mood stabilizing drugs to help you through your detox. This is up to you.

2.) How Dangerous is Meth Detox? Should I be Worried about my Physical and Mental Safety?

Some drugs are too dangerous to give up cold turkey.

For example, benzodiazepines (benzos) and alcohol. Those who are heavy users need to be cautious when quitting. If they don’t taper off the drug properly there are some serious health risks.

Although meth withdrawal by itself is not life-threatening, there are still potential dangers around hurting yourself or hurting those around you when you decide to quit and detox.

You can feel so out of sorts when you quit that you lose perspective. You can feel like your losing the will to live. You can feel aggression towards the rest of the world and want to hurt other people.

  • If you are feeling so low that suicidal thoughts are taking over your mind, it’s a good idea to get psychological help from a professional.
  • If you are feeling like you are experiencing psychosis and are worried yourself becoming a threat to those around you, it’s a good idea to get psychological help from a professional.
  • If you are feeling like your pain is too much and you are leaning towards going back to using again, don’t. Get help.

3.) Can I Detox on my Own? Or Do I Need to Go to a Center?

Overall, it’s a bad idea to try to detox on your own.

Sadly, most people who try to get clean from meth don’t find success while they do it on their own. The withdrawal symptoms are just so bad and enough to warrant getting help.

Yes, it will cost money.

But if you fail on your own and end up continuing to use, well, that’s your life your sacrificing.

You are worth more than that.

The best way to go about this is to go to get help. Professional help from a licensed detox facility that will provide constant medical supervision from specialists who are trained to help those who are addicted to meth.

You may be thinking that if you fail this time you can go to a detox center on your next attempt.

But see, the thing is, methamphetamine is so damaging and addictive that there may not be the next time. This drug has swallowed so many lives. It changes your behavior so much when abused.

Who knows what could happen if you keep using.

4.) What are the Detox Options that I Should Look Into?

There a few ways to go about this.

First of all, as we’ve just discussed, you could try to detox on your own. Obviously, we don’t recommend this.

If you do decide to try self-treatment then make sure you’ve removed yourself from as many triggers and temptations as possible. Don’t keep your pipe around. Don’t keep lighters around. And of course, don’t keep meth around!

It’s easy to rationalize keeping risky stuff around. Your brain likes to trick you into that. Just don’t though.

Secondly, keep social. Contact friends and family members who are clean and will support you. Don’t hide out completely. When left alone your mind will preoccupy itself with using. Try to fill your awake hours with social support. You shouldn’t need to find social settings for too much of the day since you will likely be sleeping over 12 hours a day for the first week or so.

The next option is one that we do recommend. It’s a treatment option that’s as close to doing it on your own as possible. But you’ll still be supported by professionals.

Finding an outpatient detox program.

An outpatient program will provide you with support and assistance while you are going through those difficult and uncomfortable detox phases. Even though you won’t be living in a center 24/7, the support you are provided will give you a far better chance at successfully quitting methamphetamine.

An addiction treatment provider should be able to assess what your level of need is when it comes to withdrawal support.

Depending on your individual case, they might recommend that you do an outpatient protocol.

You’ll be most likely to find success with an in home-outpatient detox if:

  • Your doctor doesn’t anticipate severe withdrawals.
  • You don’t have severe medical conditions.
  • You don’t have psychiatric problems, either methamphetamine-related or not.
  • You are not prone to severe bouts of depression.
  • You have sober friends and social support that are willing and able to support you.
  • Your home or place of recovery is secure and drug-free.
  • You don’t have a history of failing at-home detox attempts.
  • You are clearly motivated enough to succeed in quitting meth.

If you or your doctor decide that you need more support than this, then finding an inpatient option would best for you. Below are some criteria that will determine whether the inpatient treatment option is the best for you. Both you and your doctor should consider the following before making a decision.

You’ll be most likely to find success at an inpatient residential detox center if:

  • You have additional drug dependencies like marijuana or alcohol
  • You don’t have a home environment that would help you to stay clean.
  • Your mental state isn’t balanced enough and you are experiencing significant psychological?conditions.
  • You currently have or maintain a history of depression and/or psychosis.
  • You have additional conditions that require monitoring during the potentially tumultuous period of your detox.
  • Your dependence on methamphetamine is so strong that you are expected to experience very intense or extreme withdrawal symptoms.
  • In the past, you have tried failed to detox on your own or with the support of an outpatient program.

An inpatient program is especially suited to help you to avoid relapse during the initial detox period and during the long, protracted withdrawal.

Your thinking will get clearer as the week’s progress, but the cravings will still come on strong now and then. Even the cravings will diminish over time but there will likely always be that thought in the back of your mind that wants to compel you to get some pleasure from indulging.

Your inpatient program will help you recognize your mental patterns. When you combine fuzzy headedness with cravings and reduced concentration/impulse control you are at risk for relapse. The more you can see this and work with it the better off you will be when it comes time to be completely on your own.

You’ve done tremendously well when you’ve made it through the first weeks and months of detox and recovery.

But the truth is it’s a long fought war with addiction that you have to deal with.

A treatment center will help you to:

  • Find ways to limit and work with your cravings
  • Find ways to keep your willpower strong and in control
  • Find ways to manage emotions like anger, frustration, and sadness without drugs
  • Involve your friends and family with family therapy and educate and inform them on recovery

5.) What Medications and Nutritional Supplements can help ease Detox and Recovery from Methamphetamine?

Officially there are no FDA approved drugs available for meth addiction recovery.

But in many cases, treatment centers are able to utilize medication to help relieve uncomfortable symptoms during meth detox.

Below are some commonly administered meds for those in treatment and recovery:

  • Valium – used to calm down severe anxiety, mostly used during the first phase of withdrawal.
  • Antipsychotics like Risperidone or Quetiapine ?- used to treat episodes of psychosis.
  • Antidepressants like Cymbalta or Pristiq – used to help ease depressive episodes which are common in early periods of detox and recovery
  • Pain meds like acetaminophen – used to relieve achy pains. Only over the counter brands are used.

In addition to pharmaceuticals and prescription medications, there are many herbs, vitamins and nutritional supplements that can help a recovering meth addict.

The body of an addict is often deficient in helpful substances like vitamins and minerals. Getting proper nutrition to the body and the brain can help ease the body back into neurochemical balance much faster than having?no?nutritional support.

Prolonged meth use will damage the brain and it’s signaling systems. Supplementing brain-boosting herbs and amino acids will speed up healing and rebalance brain chemistry.

Below is a short list of neurotransmitters which are quickly damaged by meth use:

  • Epinephrine
  • Norepinephrine
  • GABA
  • Serotonin
  • Dopamine

Supplementation of certain amino acids can help normalize and restore these important chemicals. When they’re levels are returned to healthy amounts then cravings will diminish and your mental capacities will return. Your frequency of depression will diminish and you’ll develop more energy to bring with you throughout the day.

Below are some of the most recommended amino acids for recovering meth addicts:

Additional supplements that benefit recovery include:

RETURN TO TOP?

25 thoughts on “5 Important Things to Know About Meth / Methamphetamine Detox + Tips”

  1. I can say I can’t afford a detox/rehabilitation and the word “afford ” doesn’t seem to register in others minds the true definition. When I say I can’t afford it means exactly that. I can’t afford, I do not have any means to go get help. Therefore I’m left with quitting on my own and I have tried many times. I’m not at liberty to crash for days, be moody, be physically ill, have body aches. Why because my significant other can’t understand and gets cranky and says it can’t be that bad and I’m using it as an excuse to not do anything and get him to as he says be my puppet. He is all for rehab and hates my addiction but again I can’t afford it. It’s sad to know this addiction is killing me and nothing I can do but let it.

    1. Christi

      Fyi: meth is not physically addicting therefore there is no “detox” necessary. Help to quit is definitely needed. But there are no “withdrawal” symptoms. Your BODY never gets dependant on meth. So it never withdraws from meth. Your BODY does get damaged by meth and it needs to heal. But it’s not detox. I guess they have changed the definitions of detox. It is funny years ago detox centers would not allow anyone in unless they were on a drug that required detoxification. Its not dangerous to quit meth. You sleep. You get cranky, mean and depressed. And it is hard to quit if you have kids or work you don’t have luxury of being able to sleep. The alternative? Prison works pretty good at so boring people up

        1. She really is ignorant… The y thought that many years ago but now they know that meth is one off-the-wall hardest drugs to quit… It damages your mind your body …your mental state can can be permanently damaged obviously you are not a long term meth addict because you have no clue what the hell your talking about. I have been addicted from the times did my first shot at age 14 .i was in love i> of my life has revolved around meth. I have detoxed many times in 36 yrs and I get physically I’ll nauseas run fever sweats chills I get angry Ill just sleep and eat for 3.4 weaks …cravings you wouldn’t believe. For meth .nightmares from hell dangerously depressed. My mind will constantly trying to justify why it would be OK to just go do one bump…. Or to go see my good friends that just happen to deal just to say high. When I really know that I’m gonna do it…… There’s so much more I could say… Lady YOY are clueless of the POWER THIS DRUG HAS OR CAN HAVE WHEN ABUSED.

      1. Justin Hunt

        I can tell you that for myself I have always had withdrawal when quitting meth. Even after a couple weeks. I have to say that there are many different forms of meth and their withdrawals vary. The worst for me is the p?nic attacks and feeling very cold. Also night sweats/hallucinations and body aches. If a person cannot become physically dependent then why would I shake or have the shits while waiting for a fix even though I have been clean for a month. Also wouldn’t you say suicide is dangerous but because that is very common during or after detox.

      2. @christi ….Are you obtuse??!

        Have you ever withdrew from meth?

      3. I’d argue there are withdrawal symptoms. The drug affects and alters the neurochemistry of the brain. It surges dopamine, for example, and the brain reacts by reducing the number of dopamine receptors. In the absence of the drug, the brain takes time to return to an equilibrium in terms of neurotransmitter levels. This makes for serious neurochemical withdrawal symptoms.

      4. Kaydeez

        ******PLEASE DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS CHICK! SHE IS SO WRONG!!********

        Dear God. Christi, I can only pray that you aren’t a medical professional in this field based on your “extensive knowledge” on the subject…wow. Thank you for a paragraph full of B.S. We are all dumber now, because of you. Way to go.

        Meth DOES have withdrawal symptoms, both physical and emotional. Several factors play into the severity of these withdrawals, so symptoms range in severity from person to person. But there are definitely withdrawals!

        Yes, the user becomes dependent on the drug and needs to use in order to function just to get the basic shit done in life (showering for example). We need that dopamine rush to get us back to a level or normalcy. The vicious cycle of addiction right here. When we are detoxing/withdrawing, extreme fatigue and anhedonia take over, turning us into emotionless, miserable, self loathing zombies.

        It can be VERY dangerous quitting meth! The psychological symptoms of withdrawaling are so scary. If you had any issue with depression/anxiety/phobia/mood disorder etc prior to this, go ahead and triple those issues during the detox phase. It’s awful.

        I could go on and on but I’ll stop there.

        Stay strong to all other addicts seeking recovery. It is rough as hell at first but you got this.
        Much love-

  2. Actually Christi method is physically addicting. More so for IV users. I’ve quit from just smoking it and the physical repercussions aren’t near as bad sure you’ll just be tired for a month until your chemicals restore themselves to their natural balance. With IV use I’ve found the withdraw to be similar to heroin IV use withdraw; It isn’t quite that violent its quite a bit more mild but you also experience worse things like a temporary psychosis that can last up to 3 weeks and is untreatable. Empathizing instead of criticizing the recovering addict can be a vital part of your recovery. Try not to separate your issues they aren’t very different theyve got more in common than they have differences

  3. HopeGurl

    First. The psychosis part, which happened to me after coming off of a five year habit, is treatable. I was a smoker and eater of meth and also took adderall regularly when I had to go to the office. I once shot it. When I came off it back in the fall (October 2015). I had delusions and paranoia…hullicantions like no other…I was clean two months and they persisted so I went to a hospital and they kept me for two weeks and treated me as they would a schizophrenic with respiridone. I took the medication for 3mts and then went to serve a 6 month sentence in prison where they took me off the meds. I was relatively fine but slept almost the entire time. I got out a month ago and am still totally lethargic and have no energy. I’m going to try the amino acids. 20 years ago I was a heroin addict and never experienced anything like this. The depression and listlessness. I’m hoping the amino acids will help. I was doing so much dope I don’t think my body is releasing much dopamine on its own yet. To say meth is not physically addictive is a total farce. Yes heroin is a fiercer withdrawal at first but dope actually changes your entire body chemistry unlike other naturally derived drug forms. It is made entirely of man made toxic substances unlike other drugs which are all plant based derivatives. It literally restructure your the chemical balance of your entire nervous system and takes quite a while to heal from apparently as I am living proof. I’ve been off it 10mts and still crave it fiercely simply because of my lack of energy and motivation. By the grace of God I desire sobriety more than my tweaker life style which ultimately robbed me of everything. I hope you all succeed in your quest for sobriety. As far as I’m concerned meth is the biggest lie out there. Although the subculture we create with dope seems safe and cozy for a while it ultimately turns around and bites us in the butt and leaves alone and unfulfilled. Blessings to you guys!

  4. You can afford to get high. Be willing to do what it takes to get well. Family members cannot understand why a person would inject themselves. But ask him for support and that its going to take time. Don’t buy it all at once. I bought him Vitamin B 12 and B6 Vitamin C. Next I will get him mucuna pruriens and find tyrosine and there’s one other one. The damage done to the brain is significant neurotransmitters. I’ve helped him find a counsellor and take him to NA meetings counsellor. These are ways I can be of support to him. Do not talk to him about cravings because that would just piss me off and I’d kick him out. Talk about recovery and do whatever it takes to stay away from getting high. Prayer works.

    1. Trace how much B12 and C did you have him take daily and for how long? I couldnt find Mucuna and tyrosine

  5. The all 5 is the exact knowledge which my trying to find from past many years:

    1.) Get to Know The Phases of Meth Withdrawal and Detox
    2.) How Dangerous is Meth Detox? Should I be Worried about my Physical Wellbeing?
    3.) Can I Detox on my Own? Or Do I Need to Go to a Center?
    4.) What are the Detox Options that I Should Look Into?
    5.) What Medications and Nutritional Supplements can help ease Detox and Recovery from Methamphetamine?

    I just wants to thanks “discoveryrehab.com” that’s the exact which we going to have during that situation please keep it updating its really going to help the many people who’s suffering.

  6. God is the best help and guide from meth and research and learn about your mind personally

  7. I had been clean for a long time. But I was depressed. I made the mistake of going to someone’s house who was using. I smoke and unbelievable amount. 15 hits? Probably more. I think because I was depressed I didn’t feel the pleasure. I ended up going into the ER twice in the same day! That was over a month ago. I’m thin and smoking that much literally are my muscle and body tissue. Even my back and spine hurts now. It ate the bone and cartilage! I’m unbelievably depressed and NUMB. No pleasure and I look horrible. I’ve actually asked Christ to take me because I’m not useful when I’m brain dead. My doctor gave me seroquel XR 150 mg to help me sleep and deal with extreme depression and anxiety. Please pray that my feelings and joy will return. I’m sure Ive horribley damnaged receptors/neurons. I know my muscle will not return. But if I could have feeling/happiness/joy…..

    1. Justin Hunt

      Hey Mike, I can’t tell you that I have felt the same as you, but I can tell you that I was 130lbs and had a seizure from malnutrition. The pain will get better. I was an h addict. Then on methadone, then Subutex and finally dope. This was 10yrs of heavy use and pain/anxiety were the feelings I wanted to escape. It might take months before you care about yourself. I fought suicide for 4 months before I noticed any change. I know what it’s like to not enjoy anything and what it feels like when people constantly ask you what’s wrong because you don’t care or have emotion. At some point though, for me, almost overnight I felt a little joy. It didn’t last too long but it comes back. Hang in there buddy and I’m proud of ya.

    2. Keep pushing ayear to the date expect a dramatic change take your amino acids and 5-htp. A MUST…. Do brain teaser activities, evenif you dont feel it do things that you knew you enjoyed. Act as if and it will come, hold out for that miracle, as addicts we are NOT patient by nature, we haveno choice now one thing for certain if you pick up that 10 months is going to start all over again if you decide to quit again so this don’t do it

  8. Praying for everyone this addition has effected , I am not a user but I am in love with one and it is hard to watch them lose their self and their feelings I am always praying for the Grace of God to take the want to from him And I have Faith it will happen so praying for you all everyday God Bless be strong because someone loves you

  9. I am trying so hard to get away I’ve been doing it every day all day all night for the last year-and-a-half as soon as I stop for two days my nerves get the best of me and I start smoking again I’m lost if I were to quit now I could lose my job lose my family I can’t afford to get sick I have the Lord for his house everyday I don’t know what to do those of you struggling I keep you in my prayers and Hope we all can get away from this love you my brothers and sisters in the struggle

  10. Christi…. you are obviously an ignorant and close-minded person because everybody is different and this drug does affect people just like the others were speaking about. You must be a short-term user because I’m a long-term user and this shit is no joke.. just like one of the other people log says you are clueless because you really are people are just sitting here making up shit for the hell of it. they are truly affected by what this truck is done to them over time Annie and each person a little bit differently but very similarly in other words you need to open your mind up and listen to people versus think they’re bullshiting you so leave people alone that have stuff to say like this because you don’t know what the fuck you’re saying I hope all of you and others are doing well

  11. I agree. Christi doesn’t have a f*ckin clue. She’s got to be more f*cked up than all of us put together. Lol. I am going through it right now and I’m only on Day one! But I’ve been dealing with the addiction for 14 years. I had six years clean at one time. I had worked so hard and so long to feel like myself again. But it only took a minute to lose it all again. Addiction is a Bitch. Only on day one and I already know these next days are fixing to get rough. Coming off meth makes you feel so bad and most people are going to choose to continue to use rather than feel this sickness and the only way we stop is death or jail. For example… this is my one chance to stop because I’m being told to go to outpatient rehab to get my distribution charge dropped. My prayers to everyone struggling like I am. I hope we can overcome it. Thought I did once but its a never ending battle. Never let your guard down. Please keep me in your prayers

  12. Mistyrious

    Christi did you even read the effing article? Obviously you’ve never been addicted to meth and just wanted to put your two cents in with your judgemental, condescending comments based on your opinion only and not fact! Keep your judgement and your mouth shut with things you have no personal experience with.

  13. brandie

    i wrote a flippin novel for yall about something i needed some feedback on and then was filling in the name and email and such and i typed my name and hit enter instead pf tab or usng the mouse to go to the email field and it submittedl my reply but didnt go thru because i didnt have email and such typed in yet so it said to go back and fix it so i clicked the back thingy on the error page to enter my emaiil in and it went back here but the last 30 minutes of typing that i had in the comment box was gone and now i think im gonna cry. i cant retype all that. but when i finally fall asleep today and wake up tpmorrow i will be detoxing myself from heavy meth use and doing so at home without professional help. please send up a prayer or two for me to help it not suck too bad and for me to just stay sober once i am sober im pretty sure i gotj this but a bit of prayer can only help so i thank you and blessings to you and yours.
    wish me luck.

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