My Experience and Recovery from Meth Addiction PMC

Frequent mood swings and sudden aches, pains, and tremors are common. Relapse is common among people recovering from drug addiction. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 40 to 60 percent of those in addiction recovery experience a sober house relapse after completing rehab. There are currently no medications specifically designed to ease the Methamphetamine withdrawal process. However, there are a few that can be prescribed to help relieve the severity of some withdrawal symptoms.

However, joining rehab shows that you have a commitment to healing, which can be enough to bring people back into your life. One of the greatest resources in rehab is providing people with an entire community who can help (and who are going through the same process). Most people who suffer from drug addiction suffer alone, but rehab provides a space where people can heal together. The stimulant can also bring about a severe crash when the inebriating effects wear off, causing the user to sleep for days afterward. Before I entered treatment, I was on methamphetamines for 2 years. I came into treatment very skinny and very different than I was before I started using methamphetamines.

What to Expect During Methamphetamine Withdrawal and Early Recovery

Second, I got on and maintained non-addictive mood stabilization medications for a year. Ethos Structured Sober Living is an all male community in recovery located in the heart of West Los Angeles. Our primary purpose is to foster long-term sobriety through the cultivation of accountability, camaraderie, & character development. Meth is extremely acidic, so the longer people use it, the more likely they are to experience gum disease and tooth decay. Known as “meth mouth,” teeth can turn black, become stained, rot, break, or fall out. Meth addicts can also experience jaw pain, headaches, a clenched jaw, and have a difficult time eating food.

  • Additionally, The Recovery Village asked participants about their meth withdrawal timeline.
  • These include dopamine and serotonin, which play a role in the reward and motivation centers of your brain.
  • During the evaluation, it’s imperative for the health professional to know if the individual is experiencing any co-occurring disorders as it influences crystal meth detox.

As mentioned, detoxing from amphetamines can pose serious health risks, especially for your mental health. By detoxing in a rehab facility, you will be able to recover with every available resource and significantly lower the risk of relapsing during the withdrawal period. Curiosity, boredom, peer pressure, weight loss, to fill a void—the reasons vary for why people try meth for the first time. The common thread of advice among many methamphetamine addicts, though, is don’t try it at all. It’s not worth the risk of getting hooked after just one use. The body can quickly become dependent on the chemicals, leading to methamphetamine addiction.

Medications Used To Assist Meth Detox

When someone takes meth, they experience an intense high and a “rush” of good feelings. Using meth can create a sense of pleasure, euphoria, happiness, self-confidence and energy. Addiction is a complex and debilitating disorder not restricted to any location, age, gender, etc. This is a better position than when drug abuse and addiction were seen as a moral folly than a health disorder. At this stage, recovering individuals need to work to develop an understanding of the thought processes and feelings which previously led them to use. However, recreational use of meth is illegal because it is a highly addictive drug that impairs brain function and changes the person’s thoughts and actions.

how long to recover from meth

Bupropion, an Antidepressant used to help people quit smoking tobacco, has been proven to be very helpful in reducing drug cravings. Dehydration often accompanies the withdrawal process, which can be dangerous. For this reason, medically supervised detox can be a crucial part of a care plan. Detox centers and rehabilitation facilities provide around-the-clock medical supervision to those undergoing detoxification. Nurses and doctors on staff will ensure you are adequately hydrated and have the proper nutrients, allowing you to detox healthily and safely.

What Types of Meth Treatments Are Available?

When recovering from meth addiction, it’s very important to have peers who understand what you’re going through and on whom you can lean. Our group therapies and activities provide much-needed emotional support, along with valuable tools, to guide you through the toughest days of your recovery journey. When most people think of addiction treatment, they think of detoxification and rehabilitation programs that help people through the withdrawal process and teach them how to live drug-free. But there are a variety of alternative approaches that can also be effective in treating addiction. Addiction is a serious disease that can have lasting effects on both the mind and body.

Recovering from meth addiction is challenging emotionally, physically, and mentally. Let Footprints to Recovery teach you the skills to build lasting sobriety and well-being. There are three stages of withdrawal from meth that individuals should know about. Here are the three main stages of the methamphetamine withdrawal timeline. These signs and meth detox symptoms may occur anywhere from the third to the tenth day after intake.