Signs & Symptoms of Meth Addiction

Methamphetamine, like cocaine, is an addictive stimulant that affects the nervous system. Similar to other stimulants, it causes feelings of euphoria and wakefulness, increased respiration, irregular heartbeat, and hyperthermia, which is a dangerously high body temperature. Prevalence of methamphetamine use has fluctuated throughout the United States, but it is still an issue that is hurting families, communities, and the individuals suffering from addiction. A markedly negative effect that methamphetamine can have on a user is potentially drastic changes in appearance. This can include weight loss, tooth decay, and sores on the skin. However, signs of methamphetamine use are not always so visible. Other signs of methamphetamine use include:

• Hyperactivity
• Sudden and rapid movements
• Paranoia
• Dilated pupils
• Loss of appetite
• Irritability and moodiness
• Burns on the lips and fingers
• Erratic sleeping patterns and behavior
• Sudden outbursts

Meth Withdrawal: What to Expect

If you have seen a loved one struggle with these symptoms, or you yourself are dealing with a meth addiction, then you probably know how painful the withdrawal process can be. In fact, the crash that comes with discontinuing use is one of the reasons users find themselves trapped in addiction. Symptoms of meth withdrawal include:

• Anxiety
• Fatigue
• Depression
• Psychosis
• Difficulty concentrating
• Intense drug cravings
• Disorientation

Withdrawal effects are experienced by 87% of long-term users. Oftentimes, users want to quit but feel powerless to the unpleasant symptoms of withdrawal. That is why seeking treatment during the detox period is so crucial.

Meth Withdrawal Timeline

The three main phases of methamphetamine withdrawal are the crash, cravings, and then recovery. While this process may be slow and difficult, it is one of the most important hurdles to overcome in an addicted person’s journey to sobriety. Meth withdrawal symptoms bein roughly 24 hours after the last dose and can potentially have lingering effects for several months. Everyone’s experience with withdrawal will be different, with the intensity and duration varying based on the severity of the addiction.

• Phase 1 (3 to 10 days): This is the most intense phase, involving feelings of exhaustion, anxiety, panic, paranoia, hallucinations, or suicidal thoughts. This period often involves a sharp decline in energy and cognitive function.
• Phase 2 (Up to 10 weeks): Once the initial crash is overcome, strong meth cravings begin to set in. This is often accompanied by feelings of hopelessness, difficulty concentrating, aches and pains, and insomnia.
• Phase 3 (Up to 30 weeks): Cravings begin to fade and become more infrequent and less intense, forming the ideal opportunity for traditional addiction treatment to begin.

A Safe, Effective Methamphetamine Detox Program in Georgia

At Mount Sinai Wellness Center, our medically assisted detox program helps our patients resist the temptation to use and find tools that will carry them through their journey. We provide our patients with the medical care, medications, and emotional support they need to safely detox. Benefits of Entering Our Treatment Program for a Methamphetamine Detox:

• It can be a powerful first step on the road to a successful addiction treatment.

When our patients go through our detox program, they rid their body of harmful toxins and are able to focus on their healing. It is a great way for the patient to adjust their mindset and prepare to make heathy lifestyle changes.

• A medically assisted detox will provide some relief from the painful symptoms that come with withdrawal.

Our dependable specialists will monitor the development of symptoms and provide guidance and relief when they become painful. This will look a bit different for every patient’s condition, but we will tailor our care, medications, and emotional support as needed.

• Unsupervised meth withdrawal can be dangerous and potentially life-threatening.

Not only is withdrawal uncomfortable, but there are risks that come along with suddenly stopping methamphetamine use, and psychotic episodes can even occur. An unmedically supervised detox can result in the user harming themselves or others due to its unpredictable nature. Recovering from an addiction is difficult enough – there is no reason to add these unnecessary risks.

• The patients will have a better understanding of their condition and how to navigate future challenges that come with it.

Our addiction specialists will review the background and medical challenges of each patient going through detox. As our team gains a better understanding of the patients’ medical history, the patient will as well. This will help them look at their addiction for what it is: a disease that does not warrant any judgment, but that needs to be treated with care.

• We create a transitional plan to get our patients on the road to a healthier life.

A medically assisted detox is only the beginning when it comes to recovering from methamphetamine addiction. We understand that this process can be intimidating, but we are here to make it as comfortable as possible and to ensure that our patients have the support they need to continue on a path of success.