From Struggles to Symptoms: This Is Meth Detox in a Nutshell

Meth detox is not an experience that anyone could call easy. But as difficult as the struggle may be, the benefits from overcoming addiction outweigh the negative side effects a person will experience during the detox process.

The process may not be the same for everyone, but here’s the general experience that many people go through when they decide to go clean from meth addiction.

What are the Symptoms of Meth Abuse?

Although the symptoms can vary between person to person, depending both on the severity of the addiction as well as long the person has been using meth, the most common signs and symptoms while in a drug & alcohol rehab facility include:

• muscle spasms
• skin problems (acne, track marks, sores)
• erratic sleep patterns
• tooth decay
• weight loss
• memory loss
• hallucinations
• delusions
• paranoia

Because of the way meth works within the body, it can result in co-existing disorders that also requirement treatment, such as schizophrenia, ADHD, and bipolar disorders, just to name a few.

What Are The Symptoms of Meth Detox?

The problem with meth is that the person cannot be weaned off of it; they have to go cold turkey in order to purge it completely from their system. For this reason, the symptoms of meth detox also look exactly like withdrawal symptoms, essentially because they are the same.

The detox symptoms all start at once and start to taper off over time. The first onset of these symptoms occur within 24 hours since the person’s last dose of meth. Meth detox takes a period of five weeks.

• Within the first week, a recovering addict will experience anxiety, depression, cravings, extreme fatigue, psychosis and cravings for carbs.
• By week two, the fatigue starts to taper off and energy levels start to return to normal; symptoms of psychosis also start to fade.
• In week three, the carb cravings and depression start to decrease as well.
• From weeks four to five, the meth cravings and anxiety will continue until prolonged detox is maintained. Exercise should be taken during this period because once you feel better, it can be easy to fall back into old habits again.

What Steps Can be Taken To Provide Relief?

The process is difficult, but there are some things a recovering addict can do to help alleviate the detox symptoms. These include:

• distracting yourself with hobbies and activities you once enjoyed
• exercising
• avoiding situations or people that will trigger your cravings
• focusing on a healthy diet to help regain lost weight

It also helps to have supportive friends and family to help you through the process too so that they can be your backbone until you’re able to stand on your own two feet again.

Undergoing detox in a facility provides a safe environment with medical supervision to ensure that you’re on the right path to recovery. Taking the first step can be the most difficult one, but once you make it, you’re heading in the right direction to getting better.