Withdrawal Timeline for Meth Addiction

Methamphetamine is a highly potent and addictive synthetic stimulant drug substance that works by affecting the central nervous system, specifically the body’s pleasure and reward systems. Many stimulants are abused in “binge and crash” patterns, and methamphetamine is no exception to this. Users normally seek to maintain their high by continuing to take methamphetamine as soon as they feel its desirable effects beginning to wear off. They will remain awake and unfed for several days during this binge period, before finally reaching a point where no matter the amount of the drug consumed, it fails to produce the effects they desire. At this point, they crash, often falling into a deep sleep for several days before waking and beginning the cycle over again.

Meth Withdrawal

While the effects of meth use can be largely hidden from the individual himself, they are often painfully obvious to those around him, and include:

• Loss of appetite
• Increased heart rate
• Increased blood pressure
• Increased body temperature
• Pupil dilation
• Difficulty falling or staying asleep
• Nausea
• Bizarre behaviors
• Violent behaviors
• Hallucinations
• Irritability
• Panic
• Psychosis
• Convulsions
• Seizures
• Permanent heart and brain blood vessel damage
• Damage to the liver, kidneys, and lungs
• Severe tooth decay
• Disorientation
• Apathy
• Depression

The obvious solution to these problems is to abstain from further meth use, but this is far easier said than done. In addition to the stages of meth use, there are stages of meth withdrawal. A body that is constantly subjected to meth use will eventually grow to depend upon this drug substance and will punish its absence with uncomfortable and often painful withdrawal symptoms, including:

• Fatigue
• Increased appetite
• Agitation
• Insomnia
• Paranoia
• Hallucinations
• Red, itchy eyes
• Incoherent speech
• Loss of motivation

Fear of experiencing these symptoms is what normally drives an individual to continue feeding their meth addiction, even when they have determined that it is harmful to their health and life. In some cases, an individual who is addicted to meth decides that they wish to recover from the use of this powerful drug, only to relapse back into meth use when they fail to receive the support and treatment they desperately need to work through and overcome their withdrawal symptoms. It is for this reason that any individual who is seeking to recover from meth addiction do so under medical supervision and with the support of trained, experienced recovery specialists who understand the withdrawal timeline for meth addiction, and how the individual can work through it as smoothly and comfortably as possible.

The withdrawal timeline for meth addiction works as follows:

• After one day: Withdrawal symptoms normally begin when the individual has failed to consume meth for roughly twenty-four hours. He will usually experience extreme fatigue and sleep more than is normal. He may also begin to feel depressed.
• Between four to ten days: Withdrawal symptoms peak during this time, causing the individual to experience strong cravings, mood swings, and difficulty concentrating. This is when they are most likely to consider a return to meth use, especially if they experience severe withdrawal symptoms like paranoia, hallucinations, and extreme anxiety.
• Between eleven to thirty days: The individual usually continues to struggle with strong cravings and feelings of depression. This is further compounded by their struggles with insomnia.
• After thirty-one days: Withdrawal symptoms begin to lift, allowing the individual to finally start feeling a bit better. That said, the individual continues to require close support, as cravings and some feelings of depression can persist.

The severity and length of an individual’s withdrawal symptoms are largely related to the amount and length of meth use they engaged in. In some rare cases, individuals can continue to experience withdrawal symptoms, including depression and severe cravings, for many months or even years after ending their relationship with methamphetamine. However, this may be more successfully resolved if the individual participates in a thorough detoxification and recovery program, where they eliminate all residual meth toxins from their body and address the many causes of their meth use, learning the life skills necessary to promote a healthy, happy, and productive future.

If someone you know is struggling with meth addiction, contact Narconon Arrowhead today so they can get the help they need to take back their life.