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Jul 19, 2024 · Read on to learn about meth withdrawal, including the symptoms of meth withdrawal, the withdrawal timeline and ways to treat meth addiction.
People also ask
What is methamphetamine withdrawal?
How do I cope with meth withdrawal symptoms?
What are Meth withdrawal symptoms?
- Overview
- Comedowns, crashes, and withdrawals
- Why does it happen?
- How long does it last?
- Should you seek professional care?
- Coping tips
- The bottom line
When you stop consuming methamphetamine — whether that’s after using it for the first time or smoking it every day for a decade — you may experience uncomfortable and sometimes nearly unbearable feelings in your body and mind. These feelings, called withdrawal, can last from several days to a few weeks.
But you’re not alone in experiencing withdrawal. And there are many strategies to cope with or treat it.
What goes up must come down. But your experience after consuming meth (or any other amphetamine, for that matter) can vary quite a bit. So does the terminology.
You might hear about at least three types of experiences, depending on your pattern of use:
•comedown
•crash
•withdrawal
All three can involve the following symptoms to varying degrees:
All types of withdrawal have a similar root cause. Liam Acheson, an Australian researcher conducting a small pilot trial of lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) for methamphetamine dependence, explains that withdrawal happens when you’ve “used the dopamine and serotonin in your brain” to the point that your brain is fully depleted and needs replenishing.
Dopamine and serotonin are two chemical messengers called neurotransmitters that can affect a range of things, including your mood, sleep cycle, and digestive process. Meth causes your brain to release its stores of both these neurotransmitters, contributing to meth’s pleasurable effects.
Most meth withdrawal symptoms peak 1 or 2 days after stopping consumption and go away within 7 days. A small 2005 study found that some low-level symptoms may continue for up to 2 weeks, though.
Another small 2011 study involving 13 participants found that depression symptoms largely resolved after 1 week, while anxiety and other symptoms decreased within 2 weeks.
Older adults or people who’ve used meth for a long time may experience more severe, longer-lasting symptoms.
While symptoms tend to steadily improve in 1 or 2 weeks, sleep issues may actually worsen after improving within the first week.
The same 2011 study found that participants slept a lot in the first few days of not using meth and reported higher post-sleep refreshment. Yet the overall quality of sleep, measured by the length of time it takes you to fall asleep and the number of times you wake up, remained low even after 3 weeks had passed.
Acheson warns that the science of post-meth experiences is incomplete. You can try to anticipate the intensity of your symptoms based on your consumption patterns, but there’s no guarantee around how things will unfold.
Some people may safely tolerate meth withdrawal without medical supervision or intervention. But others may opt for, or even require, supportive care to manage their symptoms.
You’ll definitely want to consider consulting a medical professional first if you also intend to stop using other substances you’ve been mixing with meth. This is especially important for alcohol, GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate), GBL (gamma butyrolactone), or benzodiazepines, as these can be dangerous to stop using on your own.
It’s also best to get professional care if you have any ongoing mental or physical health concerns or experience symptoms of psychosis, which can include:
•auditory and visual hallucinations
•feelings of paranoia
•trouble concentrating
You can do several things to cope with symptoms of meth withdrawal:
•Sleep. Getting rest, especially if you haven’t done so for days, is essential for your overall health.
•Do mindless activities. Do easy, enjoyable things, like watching TV or going outside with a friend, to help your mind and body get better. It’s especially important to do things that make you feel good, since your brain is replenishing its supply of dopamine and serotonin.
•Eat something. Eating anything is better than eating nothing. But if you can, try to incorporate nutrient-rich foods, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, into your diet.
•Take a B-complex vitamin. Some people report that taking a daily B-complex vitamin seems to be helpful.
•Hydrate. Make sure you’re regularly drinking water or getting fluids from your diet in the form of fresh fruit, popsicles, broths, and other water-rich foods.
Meth withdrawal can be uncomfortable, but there are things you can do to make the experience more manageable. If you plan to stop using other substances, particularly alcohol, GHB/GBL, or benzodiazepines, talk with a medical professional first, as stopping these on your own can be dangerous.
If you’re concerned about your drug use, help is available. If you feel comfortable, you can bring it up with a healthcare professional. Keep in mind that patient confidentiality laws will prevent them from reporting this information to law enforcement.
You can also reach out to one of the following free and confidential resources:
•SAMHSA’s National Helpline: 800-662-HELP (4357)
•SAMHSA’s online treatment locator
•SAFE Project
- Sessi Kuwabara Blanchard
Dec 15, 2023 · Learn about what meth withdrawal is, symptoms of withdrawal, and how to get support when quitting meth and starting recovery.
Oct 14, 2022 · When a person stops taking methamphetamine, they can experience withdrawal symptoms. Learn what the symptoms are and the possible treatment options here.
Jun 14, 2024 · Withdrawal from meth can come with many harmful symptoms, and the detox period can be difficult. Learn how to safely detox from meth.
Aug 8, 2024 · Once withdrawal symptoms have eased, it is best to continue with a treatment program that provides behavioral therapies and individualized treatment, and that can monitor and address any physical issues that may emerge as the result of meth use. 2 The cognitive, physical, and emotional effects of methamphetamine use can complicate the treatment ...
Feb 26, 2020 · Clammy skin. Hyperventilation. Irregular heartbeat. Shaking. According to a 2010 study published in the journal Addiction, individuals withdrawing from meth can also experience increased or decreased appetite, poor concentration and memory, sleep problems and low energy. During detox, they often feel intense cravings for the drug.
