Meth Withdrawal Symptoms

Drug users experience meth withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking the drug. Their body begins to react as the drug leaves their body and more of the substance is not taken. Addicts who have abused meth for a substantial period of time have changed the way their body functions and when they stop taking meth their body craves the drug. Their body is so used to functioning with meth in their system that it sets off a chain reaction causing psychological and physical problems for the addict. Some addicts experience so much discomfort that the thought of going through withdrawal is too painful and they continue to use the drug just to avoid the uncomfortable feelings associated with meth withdrawal.

Meth withdrawal symptoms may begin within a few hours after the user’s last dose of the drug and can last for several days. This drug is not thought to be physically addictive but recovering addicts often experience some physical discomfort as they go through withdrawal. There are several factors that will determine the severity of the drug user’s withdrawal symptoms: how long have they been abusing meth, how regularly they abuse the drug and how much they typically take. In most cases, the drug will process through the user’s body between 24-48 hours after the last dose is taken.

Meth users note the following withdrawal symptoms:

• extended periods of sleep (although this is associated with depression, it first arises as the body tries to recover resources depleted by meth use)
• vivid dreams
• insomnia (this may be related to depression, but it can also be the result of unpleasant and vivid dreams. Some addicts find they dream about using meth and wake to intense drug cravings)
• increased appetite and weight gain (this is something like a replacement addiction - eating can be an outlet for pent up energy)
• drug cravings
• irregular heart beat
• irritability
• loss of energy
• nausea
• sweats
• exhaustion
• mental confusion
• restlessness
• anxiety
• fatigue
• jitteriness
• listlessness
• aggression
• fearfulness
• shaking or tremors
• ideas of suicide

Another issue some addicts experience due to their meth abuse is known as “meth mouth.” Because the drug is made up of a toxic combination of chemicals it causes severe damage to the drug user’s teeth and mouth. Meth use can burn and irritate the user’s mouth causing it to dry out. When this happens the natural acid in their mouth eats away at their tooth enamel causing tooth decay (especially around the gum line), cracked teeth (from grinding and clenching their jaw) and gum disease (the drug shrinks the blood vessels).

All drugs, (including meth) change the chemistry in the user’s brain. Recent scientific studies examining the effects of long-term meth use in animals shows toxic effects on the brain. Researchers in the field of addiction recovery have found the changes that take place in the addict’s brain can take up to a year to resolve. It is important for those in addiction recovery to realize that the depression and the inability to enjoy life is only a temporary condition and that it will pass in time. 

Detoxification and drug treatment are vital parts of recovering from meth addiction. Enrolling into a detox program will help manage and alleviate meth withdrawal symptoms. Once participating in a detox program the recovering person’s acute withdrawal symptoms will dissipate within a week. When a meth user is going through the withdrawal process they often alternate from wanting to sleep all of the time to not being able to sleep whatsoever. Detox programs often utilize various vitamins, talk therapy, rest, daily exercise, and healthy nutritional programs to aid in the detoxification process. Long-term withdrawal symptoms may persist for up to a year in some heavy users.

When the initial detox process is completed the next step is to continue into a long-term inpatient drug rehab program. Methamphetamine addiction is a treatable problem and people make full recoveries every day. However, because meth is very addictive some addicts feel a psychological pull to the drug even after they have completed treatment and have months of sobriety under their belt.

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