Methamphetamine, popularly known as crystal meth, is a highly potent man-made stimulant substance that has grown in popularity among drug addicts.
This medicine can be manufactured with fairly basic materials found in drug shops, but it is becoming available from larger overseas manufacturing sources.
Methamphetamine is a highly addictive substance that comes in the form of little bluish and whitish rocks or small bits of glass. Glass, ice, crank, shards, and a variety of other street names have been given to it. Snorting or smoking the substance is common.
Signs, Symptoms, and a Timeline for Meth Withdrawal
Signs and symptoms of meth withdrawal includes:
- Fatigue, lethargy, and excessive sleepiness (common in stimulant medicine withdrawal).
- Increased hunger, dry mouth, and jitteriness.
- Suicide thoughts, depression, apathy, hopelessness
- Strong urges to use more meth.
Paranoia, hallucinations, and delusions are also examples of psychotic symptoms of meth withdrawal.
A large proportion of people report experiencing depression, which appears to diminish in a linear fashion throughout the duration of the withdrawal phase. These depression symptoms can be severe, and they’re often linked to suicidal ideation. Furthermore, studies have shown that a significant majority of people who relapse do so due to feelings of melancholy, apathy, hopelessness, and other similar emotions.
During the withdrawal process, extreme desires for methamphetamine are common, but they usually subside quickly. Cravings for methamphetamine appear to be linked to the level of depression experienced by the individual during withdrawal. Furthermore, research shows that the more powerful and frequent the cravings a person in withdrawal from methamphetamine has, the more likely they are to relapse during withdrawal.
Severe depression and the risk of developing psychosis, according to a major meta-analysis, are the most serious symptoms linked with methamphetamine withdrawal. Although there may be health hazards connected with withdrawal from methamphetamine in some situations, it did not demonstrate any significant overall risk for the development of additional health issues. Older people and people with pre-existing medical issues may be especially vulnerable to these dangers.
Cognitive abnormalities have been identified in methamphetamine users in the areas of mental processing speed, memory, attention, and planning. The repercussions of crystal meth consumption on the brain in the long run are still being studied.
The effects of withdrawal in chronic methamphetamine abusers have been observed in a number of studies. Despite a lot of disinformation on the internet, it appears that the withdrawal timeframe for methamphetamine is very constant and predictable for physicians and those in recovery.
Meth Withdrawal Timeline
The majority of meth withdrawal symptoms are psychological and emotional, with a few physical side effects. Unlike withdrawal from alcohol or narcotic medications, the withdrawal from methamphetamine does not appear to be as harsh.
Methamphetamine is a fast-acting medication with a short half-life (about 10 hours). According to studies, the withdrawal schedule for crystal meth addicts appears to be quite consistent:
- It starts within the first 24 hours of abstinence, peaks in the first 7-10 days after the substance is stopped, and then gradually fades.
- It lasts between 14 and 20 days on average, with 14 days being the most common length of time observed
At Taylor Recovery Center, You Will Find The Best Help.
If you or someone you care about is addicted to meth, contact Taylor Recovery Center as soon as possible for assistance.