Meth is highly addictive and easily destroys the lives of the people who use it by ruining family ties, draining bank accounts, and causing health problems. Trying to quit taking the drug, however, is not easy. As someone continues to use meth, their body comes to rely on the feelings and chemicals it produces. Cutting these effects off can leave their body in a state of shock called withdrawals. Trying to detox without help from a meth addiction treatment center can be uncomfortable and dangerous.
If you are ready to take the first step to sobriety, Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston can help you. Our team knows how important it is to find a safe, stable environment to remove distractions and focus on your recovery. Call 866.516.8356 today to develop a treatment plan with a recovery specialist.
What Is Meth?
Methamphetamine is a highly addictive substance that is primarily made and distributed illegally. Using meth just once can lead to an addiction. Meth acts as a stimulant to energize the body and produce euphoric feelings. People who use meth snort, smoke, or inject it into their bodies to feel the effects of the drug that can last for several hours.
Meth users often feel a false sense of confidence, power, and invincibility. The drug leads to poor decision-making and can cause people to take risks they would never consider while sober. Over time, meth use changes the brain chemistry and produces feelings of paranoia, anxiety, and aggression.
Effects of Meth on Dopamine Levels
Meth causes dopamine, a feel-good chemical in the brain, to be released in large amounts. The user feels an intense rush or high, followed by feelings of pleasure and euphoria. Usually, the body regulates dopamine levels. However, meth prevents dopamine from being recycled, causing excessively high dopamine levels to build up between nerve cells.
The extended dopamine release in the brain changes how the user feels pleasure. The user no longer experiences the same level of satisfaction from activities that previously produced dopamine releases, such as eating, sex, or spending time with friends and family. The only way to experience the intense high again is to keep using meth.
After quitting meth, the brain may continue struggling to produce enough dopamine naturally. When the brain cannot make enough dopamine and the body can no longer rely on meth, periods of intense depression, suicidal thoughts, and lack of motivation can follow. This dopamine crash often makes people going through withdrawal relapse in an attempt to feel better.
How Long Does Meth Detox Take?
When you stop taking meth, you will go through three main stages of a meth withdrawal timeline, including:
Stage One: Crashing
Crashing means that you have gone from an extreme high to an extreme low. You may experience fatigue, stomach problems, hallucinations, muscle spasms, headaches, and irritability.
This stage can last for several days or weeks. Most users experience withdrawal symptoms for 10 to 20 days. If you get professional help, a treatment specialist will monitor your symptoms and even provide medication to help with withdrawals.
Stage Two: Cravings
Eventually, your body will clean itself out. All traces of meth will disappear from your system. However, you will still experience cravings that could last for several months. With the proper treatment and support from your therapist, family, and a support group, you can manage the cravings and overcome your urges.
Stage Three: Rehabilitation
Regardless of how severe your addiction is, recovery is possible. Much of it depends on your desire to quit. Once you get through the detox period, you have access to a wide range of treatment plans that include:
- Inpatient or outpatient treatment
- Treatment for mental health disorders
- Individual therapy program, family therapy program, and group therapy program
- Evidence-based treatment
- Holistic treatment approach
- Men’s and women’s treatment centers
Once you take the first step and enter a detox program, a therapist can meet with you to develop a treatment plan. You will discover lots of options for treatment that are suited to your goals, your addiction, and your life circumstances. The good news is that you never have to battle your addiction alone. You will receive ongoing support from professionals that care about your recovery.
Begin Your Recovery from Meth Addiction Today
Ready to take the first step toward a sober future? Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston can help. Our team of medical professionals and compassionate recovery specialists provide a safe place for you to get clean and start the rest of your life.
Don’t let meth keep running your life. Call 866.516.8356 today to get started.
