Methamphetamine is a dangerous, highly addictive drug. It has only limited medical uses for treating ADHD and obesity. However, it is a popular recreational drug, with a serious potential for addiction and abuse. The need for meth rehab and a meth detox center in Houston has never been higher. If you or a loved one struggle with meth addiction, take the first step and reach out for help today.
Side Effects of Meth Abuse
The popularity of meth stems from the instant euphoric rush users experience when smoking, ingesting, or injecting the drug. Continued meth use chemically alters the structure and function of the human brain. Consequently, meth can impair emotional control, the ability to learn, and result in impaired motor skills. Those effects can continue for many months after someone stops taking meth. Worse, at least 50% of the brain’s dopamine-producing cells can be damaged from long-term or even low-dose use of meth.
Long term effects of meth abuse can include Parkinson’s-like symptoms due to brain damage. Chronic meth users have developed lung disease, heart problems, and liver and kidney damage. Meth addicts are typically underweight or anorexic. They also run an increased risk of contracting Hepatitis (B and C) as well as HIV. Many suffer from chronic dental problems or “meth mouth.”
Detoxing From Meth Withdrawal Symptoms
Meth abuse reroutes neural pathways in the brain and many systems across the body. Without more and more of the drug, the body and brain begin to experience meth withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms range from uncomfortable to possibly life-threatening. At a meth detox center, around-the-clock care helps relieve the most severe withdrawal symptoms. Medical professionals monitor vitals and apply medication as needed. Thus, your body can begin to cleanse itself, and each individual can start to focus on creating lasting recovery.
After detox, a meth addiction treatment center provides comprehensive care, including evidence-based addiction therapies and holistic treatment. There, your mind and body can begin to heal from the ravages of addiction, and each individual gains strength to rely on in the future. However, the withdrawal must be dealt with first. A detox program assists with difficult physical and psychological meth withdrawal symptoms, which can include:
Physical Meth Withdrawal Symptoms
Withdrawal from meth can produce an array of unpleasant physical symptoms, such as:
- Sweating, fever, headaches
- Dizziness, muscle weakness
- Low energy, lethargy, fatigue, excessive tiredness
Physical meth withdrawal symptoms also include changes in appetite and weight gain. Also, during the withdrawal process, the person may have intense cravings to use meth again.
Psychological Meth Withdrawal Symptoms
Withdrawal from meth can produce the following psychological symptoms:
- Anhedonia or the inability to feel or experience pleasure, depression
- Anxiety, irritability, anger, aggression
- Delusions, paranoia, psychosis, hallucinations
- Suicidal thought
The Phases and Timeline of Meth Withdrawal Symptoms
The symptoms mentioned above are part of a list of many possible symptoms of meth withdrawal. They comprise a sequence of depression, low energy, and depression. There is no set timeframe or standard series of events that occur during meth withdrawal. However, when someone stops using meth, they go through distinct phases:
Phase 1—The Crash
Occurring over the first few days, this phase is characterized by a significant reduction in energy, sleepiness, and increased appetite. Also, low energy, depression, and slowed cognition are accompanied by difficulty in dealing with excessive exhaustion.
Phase 2—The Craving Phase
As withdrawal proceeds past the initial “crash,” the person experiences an increased craving to use meth again. The user remembers how their previous functioning was enhanced with meth and misses the euphoria and reward associated with using meth. This phase can last up to 10 weeks.
Phase 3—The Extinction Phase
Lasting up to 30 weeks and following the intense cravings, the desire to use meth becomes more sporadic. The best road to success during this phase of withdrawal is to associate with others who are trying to maintain a clean lifestyle, who are supportive, and who will not trigger a relapse. Relapse prevention planning and continued engagement with therapy can help at each step of recovery.
Find Treatment Today at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston
Detox with Serenity House creates a foundation for recovery from meth addiction. Our patients must first get clean before that recovery can begin. Don’t let meth addiction ruin your health and control your life. Call us at 866.516.8356 to set up an appointment today.
