A 2021 national drug use survey found that 2.5 million people over age 12 reported using methamphetamine at least once in the prior year, and 1.6 million had a methamphetamine use disorder. While this highly addictive drug causes a range of serious neurological and physical effects, meth withdrawal symptoms pose a new set of challenges to users in recovery.
If you’ve been struggling to overcome a meth addiction, you’re not alone, but recovery is possible. Learn the symptoms of methamphetamine withdrawal and how to find treatment options to help you achieve sobriety.
Understanding Methamphetamine Addiction
Methamphetamine causes the brain to release high levels of dopamine, the neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and motivation. During this surge of dopamine, people experience heightened energy and intense euphoria. However, once that dopamine leaves the body, users begin to feel depressed and anxious.
After the energy and motivation of the amphetamine high subsides, the crash arrives quickly, leaving users lethargic and fatigued. The best way to regain those feelings of a meth high — the euphoria, confidence and motivation — is to smoke more meth. Unfortunately, methamphetamine tolerance builds quickly. To achieve the same high, users must smoke more meth more often to satisfy their cravings.
Common Symptoms of Meth Withdrawal
When a person stops smoking meth, it affects their mind and body. While the short- and long-term effects of meth use can be fatal, withdrawal from the drug can challenge the most committed addicts in recovery. Common withdrawal symptoms of meth include:
- Lethargy and fatigue. Meth increases energy levels beyond normal. As the body adjusts to the lack of stimulants, the person feels tired for long periods.
- Increased appetite. Many people lose weight on meth due to its appetite-suppressing properties. With meth no longer in their system, hunger returns, and they want to eat more often.
- Difficulty falling asleep or sleeping too much. The mental withdrawal symptoms often lead to insomnia; however, the lack of stimulants and overwhelming fatigue recovering addicts experience may cause some to sleep for excessive amounts of time.
- Loss of interest in activities. As the brain adjusts to the lack of extra dopamine, the person begins to feel unhappy. Their favorite hobbies may no longer interest them.
- Feeling anxious and irritable. Many people feel restless and short-tempered during meth withdrawal. Small pet peeves set them off, and they have trouble feeling comfortable in their skin.
- Delusions and feelings of paranoia increase. Paranoia and psychosis occur from meth abuse and are also a symptom of meth withdrawal. The person may hear sounds that aren’t there or have various delusions.
- Abrupt mood changes. Recovering addicts often experience rapid mood changes, ranging from feelings of irritability to apathy and sadness.
- Difficulty making decisions and focusing. When going through the methamphetamine withdrawal phase, concentrating is difficult. Simple choices seem complex, and many have trouble staying on task.
- Decreased short-term memory. Addicts in the early stage of recovery experience frequent forgetfulness.
- Stiff muscles. Meth withdrawal causes muscles to stiffen as the body adjusts to functioning without the stimulant.
- Noticeable aches and pains throughout the body. People using meth become accustomed to having surplus energy and staying active. Without stimulants powering their actions, they feel their body’s response to their prior activities. Flu-like symptoms are common as well.
The Withdrawal Timeline: What to Expect
For many, the first 24-48 hours of methamphetamine withdrawal are the most intense. They feel extremely tired, and their mood is unstable, often switching rapidly between irritability and apathy. With methamphetamine no longer suppressing their appetite, they become ravenous.
Most symptoms peak during the first week. Cravings, anxiety and depression reach their maximum, and at this point, many people in recovery relapse. Muscle aches and other physical symptoms are also still present at this stage. From the second week forward, some psychological symptoms remain but are much less intense, and many physical symptoms have significantly decreased.
The short-term memory issues and radical mood shifts gradually diminish as time passes in recovery. Months later, many people notice they can focus and think clearly again, sleep normally and feel less irritable and restless.
If you’ve just started your recovery journey, some symptoms may impact you more or less than they affect others. This is due to your own physiology as well as the severity of your addiction. It’s all only temporary. With time and dedication, sobriety will be yours.
Treatment Options for Managing Withdrawal
Treating methamphetamine withdrawal involves behavioral therapies, support groups, medications and residential treatment programs. Before any program begins, many addicts undergo detox, where medical professionals supervise the early phase of withdrawal using medications as necessary to ease the process.
In cognitive behavioral therapy, addicts meet with counselors who help them understand the thoughts and behaviors that led to their drug use. Some therapists implement motivational interviewing, which helps recovering addicts address their desire to change and achieve sobriety.
Many with severe addiction attend inpatient rehabilitation programs. These structured environments provide 24-7 support in recovery. Outpatient rehab programs offer more flexibility as participants return home after attending therapy and support sessions. Both types of treatment typically involve attending counseling sessions and meeting with support groups.
Long-Term Recovery and Support
Addiction counselors encourage most recovering addicts to continue attending support meetings and therapy. Relating to a group of peers with similar experiences often helps people in recovery stay committed to sobriety.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle plays an important role as well. From creating solid eating habits to exercising and getting enough sleep, building the foundation of a healthy life helps power the mind and body to the point where relying on drugs is less attractive.
If you or someone you know struggles with a meth addiction, don’t wait to find help. Support groups and free assistance are available throughout the country. Contact the National Rehab Hotline 24-7 to find treatment options near you.