The journey of addiction and recovery can be a harrowing experience for both mothers and daughters. Addiction not only affects the individual struggling with substance abuse but also takes a…
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Meth is an unregulated chemical, which allows each manufacturer full authority over his or her production. A person that manufactures meth extracts ingredients from certain pills and mixes it with other chemicals, such as lantern fuel, antifreeze, battery acid, drain cleaner…etc. Due to that fact that meth is completely unregulated consumers have no idea what they are actually ingesting. This puts individuals who use meth at risk of overdose every single time they use the drug. Additionally, ingesting the potential poison that is laced into meth can be dangerous and life threatening in its own right.
Meth is one of the most addictive drugs available in America in this day-in-age. If an individual uses it more than twice it is highly likely that his or her body will develop a dependency to the influx of chemicals that innately comes with a dose of meth.
Detoxing from methamphetamine is uncomfortable and difficult. While some individuals choose to detox at home, certain complications (i.e. dehydration) may occur. For this reason, many individuals will opt to attend an inpatient medically supervised detox program. A supervised detox program will allow an individual full access to support staff throughout the duration of his or her detox process. In some cases, medications can be administered to help ease some of the discomforts associated with one’s withdrawal symptoms. Additionally, a proper detox program will help set an individual up for proper post-care, which is essential for any person struggling with substance abuse and/ or addiction.
Withdrawal Symptoms
Withdrawal symptoms from meth affect all aspects of a person: physically, mentally and behaviorally.
The severity and duration of one’s withdrawal symptoms will depend on the individual’s personal health history, the length of time he or she had been abusing meth, if he or she abused other drugs or alcohol concurrently with meth use, the dosage of meth abused, and the method of ingestion.
Some examples of withdrawal symptoms that may manifest during one’s detox from meth include any combination of the following:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Increased appetite
- Headaches
- Difficulty concentrating
- Fatigue
- Sweating
- Dizziness
- Weight gain
- Anger
- Irritability
- Fever
- Aggression
- Paranoia
- Muscle weakness
- Unable to feel pleasure (known as anhedonia)
- Delusions
- Psychosis
Every individual is different and will experience somewhat differing symptoms when it comes to his or her detox process.
The length of time an individual can expect to experience withdrawal symptoms will vary significantly. Some of the withdrawal symptoms may persist long after an individual has successfully completed a detox program. Meth is a dangerous drug, as regular use can result in short term and long term, serious, physical and mental harm.
Treatment
While the first step of recovery from methamphetamine abuse is to undergo a detox process, one’s recovery work does not stop there.
After an individual has successfully completed a detox program, it is highly advised to attend some form of substance abuse treatment program. Any individual who has habitually abused methamphetamines have altered their life to accommodate their drug cravings. This can leave an individual with strained family and friend relationships, financial hardship, poor physical health, and an inability to lead a sober life. Attending a treatment program, whether it is outpatient or inpatient, can help a person begin to mend some the areas of his or her life that were detrimentally affected by his or her drug use. Any inpatient detox program will work with an individual towards the end of his or her stay to create a manageable aftercare plan, post the completion of detox.
Further Information
Substance abuse and addiction can be incredibly dangerous.
If you or someone you know is suffering from substance abuse or addiction, please get help as soon as possible. The earlier you seek support, the sooner you and your loved ones can return to happy, healthy and fulfilling lives. There is no reason to go through this alone. Please feel free to reach out to us for further information or with any questions regarding substance abuse or addiction. We are available anytime via telephone at: 213-389-9964, or you can always email us at: info@friendlyhousela.org.
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