How to Recover from a Meth Binge

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Advice on Recuperating from Meth Abuse and Treatment Options

Methamphetamine is an intense upper known for producing a stimulating, euphoric high like cocaine – but lasting significantly longer. And, according to physics, what goes up must come down.

After a meth binge, this “crash” comes with feelings of anxiety, restlessness, agitation, or depression. There are also unpleasant physical side effects, including intense cravings that make it harder not to relapse.

Fortunately, if you’re wondering how to recover from a meth binge, you’re in the right place. Keep reading to learn more about the crystal meth withdrawal symptoms and timeline, managing symptoms at home, and when to consider professional medical detox at a treatment center like Catalina Behavioral Health.

What is a Meth Binge?

The high from methamphetamine can last anywhere from 4-12 hours. Meth users might use it repeatedly, prolonging the high and stopping themselves from feeling the crash from meth withdrawal by using again and again. This pattern can last several days or several weeks, leading to serious meth addiction.

What to Expect After a Meth Binge

Immediately after a meth binge, it’s common to feel exhausted as you comedown from crystal. You may sleep anywhere from 24-48 hours and feel depressed. Following this, it’s normal to feel agitated, paranoid, or unable to feel pleasure from life. Hunger and drug cravings are also common.

Meth withdrawal happens because when you are taking meth, your body uses up all the dopamine and serotonin in your brain. The dopamine system is responsible for feelings of pleasure, satisfaction, and mental well-being.

It also happens because of the physical dependence that occurs from methamphetamine addiction. Your body gets so used to the increased energy and mood when using meth that without it, you crash.

Common Symptoms of Meth Withdrawal

Over time, regular use of meth for long periods of time causes a dependence on the drug. With continued substance abuse, you’ll find taking meth necessary for your body and brain to feel “normal”.

For this reason, the side effects of methamphetamine comedown are the opposite of the stimulant drug. Common physical and psychological symptoms include:

• Extreme fatigue
• Muscle aches
• Sleeping too much or feeling tired but unable to rest
• Restlessness
• Sleep disturbances or vivid, unpleasant dreams
• Reduced heart rate
• Hunger
• Drug cravings
• Feeling unable to enjoy life or experience pleasure
• Trouble concentrating
• Paranoia
• Psychosis or hallucinations

The intensity of mental and physical symptoms are going to change depending on factors like your habits when using meth, overall physical health, metabolism, and whether you use meth alongside alcohol or other drug use. This also effects the meth recovery timeline.

Complications and More Severe Symptoms

Severe withdrawal symptoms are most common with heavy or long-term meth use. There’s also an increased risk of loss of pleasure in life, severe depression, and suicidal thoughts. Some people may act on these thoughts, so it’s important to reach out if you are struggling.

There’s also an increased risk of severe or even deadly symptoms for individuals who engage in polysubstance use, which is combining methamphetamine with alcohol or other drugs. In this situation, medical detox programs can make the detox process safer and more comfortable.

Long-Term Effects of Meth Users

While meth comedown has some risks, the risks of continued methamphetamine use are more severe. Common symptoms include insomnia, erratic behavior, paranoia, excessive scratching, skin sores, meth mouth (caused by gum disease and tooth loss from the stimulant use), and weight loss.

It also increases blood pressure and puts strain on the cardiovascular system, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke and decreasing overall health.

Managing the Meth Crash at Home

The best thing to do when attempting meth recovery at home is to support your body through the process, despite the physical effects. Resting when you can, drinking water, and eating a well-balanced diet all provide critical support.

Having a support system is also critical, especially when the intense cravings associated with the process begin. Taking meth is not the answer to achieving sobriety goals. This can be a trusted friend or family member who you can contact for encouragement and support through detox.

Lastly, informing yourself on the possible physical and mental health symptoms, the risks and  other symptoms of meth comedown, and having coping skills in place to manage strong cravings will keep you focused. It will also be easier to know when you should consider medical supervision during meth comedown.

Avoid Using Other Substances to Ease Symptoms

Methamphetamine withdrawal symptoms are incredibly unpleasant. It may be tempting to turn to other drugs as a means of relaxing and easing the restlessness associated with meth comedown.

There’s also a risk of addiction to alcohol, opioids, or other downers used to ease symptoms of meth comedown. Poly-substance abuse is incredibly difficult to manage without professional help.

When to Seek Medical Help During Methamphetamine Withdrawal

For many meth users, quitting meth causes uncomfortable symptoms. However, the crash is not as severe or dangerous as coming down from depressants like alcohol and opioids.

Even so, there is a risk of severe dysphoric or psychosis symptoms from meth. These states impact decision-making abilities and can make you dangerous to yourself.

If you are struggling, call someone you trust or go to the nearest emergency room. Remember that healthcare professionals are meant to help. They also cannot disclose information about substance use disorder to law officers, the courts, family members, or others without your consent.

Considering Alternative Treatment Options

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, meth is highly addictive.

Even though some people have success detoxing and abstaining from meth on their own, professional treatment has several advantages for lasting recovery.

Professional Medical Detox

Currently, there are no FDA-approved medications to treat the withdrawal symptoms from chronic meth use. Even so, a medical professional may prescribe medication to manage some of the worse symptoms associated with meth recovery.

During our medical detox program at Catalina, you’ll work with a team of professionals who monitor symptoms around the clock. As the worst symptoms subside, you’ll be invited to learn skills supporting long-term sobriety. 

Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment Programs

At Catalina, we understand that every client’s journey is unique. After reaching out, our clients go through an intake where you’ll discuss your needs with one of our specialists. Then, they’ll be able to make recommendations about the program that will work best to support your journey.

Some of the programs that we offer for addiction to stimulants, including methamphetamine, cocaine, and amphetamine medications include inpatient rehab, partial hospitalization programs, intensive outpatient programs, and mental health support. All our programs are based on effective, evidence-based techniques.

We also offer dual diagnosis programs that focus on co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Treating the mental health aspect, whether the struggles contributed to meth addiction or came after, is an essential part of the recovery process. It will also help reduce stress in life.

During these programs, you’ll work in individual and group therapy to understand the nature of addiction, identify stresses and triggers, and learn coping skills to overcome them. You’ll also receive high levels of emotional support in a structured environment that helps you develop healthy habits that support recovery after completing treatment.

Following these program, we’ll ensure you have a safe, supportive environment to return to after rehab. We can also help you find mental health services and support groups in your local area.

Turn to Catalina for Proven Support Overcoming Meth Abuse

The way that methamphetamine affects your brain makes it highly addicting. Even when you’re determined to quit, uncomfortable withdrawal and cravings can make it hard to get fully clean on your own.

It’s during these times that reaching out to a professional treatment center like Catalina Behavioral Health can help you find the support that you need to overcome the hurdle of withdrawal. All calls are confidential, so please, call us today!

References

1. https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/methamphetamine
2. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24426-dual-diagnosis