Meth withdrawal symptoms can vary in intensity and duration based on factors like dosage, method of administration, drug purity, and history of use. Some symptoms are manageable with home care and lifestyle adjustment, while some require immediate medical assistance. You don’t have to wait for acute symptoms to show before taking the right action. Recognising early withdrawal signs is essential for seeking timely support and managing the symptoms.
This article details some of the early meth withdrawal symptoms and the immediate action you can take.
Early Meth Withdrawal Symptoms and How to Manage Them
Meth withdrawal symptoms can manifest as early as 24 hours after the last use. The initial symptoms can persist for a few days to weeks, while cravings for meth consumption last for at least five weeks. Here are the early symptoms to watch out for.
Fatigue and Lethargy
Being tired and lacking energy is one of the earliest indicators of meth withdrawal symptoms. A meth user will likely experience an overwhelming sense of tiredness even after getting a full night’s sleep. Minor exertions will easily tire you out, and even your mental stamina will take a hit, making it difficult for you to concentrate on something.
To help manage this symptom, do the following:
- Aim to sleep seven to nine hours each night in a comfortable environment. This might not work initially, and you may still feel tired after waking up, but keep going.
- Establish a daily sleep routine and try your best to stick to it. Regulating your body’s internal clock will help promote stable energy levels, which will help you feel less sluggish.
- Avoid, or at least minimise, the consumption of stimulants like energy drinks and caffeine, especially when it’s close to sleep time.
Cravings and Increased Appetite
You may also experience heightened hunger after your last use, leading you to consume more food than usual. Studies also show that meth increases sugar cravings, which you may feel during early withdrawal phases. You may also crave more high-calorie or fatty foods, which could lead to frequent snacking.
If you have an increased appetite, you might as well consume healthy foods. We recommend:
- Focusing on high-fibre meals and those that are rich in protein. Healthy fats can help you feel full longer, so you don’t feel as hungry as often.
- Choosing healthier snacks like fruits, yogurts, and nuts.
- Drinking plenty of water throughout the day can help regulate your appetite.
Irritability and Mood Swings
Another early meth withdrawal symptom is emotional instability, usually marked by being unusually sensitive to minor triggers. Your mood can also change quickly, like being happy one moment and very sad the next. You may also feel on edge most of the time for no reason.
Uncontrollable emotions are tough to handle, but there are ways to improve them.
- Regularly practising self-relief techniques can help you regulate your emotions immediately and in the long run. Mindful and gentle activities like meditation, deep breathing, and yoga are good starting places.
- You don’t have to handle this alone. Seek emotional support from your family and friends or experts like mental health professionals.
Difficulty Sleeping
Some individuals with meth use disorder will have trouble falling or staying asleep when the withdrawal symptoms occur. You might lie down for a long time before you start dozing off and wake up multiple times at night for no reason. This could add to the fatigue you usually feel.
You need to improve your sleeping habits to combat this symptom. We suggest the following:
- Develop a sleep routine. You may have to include the time spent lying awake on your sleep schedule.
- Help yourself fall asleep faster by making your bedroom conducive to resting. The setup will depend on your preference, but cold, dark, and quiet rooms tend to help increase sleep quality. You can also use a white noise machine or earplugs if needed.
- Again, avoid stimulants. Also, limit your screen time to at least an hour before going to bed.
Serious Symptoms That Require Professional Inpatient Treatment
The withdrawal symptoms mentioned above are mild ones you can manage with preparation and home care. However, some symptoms that manifest early on can be severe enough that professional care is highly recommended to ensure safety.
Psychosis
One of the more serious meth withdrawal symptoms is methamphetamine-induced psychosis, which is a severe mental condition where the mind has some loss of contact with reality. This usually manifests as hallucinations and paranoia, and in uncommon cases, incoherent speech and difficulty in distinguishing what’s real and not.
The immediate action for this involves the help of medical professionals.
- If you or a loved one is experiencing this symptom, contact emergency help or go to the nearest emergency service. Immediate medical intervention is needed in this situation.
- Inpatient care may be needed for safe detoxification and withdrawal management since these symptoms usually occur for those with severe dependence on crystal meth.
Severe Depression
Another meth withdrawal symptom that needs urgent action is severe depression, especially since this is closely linked to having suicidal thoughts. Engaging in self-harm activities is the biggest red flag of severe depression.
However, there are other signs to watch out for before it comes to that, such as ideation of suicidal thoughts or death and sudden loss of interest or pleasure in formerly enjoyable activities. Be vigilant for drastic changes in behaviour, like being suddenly withdrawn.
If you or someone you know is at risk of this symptom, we recommend the following.
- Reach out to emergency contacts like crisis hotlines or mental health crisis teams.
- You may have to enrol in inpatient treatment programs, like HARP, for round-the-clock monitoring and intensive therapy.
Long-Term Management of Meth Withdrawal Symptoms
While meth withdrawal may last just for days or weeks for many people, some develop post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). This condition can cause symptoms to persist and return for years. Without the right support, PAWS can cause recovering meth users to relapse.
Therefore, remember to build a support network because you’ll need it. You can involve your close family and friends in your recovery process or attend support groups like Narcotics Anonymous to gain support from peers in similar situations. A relapse prevention strategy is also a must. Work with your therapist to identify personal triggers and stressors and develop a plan to combat them.
Making positive changes to your lifestyle is not just for managing early symptoms; it’s also the cornerstone of your sustained recovery. Set and work toward a personal and professional goal, develop new skills or hobbies as constructive outlets for your energy, and engage in self-care activities that contribute to mental and emotional help.
Hills & Ranges Private (HARP) offers reliable lifetime aftercare support if you choose the facility to help you or your loved one stop using meth. We also ensure top-notch meth withdrawal care. Our excellent and caring medical professionals are available 24/7 to respond to our client’s needs.
To know more about our programs or get a personalised action plan, call a meth withdrawal specialist today.
