Meth withdrawal can be a difficult and sometimes dangerous experience, especially for those who have been addicted to meth for an extended period. The withdrawal process typically begins within 24 hours after stopping meth and can include intense fatigue, anxiety, depression, cravings, and other severe meth withdrawal symptoms. During the initial “crash period,” individuals may experience confusion, sleep disturbances, and physical discomfort. This is why crystal meth detox at a licensed treatment center is often the safest and most effective way to manage these symptoms.
Professional Meth Detox
Choosing a professional detox and treatment for meth addiction ensures that you or your loved ones receive the right medical support. Quality meth treatment often includes individual therapy, dual diagnosis care for cooccurring disorders, and structured treatment plans that address both mental health disorders and the effects of meth. It’s important to understand that methamphetamine withdrawal is not something to attempt cold turkey without medical guidance—there’s no safe substitute for professional medical advice diagnosis or treatment. Licensed facilities offer both inpatient rehab and outpatient treatment options depending on individual needs and safety concerns.
An addiction to crystal meth is a constant cycle of binging and crashing, causing extreme unhealthy shifts in sleep patterns, nutrition, and mental health. Methamphetamines are under the stimulant classification of drugs, considered to be an “upper”. Currently, there is no medication treatment for methamphetamine addiction recovery. Because of this, overcoming a crystal meth addiction requires intensive therapy and mental health stabilization.
Our Spokane Detox Center
Royal Life Centers at Spokane Heights offers a medical detoxification service, to address the mental and physical symptoms of withdrawal that occur for users who remove the substance from their body. Detoxing from crystal meth can cause severe mental health issues, often resulting in symptoms of psychosis. Royal Life Centers at Spokane Heights provides guests with 24/7 direct supervision from medical professionals, to ensure their comfort and safety. Withdrawal symptoms from meth most commonly include severe anxiety, fatigue, severe depression, intense drug cravings, and psychosis. Crystal meth use has many negative short term and long term effects.
Crystal Meth Use Short Term Effects
As defined by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the short term effects of using meth are as follows:
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Intense euphoria or rush
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Increased energy and alertness
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Decreased appetite
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Rapid heart rate
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Elevated blood pressure
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Increased body temperature
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Dilated pupils
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Anxiety or agitation
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Paranoia
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Aggressive or violent behavior
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Insomnia or inability to sleep
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Twitching or repetitive movements
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Nausea or vomiting
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Hallucinations (visual or auditory)
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Panic or confusion
With continued use, the negative short term effects of using meth can become progressively worse. Users also experience more negative short term effects as the effect of the drug wears off, a period often called the “come down”. Because more negative effects take place during the come down, users will use more and more of the drug to stay high— which causes a cycle of binging and then crashing. During a binge, users will continue to use meth every few hours to keep up their “high” and will often go without food, water, and sleep for days at a time. Once the user stops binging, they usually crash for days at a time— sleeping for days at a time, overeating to compensate for their lack of food, and becoming mentally or emotionally exhausted.
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The Long Term Effects of Methamphetamine(s)
Crystal meth produces a laundry list of horrible long term effects on the user. The long term effects of methamphetamine use, as defined by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), include:
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Severe dental problems (“meth mouth”)
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Extreme weight loss and malnutrition
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Memory loss and cognitive decline
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Anxiety, depression, and mood disturbances
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Paranoia and delusions
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Persistent hallucinations
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Violent or erratic behavior
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Increased risk of stroke or heart attack
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Skin sores and infections from picking
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Liver, kidney, and lung damage
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Weakened immune system
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Sleep disturbances and chronic fatigue
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Social isolation and relationship breakdown
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Increased risk of developing psychotic disorders
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Worsening of co-occurring mental health disorders
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Higher risk of contracting infectious diseases (e.g., HIV, hepatitis) due to unsafe drug practices
Can You Overdose on Meth?
Yes, a methamphetamine overdose can occur when too much of the drug is ingested and the user has a toxic reaction that can result in serious symptoms and death. Overdosing on methamphetamine(s) can result in a stroke, heart attack, and organ failure— which ultimately can lead to death.
How To Treat Meth Addiction
Treating meth addiction is dependent on proper medical attention and supervision, intensive therapy, and ultimately learning a new way of life. Addiction treatment should be teaching about substance use disorder, life skills, coping mechanisms, and how to prevent a relapse, among other things. Royal Life Centers at Spokane Heights is experienced in treating an addiction to crystal meth. We use only proven effective methods of addiction treatment, including cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational incentives, an introduction to 12-step programs of recovery, and other therapeutic methods. Our methods of addiction treatment are practiced throughout each of our treatment program offerings.
Understanding Crystal Methamphetamine Addiction Treatment
When comparing inpatient vs outpatient care, consider the severity of the addiction and any signs of meth addiction or underlying personality disorders. While some may benefit from an outpatient center or outpatient rehab, others may require the intensive support of a full-time recovery center. For those dealing with drug and alcohol detox, including alcohol addiction or alcohol withdrawal, many programs offer integrated alcohol treatment and alcohol detox services as well.
Before starting treatment, it’s essential to verify insurance coverage. Many insurance providers may cover all or part of the detox and rehab costs. Be sure to check insurance benefits, especially when considering long-term care or aftercare planning. While meth detox is just the beginning, comprehensive treatment provides the tools needed to quit meth, rebuild health, and heal relationships. If you’re unsure where to begin, consult a treatment provider who can perform an alcohol assessment, review your situation, and recommend the best course of action. Always remember, this content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical disclaimer.
How We Treat Addiction
Royal Life Centers at Spokane Heights offers a medical detox program and a residential inpatient program. Our medical detox program can last for either 4 days, or for a full 8 day stabilization. Our residential inpatient program is a 2-week program that continues the therapeutic work started in our Spokane detox center. Royal Life Centers also offers treatment program options including: a partial hospitalization program (PHP), an intensive outpatient program (IOP), an outpatient program (OP), sober living and graduate housing.
If you or someone you know is struggling with a crystal meth addiction, please reach out to our knowledgeable addiction specialists toll free at (888) 907-0898. Our team is available to take your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Because We Care.
