Crystal Meth Detox
Meth Detox Program in Orange County, CA
Crystal methamphetamine, also simply called meth, is a very addictive drug. It is a stimulant that you can become addicted to quickly – even after using it only once or twice. When you use the drug for a period of time, you may develop a physical dependence upon it and your body will go into withdrawal if you discontinue use. Meth withdrawal symptoms, while not typically life-threatening, are unpleasant and difficult to deal with. That’s why it’s recommended that crystal meth users attend our Orange County meth detox program where they are under medical supervision as they go through the detox process.
The symptoms of crystal meth withdrawal are often the reason that people cannot detox from the drug on their own. The symptoms may be physical, mental, or behavioral. They are typically intense and last for days to weeks.
Key Facts
New Cases per Year
3,000
People at Risk
1.6 Million
Most Common
80 - 90%
Median Age
34
01. What Is Crystal Meth?
What Is Crystal Meth Abuse and Detoxification?
Crystal meth addiction has swept the country because of its low cost and how easy it is to manufacture. Crystal methamphetamine is highly addictive and is a stimulant that increases levels of dopamine in the system for that happy feeling. Tolerance builds quickly in users and they will require more of the drug to achieve the same feeling. It usually takes professional help to detox from meth because of its highly addictive nature. When the high wears off and withdrawal symptoms set in, it’s very common for users to seek out more of the drug.
02. Effects of Using CRYSTAL METH
The Effects of Crystal Meth Abuse on The Body
Crystal methamphetamine is a stimulant that can be taken different ways. It can be snorted, smoked, or injected. The first effects that users feel is an intense rush and a high feeling that provides alertness and energy. During the period of being high, users often feel aggressively smarter, hyper-focused on strange or meaningless tasks and ideas, and they may become argumentative or delusional. This period is called “tweaking” and can last for as long as 16 hours.
Users who are tweaking usually don’t sleep and have little interest in eating. Other negative side effects of meth include:
- Confusion and trouble thinking
- Outbursts of anger
- Paranoia
- Irritability
- Muscle spasms
- Skin sores
- Inability to concentrate and memory problems
- Lack of coordination
03. Side Effects of Detox
What Are the Withdrawal Symptoms of Crystal Meth?
Detoxing from crystal meth isn’t typically life-threatening, but it is uncomfortable and can be made safer and more comfortable within a medically supervised detox center. While the exact symptoms and length of detox can vary from person to person, there are some common effects and a general timeline they follow. Crystal meth has a short half-life and is a quick-acting drug, which means it enters and exits the body fairly rapidly. Withdrawal from meth usually occurs in three phases, acute, post-acute, and protracted abstinence.
Acute Withdrawal
Acute withdrawal symptoms typically begin within the first 24 hours after the last meth use and last for seven to ten days. During this phase, individuals will often experience physical symptoms like dry mouth, extreme fatigue, jitteriness, increased appetite, uncontrollable body twitches and movements, body and muscle aches, and slowed reaction and movement. There are also psychological and emotional symptoms that include:
- Confused thoughts
- Irritability
- Vivid and unpleasant dreams
- Emotional outbursts and mood swings
- Inability to experience pleasure
- Intense craving for crystal meth
Post-acute Withdrawal
The next phase of meth withdrawal usually lasts from two to three weeks after the acute phase. During this phase, the withdrawal symptoms of the acute phase decline in intensity and severity. The symptoms that are most commonly experienced during post-acute withdrawal include extreme fatigue, lethargy, depression, suicidal ideation, and intense cravings for meth. These symptoms can be significant and often lead to individuals returning to using crystal meth to alleviate them.
Protracted Abstinence
The last phase of crystal meth withdrawal is protracted abstinence. During this phase, people usually aren’t still experiencing physical withdrawal symptoms. Instead, the emotional and psychological symptoms of withdrawal are present. Symptoms include anxiety, depression, suicidal ideations, and cravings. This phase can go on for weeks or even months after you stop using crystal meth, making it a very vulnerable time that is prone to relapse.
04. How Long Does Detox Take to Finish
How Long Will It Take to Detox from Crystal Meth?
Generally speaking, the longer an individual has been using crystal meth, the worse the withdrawal symptoms will be. Additionally, age can play a part in the severity of withdrawal symptoms, with older individuals usually experiencing worse symptoms than young people.
That said, crystal meth has a fairly short half-life (an average around 10 hours), which means it’s a fast-acting drug and that it is metabolized quickly as well. Withdrawal symptoms usually begin within the first 24 hours after use is discontinued. It reaches its peak at around a week or ten days of abstinence, and from there, symptoms begin to subside. However, emotional and psychological symptoms can last much longer, even months after use has stopped.
There are various factors that can affect the length of an individual’s detox. Some of those factors include how long they used crystal meth, how much they used, how they used the drug (snort, smoke, inject), and the age and overall health of the person.
How to Recognize if Crystal Meth Detox May Be Right For You
- You are focused on using crystal meth every day
- Your attempts to stop using crystal meth have failed
- Your thoughts are consumed about how to stop using crystal meth
- You spend excessive amounts of time using meth or trying to find more of it
- You use more meth than you intend to
- You neglect other responsibilities (school, work, family, etc.) to use crystal meth
- You experience withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop using meth
- You need to use more crystal meth to get the same high you used to
- You use meth despite negative consequences
05. Detox by Drug Type
What Are the Different Types of Detox?
At True Life Recovery detox program, we are committed to helping clients detox from crystal meth and other substances so they can go on to lead sober, fulfilling lives. The detox process at True Life Recovery is conducted in a safe, confidential, and supportive manner. We monitor our clients’ vital signs and medical conditions to keep them safe and as comfortable as possible as they detox. We provide medical check-ups and may administer medications to ease the discomfort of withdrawal from meth.
We offer detox for drugs and alcohol including:
06. Getting Help
Getting Help
Crystal meth addiction is often difficult to overcome. It requires comprehensive treatment that starts with detox and goes on to other programs like a residential or outpatient treatment programs. Detox is simply the beginning of recovery in which the drug is eliminated from the body. But detox isn’t enough. You need to have additional treatment that includes therapy to address underlying issues that led to your addiction. In residential or outpatient treatment, you will receive addiction education, group and individual therapy, coping skills, and relapse prevention techniques that will help you maintain long-term sobriety and recovery.
Crystal meth is one of the hardest drugs to stop using, so it’s important to seek professional help from an addiction treatment center that offers medically supervised detoxification. At True Life Recovery detox, we help clients with crystal meth detox in a supportive and compassionate setting. Our center is comfortable, home-like, and private. Our medical staff is caring and supportive, providing around-the-clock monitoring to ensure our clients’ safety and comfort.
If you or a loved one is struggling with meth addiction, we can help. Contact us today to start your new life in recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Addiction is a complicated, irrational and multi-faceted disease. Addiction is a chronic disease of the brain that is persisting, recurring and difficult to stop. Addiction is not a moral failing or a lack of will power. Nobody chooses to be an addict. Experimenting with drugs and alcohol may lead to addiction in certain people. People basically use drugs or alcohol to relax, escape or reward themselves. A potential addiction occurs and is more likely in people who have an addictive personality caused by biology, environment or socially or are predisposed through heredity. These people don’t just feel good after using they feel so good they chase the feeling and the substance.
Signs of Addiction:
- Increased Tolerance & Intense Urges
- Physical or Emotional Withdrawal Symptoms
- Negative Consequences
- Unsuccessful Attempts to Stop
- Too Much Time Spent Seeking Next High
- Addiction without the proper professional help can be terminal.
If you cannot control or stop using alcohol or drugs and your use is affecting your life adversely regarding health, self-esteem, family, employment, friends even law enforcement it’s probably time to consider a recovery program for yourself.
The first step after deciding to take control of your life back is to detox. Detoxing from an addiction is the first step in changing your life.
A “cold turkey” approach is not recommended because of the physical problems that may arise. In our experience people who try going cold turkey usually disappoint themselves and relapse. Detox should never be attempted at home or without medical supervision at a licensed detox treatment facility.
At True Life Recovery, we medically manage your detox stay and provide you with as pain-free and safe experience as possible. We manage the physical effects of withdrawal, give you a safe comfortable supportive environment with proper food and emotional support.
When an individual determines to live life clean and sober the first step is detox.
The next phase is adjusting to abstinence. Lasting recovery means behavioral changes that support your journey. Talking it out in a private or public support system will assist in recovery.
Active involvement in support groups such as AA or NA are recommended.
There are many drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers also available to assist individuals to learn new coping skills and focus on their recovery. As well, your religious organization may be of great support.
Addiction is a chronic disease, therefore the goal is a long-term successful management of the disease.
Detoxification from drugs or alcohol varies depending on the type, the level of abuse, and the individual client’s health.
In general, detox will take 3 to 10 days.
When you speak with one of our True Life Recovery representatives they will begin to assess your dependency and will give you a good idea of what timeline to expect to stay.
Costs include 24-hour supervision and monitoring, room and board in a private or shared room, intake evaluation, counseling and therapy sessions as well as nutritious food freshly prepared daily.
For anyone worried that the wrong person will find out that you are going through a detox program – don’t be. Deciding to become clean and sober is a very personal issue and we highly respect individual rights. We do not give out personal information, have and maintain a very strict confidentiality policy.