Meth
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Meth Detox in
Southern California
For someone who’s addicted to methamphetamine, a professional detox program can be essential. Detoxing from meth can lead to medical complications and discomfort. A medical detox can help alleviate some more severe symptoms so that a person can begin their rehab program with a body free of toxins. Harbor Detox is a center offering meth detox in Southern California and inpatient addiction treatment.
What Is Methamphetamine?
Methamphetamine is a drug that is also called crystal meth and just meth. It’s a powerful stimulant that’s incredibly addictive, affecting the central nervous system. Meth comes from amphetamine, leading to increased energy levels and confidence, a reduced appetite, increased activity and talkativeness, and euphoria. The difference between meth and amphetamine is that meth is much more potent and effectively crosses the blood-brain barrier. Meth is also more dangerous for the central nervous system.
For years, the use of meth seemed to be declining in the United States, but recently it’s been rising once again. In 2021, an estimated 32,537 people died from stimulant overdoses primarily related to the use of methamphetamine.
Methamphetamine can be smoked, taken orally, injected, or snorted.
When someone uses the drug, it enters their bloodstream and travels to their brain rapidly, leading to an intense high or rush. The rush lasts just a few minutes, and it’s short-lived as well. That’s why methamphetamine is often abused in a binge and crash pattern. The drug’s pleasurable effects dissipate in a few minutes, so users will try and keep their high going by using it repeatedly.
The molecule making up methamphetamine is very similar to the structure of dopamine, a brain chemical that plays a pivotal role in reinforcing rewarding behaviors. Nerve cells respond to methamphetamine by releasing high dopamine levels—even higher than what comes from other stimulant drugs like cocaine. Meth not only increases dopamine release but also blocks it from reuptake.
Side effects of meth in the short-term include:
- Reduced fatigue
- Increased attention
- Decreased appetite
- Sweating
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Hyperthermia
Dopamine plays a role in motivation, and when it’s released in the brain’s reward circuit at high levels, it can trigger the development of addiction.
Over the long-term meth can have severe side effects, including:
- Development of tolerance means higher doses are needed to feel normal or get the desired effects.
- Mood disturbances and violent behavior.
- Psychotic symptoms like hallucinations, paranoia, and delusions.
- Structural changes in the parts of the brain that play a role in memory and emotion lead to ongoing cognitive problems.
- Severe tooth decay and loss.
- Skin sores.
If you’re seeking a Southern California met detox program or meth withdrawal treatment, Harbor Detox can help. Contact us to learn more.
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What to Expect With Meth Withdrawal
Meth, like other drugs, can cause a psychological addiction where a person’s use is compulsive and out of their control, as well as physical dependence. When dependence forms, your brain relies on the presence of the substance to function in a new sense of “normal.” If you stop suddenly or cut back, your brain will struggle to regain balance. During that time, withdrawal symptoms can occur.
Methamphetamine withdrawal can vary in severity based on how much is used and how long it’s been used, whether other substances are used, and individual health.
The acute signs of meth withdrawal include:
- Anxiety
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Weight gain
- Chills
- Dehydration
- Insomnia followed by excessive sleep
- Low mood, also known as dysphoria, can progress to depression and suicidal thoughts
- Brain fog
- Inability to feel pleasure, known as anhedonia
- Withdrawal from other people
- Intense drug cravings
Then, with meth, long-term withdrawal symptoms can occur. These are known as protracted withdrawal and can include:
- Mood swings
- Drug cravings
- Depression
- Psychosis
- Suicidal thoughts
- Fatigue
- Increased appetite
The cravings during meth withdrawal can be difficult to overcome, and the symptoms are uncomfortable and unpleasant but not usually life-threatening.
Consider a meth detox in Southern California, like what’s available at Harbor Detox, to make it more comfortable and safer.
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How Long Do Meth Withdrawal Symptoms Last?
The timeline for what you might expect during meth withdrawal will be different for every person but generally will start within 24 hours after the last dose of the drug. The symptoms, at least in their acute phase, will last a few days up to a few weeks for most people.
The acute withdrawal symptoms (anxiety, dysphoria, agitation) will begin and peak within 24 hours after the last use for most people and gradually start to get better. Some people experience acute withdrawal symptoms from meth for two weeks.
The protracted withdrawal symptoms are milder than acute withdrawal and might last a few weeks longer.
A meth detox in Southern California, Harbor Detox has a team of compassionate experts who can help you or your loved one through a challenging time and begin your recovery journey.
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Harbor Detox in Orange County, California offers a variety of drug & alcohol addiction treatment options.
Medical Detox for Meth Withdrawal
When someone decides to get help for an addiction, their first step is often detoxing in a medical environment. Medical detox is the best way to stay safe and reduce the likelihood of relapsing. Medical detox programs are structured environments with around-the-clock medical monitoring. Medical interventions and treatments can be used as needed to reduce complications.
Some medicines can help with short-term physical symptoms like nausea and vomiting. Some medicines treat the mood and psychiatric symptoms that can come during withdrawal. For example, bupropion is an antidepressant that can be helpful during meth withdrawal.
Medical detox isn’t a standalone treatment for addiction. Rather it’s a necessary first phase of treatment. Then, once you’ve gone through detox and the drugs are out of your system, you can begin your rehab program, which addresses the underlying causes of what led to addiction in the first place, and co-occurring mental health disorders.
Harbor Detox is a Meth Treatment Center in Southern California
Meth leads to severe addiction symptoms and intense cravings, an inpatient program is usually the next step after detoxing. An inpatient program is residential, and you live at the facility while you receive treatment. Group and individual therapy are cornerstones of an addiction treatment program and medication management.
Once someone completes inpatient rehab, if they’re following a continuum of care, they might transition back to their daily life while continuing treatment on an outpatient basis.
Going through a meth detox isn’t easy, but it is possible, and you can recover from an addiction to this potent stimulant.
Harbor Detox is not only a meth detox in Southern California, but we also offer residential inpatient programs. Contact us for more information or to begin your recovery.