Understanding the mind of a meth addict can be helpful if you have a loved one battling meth addiction. While you may not necessarily understand what it feels like to be dependent on methamphetamine, learning more about its addictive nature and potential for abuse can prepare you to help someone with this drug problem. Our luxury rehab in Florida is sharing some insight into the mind of a meth addict and the truth about meth addiction.
What Does a Meth High Feel Like?
What is a meth high like? What makes this dangerous drug so appealing to drug users? Methamphetamine, also called crystal meth, is a central nervous system stimulant that targets the brain and activates the release of chemicals, including dopamine and serotonin. These neurotransmitters play roles in regulating mood, pleasure, and reward. The meth experience centers on the euphoric and pleasurable feelings that occur from high levels of these chemicals.
People high on meth are usually chasing an intense high, even if it doesn’t last. The side effects of meth abuse result from the drug’s direct impact on the central nervous system, and there are various stages of a meth high consisting of various physical and psychological symptoms.
The Initial Rush
A crystal meth high usually begins with a rush of euphoria. This feeling is the direct result of meth’s ability to stimulate the release of neurotransmitters in the brain. As a result, neurons in the brain send signals to each other that promote reward and pleasure. It’s this initial rush of reward that motivates people to use the drug again.
The High/“Blunted” Emotions
In contrast, other people feel as if their emotions have been numbed or “blunted” when they use meth. They may become less aware of their feelings, which can motivate individuals who want to escape painful memories or emotions. A meth high can last anywhere from 4 to 16 hours.
The length depends on how much the person used and how long they’ve been using meth. While high, they may also begin to feel a sense of power. This feeling might manifest into sociability or aggressive behavior. It usually isn’t until after the individual has undergone medically monitored detox or addiction treatment that they realize their conduct and how their behavior affected those around them.
Tweaking
Meth use can result in “tweaking,” which is a common term used to describe the fidgety and erratic behaviors and sensations meth users experience after coming down from a high. These sensations can include feelings of bugs crawling under the skin, also known as meth mites. Most if not all meth users can be identified by the abscess, scabs, and scratches on their skin caused by users’ attempts to pick at these “bugs.”
The tweaking phase of a meth high can also include extreme paranoia, hallucinations, and delusional thinking. Meth users who are tweaking may become aggressive and violent when experiencing these psychotic symptoms. Side effects such as these can last for several hours after the person’s last use.
Meth Withdrawal/Crashing
People addicted to drugs such as meth usually only think about when and how they’ll get their next fix. They have tunnel vision because of how their brain has conformed and become dependent on methamphetamine. When a person with a meth addiction does not use meth for a certain period of time, they may experience certain psychological and behavioral side effects called withdrawal symptoms.
Common withdrawal symptoms of meth include:
- Decreased energy
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Excessive sweating
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Long periods of sleep or insomnia
- Vivid dreams and nightmares
- Increased appetite and thirst
- Intense meth cravings
Meth crash symptoms are so uncomfortable that users will continue using the drug partly to prevent them from occurring. Attempting to detox from meth at home is dangerous and can increase the risk of health complications and even death.
Seaside Palm Beach offers a luxury detox program that prevents users from continuing their drug use by safely helping them complete the withdrawal phase of recovery. Patients who complete this treatment are then able to move on to our more advanced rehab programs, which include holistic addiction treatment.
How to Help Someone on Meth
Despite the risks of using meth, more than 2 million Americans aged 12 and older used it in 2019, with an average of 510 new users per day.1 The high caused by meth only provides temporary relief and adds to the individual’s problems. Long-term meth use can lead to a variety of health problems and impair cognitive function. One of the most common issues faced by long-time meth users is addiction, a disease in which a person is unable to control their drug use despite the consequences. Meth mouth (tooth decay) and meth mites (skin picking and diseases) are two of the many adverse side effects of methamphetamine.
Understanding the mind of a meth addict and their motivation to use this drug despite the repercussions can be frustrating. The best way to help someone addicted to meth is by getting them professional assistance. Our high-end rehab in Palm Beach offers luxury meth addiction treatment that provides a safe and comfortable environment where patients can recover.
If you’re battling addiction or know someone who is, let Seaside help. Call us now at (888)-997-3274 for more information about our luxury drug and alcohol rehab programs in South Florida.
Symptoms of Meth Withdrawal
Just like many other drugs, methamphetamine can be highly addictive. Because of this, it is common for people’s bodies to become dependent on meth and that means withdrawal symptoms when they try to stop. If you are thinking about quitting meth or are already trying, there are some important things you need to know.
As a luxury detox center in Florida, we watch patients go through withdrawal from many different substances, and we know that the side effects of quitting meth can be uncomfortable and even dangerous. Medical complications are possible, so in order to safely detox from meth, you should do so at a professional center.
Signs of Meth Addiction Withdrawal
If you are going through meth withdrawal yourself or you have a loved one who is going through the process, it can be scary and overwhelming. To help you better understand what to expect, our luxury residential addiction rehab offers insight into the signs of meth withdrawal.
The First Few Days
Meth withdrawal tends to be its most intense and uncomfortable in the first few days.
Some common signs of meth withdrawal immediately following quitting include:
- Fatigue and exhaustion
- Increased appetite, especially for carbohydrates
- Feelings of anxiety, panic, and possible paranoia
- Depression and even suicidal thoughts
- Hallucinations and delusions may occur
- Strong meth cravings
The Next Week
Following the first few days, addicts will start to experience some slightly different meth withdrawal symptoms for up to a week or so.
These symptoms of withdrawal from meth include:
- Weight gain
- Fatigue
- Poor focus and concentration
- Headaches
- Depression and possible suicidal thoughts
- Mood swings
- Meth cravings
Two to Three Weeks Later
At this stage, the symptoms of meth withdrawal should be much less severe. Some lingering signs of meth withdrawal include:
- Instances of meth cravings
- Minor mood swings
- Some possible depression
- Possible sleep problems
- Unusual appetite
- Slower heart rate
Typically, the signs of meth withdrawal are divided into an intense peak the first few days and gradually trail off in intensity after the first 7 to 10 days.2
Not everyone is the same, and the intensity of meth withdrawal will depend on a variety of factors including the severity of the addiction, the addict’s medical history, and genetics. Recovery is also a life-long journey so, unfortunately, some of these symptoms might arise from time to time. For this reason, it is best to enter into a professional addiction treatment program so that all of these lingering issues can be addressed
Whether you or someone you love is looking to stop abusing meth or another drug, you should seek out our luxury treatment center so that you can be as comfortable as possible during this difficult time. Let us be with you every step of the way to help walk you through this journey.
To get started and to learn more about our programs and our facility, call us at (888)-997-3274 today.
Meth Withdrawals: Symptoms, Timeline, and Treatment
Methamphetamine is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant that’s illegally produced and sold on the streets. The drug is known for causing dependence, during which chronic users will experience a “crash” of symptoms after they stop using the drug.
Meth withdrawals can be difficult to cope with, so much so that users often would rather go back to using the drug than try and get through this period. This could lead to a downward spiral of repeated methamphetamine abuse, which can lead to a constant cycle of addiction.
Withdrawals From Meth
Methamphetamine works by stimulating the production of the chemical (neurotransmitter) dopamine in the brain. This sudden spike in dopamine elevates mood, energy, alertness, and motivation, and produces an overall sense of well-being.
Otherwise referred to as a meth high, this feeling is what becomes addicting to users and encourages continuous drug use both physically and mentally.
The withdrawal symptoms of methamphetamine are the result of a developed physical dependence on the drug. When a person who’s dependent on meth suddenly stops using it or tries to quit cold turkey, they’ll experience a sudden crash in dopamine and the elevated functions we previously mentioned. This sudden change is what makes a withdrawal from crystal meth difficult.
Meth detox symptoms vary from person to person in severity and duration. How severe and long-lasting symptoms are depends on factors like duration of drug use, doses used, and whether the individual has any underlying physical or mental health problems.
Additionally, how the person used meth can also impact withdrawal symptoms. For instance, people who inject meth typically experience longer and more intense symptoms than those who use the drug differently.
Common Meth Withdrawals Include:
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Confusion
- Dehydration
- Depression
- Excessive sweating
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Hallucinations
- Increased appetite
- Insomnia
- Loss of motivation
- Nausea
- Paranoia
- Red, itchy eyes
- Severe depression
- Stomach aches
- Suicidal thoughts
- Tremors
Meth Withdrawal Timeline
The timeline for mental and physical symptoms of meth withdrawal may also vary depending on the nature of the person’s drug use.
The acute phase of withdrawal usually peaks around day 2 or 3 after the last use and generally begins to subside after a week.
However, psychological symptoms like mood swings, agitation, drug cravings, and trouble sleeping can persist for multiple weeks, with depression lasting for months to a year in some cases.
Methamphetamine Withdrawal Timeline
- First 2 Days: This phase of meth withdrawal is known as the “crash” and occurs within the first day of quitting meth. During the first two days of withdrawal, users will begin to experience a sharp decline in energy, mood, and cognitive function, as well as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and sweating.
- Days 3 to 10: Crystal methamphetamine withdrawal symptoms usually peak at this point of the process. As the body attempts to adjust without meth, recovering users will experience symptoms like depression, anxiety, and fatigue. Some might also experience tremors and lingering muscle aches, as well as intense cravings for meth.
- Days 14 to 20: Meth withdrawals usually last around 2 to 3 weeks. Towards the end of the second week, most physical symptoms begin to dissipate, but intense cravings may persist. Additionally, symptoms like fatigue and depression are also common during this stage.
- 1 Month: The worst withdrawal symptoms are typically over at this point. Any remaining symptoms will continue to subside as time passes. However, for some, psychological symptoms like depression and anxiety may last for several months before subsiding.
Meth Withdrawal Treatment
Medically-assisted detox for methamphetamine is a top priority for anyone looking to quit. Detox programs administered in professional medical settings are the safest form of detox for meth.
Our luxury drug and alcohol rehab in South Florida evaluates clients’ physical and mental health to create an individualized treatment plan that addresses their needs.
Following this evaluation, clients can then begin the recovery process with our meth withdrawal treatment, during which they’ll receive 24-hour medical care and support, including medication (as needed) to alleviate their symptoms.
For more information about our meth addiction treatment or our other forms of residential addiction treatment in Palm Beach, call Seaside Palm Beach today at (888)-997-3274.
Speed Kills: A Personal Account
I’d developed an addiction to speed when I first started my career as a financial analyst. I was keeping ridiculous hours and was in the proverbial pressure cooker from day one. I obviously never wanted to develop an addiction—I don’t think anyone really does—but I just needed something to keep up with my job. I knew I needed some sort of affordable drug treatment option when I first started messing up at work due to my inability to focus but ignored my inner voice for almost a year after that. All of my colleagues, family, and friends noticed changes in me after a very short time, and I found it harder and harder to hide the truth…But that didn’t stop me from trying for as long as I possibly could.
My speed abuse started about four months after I began my new job. I wasn’t ready for what this lifestyle was doing to me. I was used to working hard, but not all the time. The 17-hour days were killing me, on top of which I was starting to get depressed and anxious over the fact that I either couldn’t hack it or made the wrong career choice. These are two more things that I addressed in my affordable drug treatment program. One night, at the tail end of my regular day, my boss came in and told my team we needed to stay late that night. Nobody seemed worried except for me—I soon learned why. I noticed two of my team members take a pill and asked what it was. They told me it was speed, and that it really helped to get through these kinds of sessions. As the low man on the totem pole, I couldn’t say anything, so I decided if you can’t beat them, join them.
From that night on I abused speed consistently for a little over a year—it didn’t matter if I worked 40 hours or 80 hours. I was able to get things done and keep going and never wanted this feeling to end. Unfortunately, whenever I wasn’t high, I was anxious, confused, angry, nauseous, and in pain. I found it impossible to concentrate on my job, which is what really made it clear that I needed help. Once I almost lost my job over a colossal error I made that cost my company almost $1.3 million, I knew it was time to get help for my drug addiction.
I called my cousin and came clean about my problem and asked her for help finding a really good treatment center. She told me about a friend of hers who got clean by going to a luxury drug rehab program in Florida. The luxury drug rehab my cousin told me about was located in very beautiful and sunny Palm Beach, Florida. I contacted them and left to start at their luxury rehab that same weekend. They first had me go through their detox center to get me clean before I could start any formal treatment which included a lot of in-depth counseling sessions. The entire experience and accommodations were first-class and very impressive.
I completed my treatment about six months ago, reluctantly leaving their beautiful Florida facility behind me and returning home. I am happy to say that I have been working every day now on rebuilding my career and even more importantly my life. I know in life we usually aren’t given many second chances; I know I was lucky enough to get one and I am definitely going to make the most of it.
Find Addiction Treatment That’s Right For You
If you or someone you love is battling meth addiction, Seaside Palm Beach is here to help. Our comprehensive programs include luxury detox, inpatient rehab, executive addiction treatment, and a range of therapies designed to address the physical and psychological aspects of addiction. Contact us today at (888)-997-3274.
If you’re battling addiction or know someone who is, let Seaside help. Call us now at (888)-997-3274 for more information about our luxury drug and alcohol rehab programs in Florida.
Sources:
- SAMHSA – Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States: Results from the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health
- Wiley Online Library – The nature, time course and severity of methamphetamine withdrawal
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