Crystal methamphetamine (commonly known as Crystal Meth or simply Meth) is a highly addictive synthetic stimulant that causes some users to become addicted after their first use. The effects of crystal meth include a rush of euphoria, heightened alertness, and a feeling of being invincible. When left untreated, crystal meth abuse and addiction can lead to significant mental and physical health issues. The first step to recovery from crystal meth addiction is crystal meth detox in Nashville, TN.
What is Crystal Meth Detox?
Crystal meth detox is the process of returning the body and mind to a drug-free state. Drugs like crystal meth create a physical dependency over long-term use. When use is stopped, the body and mind might struggle to function without meth in the system.
Methamphetamines, like crystal meth, flood the brain’s chemical reward system with the neurotransmitters noradrenaline and dopamine. These brain chemicals impact the brain in various ways:
- Noradrenaline activates the body’s fight-or-flight response system, causing someone to feel alert, focused, and energized.
- Dopamine causes feelings of pleasure when engaging in activities like eating, exercising, and having sex.
Crystal meth hijacks these chemicals to release in ways that a person cannot experience pleasure without the drug. These chemicals become depleted when using meth, leading to a “crash” after the initial high goes away. During this time, users may feel a lack of energy, become irritable, and may struggle to focus and feel “normal” without using crystal meth. As a result, users might use crystal meth more frequently to avoid these unpleasant experiences. Individuals may feel they need more crystal meth to deal with the after-effects of the drug. Thus, the cycle of addiction begins.
After long-term crystal meth abuse, users struggle to experience pleasure or feel any excitement without the drug. Detox helps people regain these feelings without using crystal meth. They may experience crystal meth withdrawal that feels like an emotional or mental downward spiral. However, these unpleasant crystal meth withdrawal symptoms are temporary, as the brain begins to heal during the detox process.
What Are Crystal Meth Withdrawal Symptoms?
As individuals begin purging their system of crystal meth, their bodies and minds will go through withdrawal from the drug. They might have intense cravings throughout the detox process.
Symptoms of crystal meth withdrawal include:
- Anxiety and depression
- Extreme tiredness
- Low energy levels
- Lack of motivation
- Increased appetite
- Agitation and irritability
- Difficulty sleeping
- Trouble thinking clearly
- Paranoid thinking
- Hallucinations
- Suicidal thoughts
Since crystal meth is a stimulant, they might sleep for long periods of time or even a full day or more during detox. Also, since methamphetamine suppresses the appetite, they will need healthy, nourishing meals with plenty of water to replenish their system. Due to unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, there is a high risk of relapse during detox.
Most of these withdrawal symptoms will lessen in intensity within a few days. Eventually, tapering off after one to two weeks after crystal meth detox. Physical withdrawal symptoms tend to go away first, while psychological symptoms might linger for months afterward. Psychological symptoms of withdrawal might linger due to an underlying mental health disorder that was masked by crystal meth use. Individuals might have been self-medicating to cope with depression or anxiety, and without meth in their system, these psychological symptoms will return.
Brentwood Springs Detox provides effective crystal meth detox in Nashville, TN with around-the-clock care and support during this critical step of recovery.
Your journey toward healing begins today.
Brentwood Springs Detox is a leading drug and alcohol addiction treatment services. If you or a loved one are in need of professional care to address a substance use disorder, reach out to us right now at (615) 208-6264 to speak with us.
What Treatments Help Crystal Meth Withdrawal Symptoms?
Treatments that can help people deal with short and long-term crystal meth withdrawal symptoms include:
- Medical care to monitor physical symptoms
- Individual and group therapy
- Peer support
- Holistic approaches that focus on your whole health, like:
- Physical exercise
- Nutritional counseling
- Breathwork and meditation
- Relaxation techniques
Currently, there are no FDA-approved medications for use with crystal meth withdrawal and other stimulants. However, the treatment team might prescribe psychiatric drugs to ease mental health symptoms. Some medications include:
- Benzodiazepines (or “Benzos”) like Xanax, Valium, Ativan, and Klonopin help you manage excessive anxiety or severe depression during detox and ongoing treatment. Benzos are also addictive. Individuals might take these medications in the short term, and gradually taper off as their mental health symptoms improve.
- Clonidine helps to lower blood pressure to minimize agitation and anxiety. If someone feels on edge or agitated during detox, this medication can help them relax.
- Hydroxyzine treats withdrawal symptoms like anxiety and nervousness. This medication may be used as needed when symptoms feel overwhelming.
- Sleeping aids can help those who experience insomnia during crystal meth detox.
You might also experience withdrawal symptoms from other substances if you use other drugs along with meth. Professional medical detox services for meth and other substances are crucial to your safety during withdrawal. The goal of detox is to help you withdraw from substances safely before you begin drug treatment. Without crystal meth detox, these symptoms could interrupt the recovery process.
What Are the Long-Term Effects of Crystal Meth Addiction?
Crystal meth addiction is dangerous and puts someone’s overall health at risk. They might have long-term problems related to the drug itself and the method of use.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the long-term effects of crystal meth addiction include:
- Symptoms of psychosis:
- Paranoia
- Hallucinations
- Delusions
- Increased risk of contracting HIV and Hepatitis C
- Risky behaviors, like unsafe sex and recklessness
- Violent behaviors
- Extreme and unhealthy weight loss
- Impaired emotional regulation and thinking abilities
- High blood pressure
- Skin lesions or sores
- Premature aging
- Risk of stroke
- Irregular heartbeat
- Dental decay and oral health problems from smoking crystal meth:
- Tooth loss
- Cavities
- Stained and blackened teeth
- Gum disease
The Importance of Detox for Crystal Meth Withdrawal
Detoxing from crystal meth is an incredibly important step in the recovery process. The withdrawal process can be extremely uncomfortable and unpleasant. Additionally, it can even present serious health risks if not managed properly. Brentwood Springs Detox programs are medically supervised and designed to help individuals safely and comfortably withdraw from drugs and alcohol.
The crystal meth withdrawal process involves physical and psychological symptoms. Detoxing in a professional setting ensures that these symptoms are monitored and managed by medical professionals. Addiction specialists are equipped to provide individualized care and treatments to counter them. This helps ensure that those undergoing detox have access to the medications and therapies they need to manage their symptoms throughout the process.
Detoxing from crystal meth is also important for mitigating the psychological effects of addiction as well as helping individuals overcome cravings for the drug. During this period of abstinence, former users can begin to repair their physical health as well as their mental and emotional well-being. Professional detox programs incorporate counseling sessions with a trained therapist or counselor as part of the overall treatment plan. These sessions are beneficial for providing support to those struggling with addiction-related guilt or shame. Also, aiding in relapse prevention skills such as identifying triggers that could lead to substance abuse in the future.
In summary, crystal meth detox is an essential step in recovering from addiction. It provides an opportunity for individuals to safely withdraw from crystal meth while being monitored by medical professionals. Also, it facilitates physical healing while allowing individuals to address any psychological components of their addiction through therapy or counseling sessions. For those looking for help with meth detox in Nashville, TN, Brentwood Springs Detox offers comprehensive treatment plans tailored specifically to each individual’s needs.
Begin Crystal Meth Detox in Nashville, TN
Crystal meth is a highly addictive drug that causes significant long-term physical and mental health problems. Brentwood Springs Detox provides safe and effective addiction treatment in a safe and comfortable environment. We’re here to help you overcome your addiction to lead a happy and fulfilling life without drugs or alcohol. We accept UHC insurance to help with costs. Our crystal meth detox in Nashville, TN helps clients take that first step toward healing. You don’t have to face detox alone.
Contact us today for more information about our programs.
