Methamphetamine is an extremely potent and illicit stimulant drug that is highly addictive. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “Among people aged 12 or older in 2020, 0.9% (or about 2.6 million people) reported using methamphetamine in the past 12 months.”[1]
Meth is considered to be the most powerful stimulant drug because more of the substance enters your brain when compared to other stimulants. Because of the potency, when you abuse methamphetamine you can develop an addiction rather quickly. And, when you become addicted to meth, you will experience symptoms of withdrawal upon discontinuing the drug.
If you are addicted to methamphetamine and struggle with getting sober, attending a medical detox program can help. Meth detox centers in New Jersey can provide you with medications and treatments to soothe your symptoms of withdrawal and give you a better chance at maintaining long-term sobriety.
What are the Symptoms of Meth Withdrawal?
Meth withdrawal is not considered life-threatening like alcohol or benzodiazepine withdrawal. However, the psychological symptoms can become so severe that it causes you to relapse to experience relief.
The symptoms of meth withdrawal include:
- Cravings to use meth
- Fatigue
- Intense depression and suicidal thoughts
- Nausea and vomiting
- Trouble sleeping
- Disrupted eating patterns
- Hyperventilation
- Irregular heartbeat
- Cognitive and memory issues
- Dehydration
- Headaches
- Extreme anxiety
- Hallucinations
- Paranoia
- Delusions
Even though meth withdrawal is generally not life-threatening, it is still important to receive professional help. Some of the symptoms could lead to life-threatening situations when they are left untreated.
For example, vomiting can lead to worsened dehydration, and without IV fluids, the symptoms of dehydration could become fatal. You could also experience severe depression and suicidal thoughts that require professional psychological help. Without the resources provided by a drug and alcohol detox center, situations like these could become deadly.
How is Meth Withdrawal Managed During Detox in New Jersey?
Upon arriving at a New Jersey drug and alcohol detox center, you will undergo an initial assessment to determine your specific needs. This helps medical staff get a clear picture of what treatments and medications will be helpful to your recovery from methamphetamine withdrawal and addiction.
Once the assessment is completed, you will begin treatment. The following outlines what you can expect when you attend a meth detox program in New Jersey:
Medical Stabilization
When you are detoxing from an opioid or alcohol, there are FDA-approved tapering medications that can be given to you to lessen your symptoms of withdrawal and prevent cravings. While there isn’t one medication that treats the effects of methamphetamine withdrawal, there are some medications that can directly target certain symptoms. In other words, you may be prescribed a variety of medications to address the symptoms you are currently experiencing.
First, there is a non-stimulant medication called modafinil that can decrease symptoms of insomnia, cognitive impairments, and cravings for meth. According to the National Library of Medicine, “Because of its weak stimulant properties, modafinil has been cited as a putative treatment to decrease stimulant drug-seeking and craving.”[2]
In addition to modafinil, other medications may be used to soothe your symptoms and keep you stable throughout the detoxification process, including:[2]
- Bupropion – helps regulate levels of dopamine in the brain
- Fluoxetine – manages symptoms of anxiety and depression
- Methylphenidate – regulates dopamine levels in the brain and lessens cravings for meth
Vitals Monitoring
During the withdrawal process, you may experience high blood pressure or other health complications that affect your vital signs. This is another reason it is so important to detox under medical supervision. Nurses and medical staff at New Jersey meth detox centers will monitor your vital signs to ensure you are safe and stable.
Because irregular heartbeat is a symptom of meth withdrawal, monitoring your pulse rate and blood pressure is an extremely important aspect of detox. Nurses will be able to catch any abnormalities early on, allowing for prompt treatment. Without this, you could experience a wide range of complications and even life-threatening health emergencies.
Mental Health Support
Lastly, and arguably most importantly, you will have 24/7 access to professional mental health support throughout the entirety of your detox program.
Oftentimes, the psychological symptoms of meth withdrawal are the most severe. You could experience symptoms like delusions, paranoia, severe anxiety, extreme depression, suicidal thoughts, and even hallucinations. Having a professional psychologist on-site at all times will allow you to receive the support you need.
In addition to emergency mental health support, you will have access to individual therapy, group counseling, 12-step meetings, and peer support. This can provide you with a solid foundation of recovery that you can carry on into other forms of meth addiction treatment, like inpatient and outpatient programs.
Find a Meth Detox Center in New Jersey Today
If you or a loved one suffer from methamphetamine addiction, help is available. Meth addiction can cause an array of severe psychological and physical effects, making it very difficult for you to function in your daily life. The first step toward recovery is detoxification.
Moving Mountains Recovery has close relationships with trusted detox facilities in New Jersey and across the country. When medical detoxification is recommended, we can help you get admitted to the best facility for your needs. Following the completion of detox, we can also help make the transition to our outpatient treatment programs simple and easy.
Contact us today to get started.
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