Meth (methamphetamine) is a powerfully addictive stimulant of the CNS (central nervous system) that can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms when someone stops using it. While withdrawal itself is not generally life-threatening, the effects can be aggravating and often lead to dangerous behaviors, including relapse and self-harm. Professional detoxification programs provide medical support, emotional care, and structured ongoing treatment to help people move from meth dependence to drug-free living.
This page explores what’s involved with meth withdrawal, from a typical timeline to the most common symptoms. You can also discover how to get effective, science-backed treatment to help you move beyond stimulant use disorder.
What is Meth Withdrawal?
Meth withdrawal occurs when someone who has been using methamphetamine regularly stops taking the drug. The brain and body adapt to meth’s effects and struggle to function normally without it. This provokes a crash, followed by physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms that can linger for weeks, sometimes months.
Many people discontinuing meth use encounter intense cravings and debilitating emotional distress, which makes quitting without professional intervention feel challenging and potentially unmanageable. Supervised detox programs can provide medical support, ease discomfort, and reduce the risk of relapse derailing recovery.
Meth Withdrawal Symptoms
The symptoms of meth withdrawal vary according to how long a person has been using the drug, how much they use, and whether they use other addictive substances in combination with methamphetamine. While withdrawal effects impact everyone differently, some common symptoms present.
Physical symptoms of meth withdrawal include:
- Increased appetite
- Extreme fatigue
- Excessive sweating
- Muscle aches
- Headaches
- Dehydration
- Tremors
- Nausea
Psychological symptoms of meth withdrawal include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Cravings for meth
- Hallucinations
- Paranoia
- Mood swings
- Suicidal thoughts
The mental health effects of meth withdrawal can be disruptive. Depression, in particular, can linger for months after someone stops using the drug. Long-term support and ongoing treatment can help ease the transition from dependence and addiction to sustained recovery from stimulant abuse.
Meth Withdrawal Timeline
The duration and presentation of meth withdrawal can depend on how long a person abused the drug, the extent of abuse, and their general physical and mental health. While withdrawal follows a general pattern, the experience varies from person to person.
Crash phase: first 48 hours
- Sharp decline in energy
- Extreme fatigue
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Increased appetite
- Stomach cramps
- Nausea
Peak withdrawal symptoms: days 3 to 10
- Severe mood swings
- Intense meth cravings
- Excessive sleep or difficulty sleeping
- Hallucinations
- Paranoia
- Body discomfort
- Muscle aches
Symptoms begin to fade: days 11 to 20
- Depression and anxiety
- Intermittent cravings
- Energy levels improve
Protracted withdrawal: 1 to 3 months
- Continuing depression
- Persistent sleep disturbances
- Occasional mood swings
- Sporadic cravings
The bulk of the physical symptoms of meth withdrawal fade after the first few weeks, but psychological complications like depression can last much longer. Ongoing support and therapy help people move from detox to ongoing recovery from stimulant addiction.
Why is Detox Necessary for Meth Withdrawal?
Meth withdrawal can be demanding to undergo alone. Many people find the associated cravings and emotional distress so great that they relapse. A professional detox program delivers benefits that include:
- Medical supervision to manage symptoms and mitigate adverse outcomes
- Emotional support for mood swings, depression, and anxiety
- A safe environment away from triggers and access to methamphetamine
- Medications to ease withdrawal symptoms
What Happens During Meth Detox?
A structured meth detox program usually unfolds similarly over three core stages.
1) Evaluation
Before detox begins, a medical team assesses the person’s physical and mental health. This typically includes:
- A drug screening to check meth levels in the body
- A review of medical history and co-occurring disorders
- A discussion about previous substance use and withdrawal experiences
This assessment enables medical professionals to create a customized treatment plan addressing individual needs and recovery goals.
2) Stabilization
The most severe withdrawal symptoms of methamphetamine manifest during the first week of detox. During this phase, medical professionals provide:
- Medications to help counter insomnia, depression, or anxiety
- Fluids and nutrition to prevent malnutrition and dehydration
- Emotional support to help with mood swings and distress
3) Transition to long-term treatment
Detox is only the first step in recovery. After withdrawal, inpatient or outpatient rehab programs provide therapy, coping techniques, and relapse prevention tools to encourage ongoing abstinence.
Can Medication Help with Meth Withdrawal?
There are currently no FDA-approved medications specifically designed for meth withdrawal, although the following options may help ease symptoms:
- Bupropion: An antidepressant that might reduce cravings and mitigate depression.
- Modafinil: A mild stimulant that can help address fatigue and sleep disturbances.
- Fluoxetine: A medication that helps with anxiety and mood stabilization.
In the absence of approved medications, behavioral therapy remains the most effective treatment for meth withdrawal and addiction.
The Risk of Relapse After Meth Withdrawal
Relapse is one of the main challenges during and after meth withdrawal. Cravings for the drug can be overpowering, and the brain takes time to recover from stimulant abuse. Without professional oversight, many people return to using methamphetamine simply to stop the emotional pain of withdrawal.
Relapse can be particularly dangerous after a period of abstinence. Tolerance decreases during withdrawal, placing the person at heightened risk of overdose if they re-engage with methamphetamine.
Long-Term Recovery After Meth Detox
Long-term treatment after detox can reduce the risk of relapse and help people probe the causes driving their use of stimulants. Options include:
Inpatient rehab
- A structured, substance-free environment
- Intensive counseling and therapy
- Peer support
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
Outpatient treatment
- Continued therapy while living at home
- Flexibility to work and maintain daily commitments
- Support groups
- Relapse prevention strategies
Psychotherapy
- CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) helps change thought patterns and behaviors
- CM (contingency management) incentivizes positive behaviors and reinforces sobriety
- MI (motivational interviewing) helps people build motivation for change
Get Help Addressing Meth Addiction at Tree House Recovery
If you find yourself struggling with meth addiction, reach out to Tree House Recovery for immediate assistance, from detox to ongoing treatment.
We specialize in the outpatient treatment of meth addiction. This enables you to choose a program at the right level of intensity for your needs and treatment goals, attending therapy sessions around your everyday personal and professional commitments.
The unique presentation of all stimulant use disorders means you can expect a personalized treatment plan to reflect this. Although there are no FDA-approved medications to manage meth withdrawal or addiction, a combination of talk therapy and motivational therapy typically delivers positive outcomes. At Tree House, we supplement these therapies with holistic interventions to encourage whole-body recovery.
Begin your recovery right away by calling admissions at (855) 202-2138.
