Maybe you’ve reached a breaking point and you’re ready to put your drug abuse behind you but you need some help. You’ve come to the right place. Briarwood Detox Center offers personalized medically assisted detox for several substance use disorders, including methamphetamine addiction.

About Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine (or meth) is a synthetic, man-made stimulant drug that is very addictive. It is usually made in the form of a white powder or pill. Crystal meth is another form of the drug that looks like glass chunks or shiny, bluish-white rocks. Slang names for methamphetamine include:

• Ice
• Meth
• Crystal
• Chalk
• Speed

When using methamphetamine, individuals will either inhale (smoke), swallow a pill, snort the powder, or inject the powder after dissolving it in water or alcohol.

When a person uses methamphetamine, their brain is flooded with dopamine so they experience a powerful rush of euphoria. This “high” wears off quickly but it makes the drug extremely addictive. After the initial euphoria wears off, users typically feel angry, afraid, edgy, or overly excited and with continued use over time, they may experience extremely high body temperatures, severe itching, dental problems, extreme weight loss, and cognitive and emotional problems.

Long-term methamphetamine abuse may change the brain permanently, affecting a person’s ability to experience pleasure from natural things like eating a good meal or spending quality time with a loved one.

Do I Need Methamphetamine Detox?

While a full detox program is not necessary for methamphetamine, we do recommend a period of safe medical observation in a clinical environment while you are discontinuing use. If you are addicted to methamphetamine and have developed a dependence on the drug, you may need to be monitored during withdrawal to ensure your safety.

How to Detox From Meth

The best way to detox from meth is with a professional detox program. The dopamine levels in the brain drop dramatically when you stop using methamphetamine. As a result, the meth detox process can be a very lonely time, filled with melancholy thoughts and depressive tendencies. This leads many people right back into drug abuse.

If you are addicted to methamphetamine you may also experience severe mood imbalances during withdrawal. Medical observation in our facility provides additional support to help you cope with the psychological issues you experience when you stop using meth.

Most often, our clients detoxing from methamphetamine are also extremely exhausted. Our caring medical staff will treat any uncomfortable symptoms that are keeping you awake to help you get the rest you need to recover.

How Long Does Meth Stay in Your System?

How long meth stays in your system depends on several different factors, such as:

• The type of meth you used
• Your age
• The amount of meth you used
• Your age
• Your overall health

Depending on the type of drug test being used, methamphetamine may be detectable for the following duration of time in your urine, blood, saliva, and hair.

How Long Does Meth Stay in Your System?
Urine	Detectable 3-5 days after use
Blood	Detectable 1-3 days after use
Saliva	Detectable 1-4 days after use
Hair	Detectable about 90 days after use

Source: https://www.health-street.net/blog-drug-testing/how-long-does-meth-stay-in-your-system/

→ More on how long it takes to get over meth.

What Are Methamphetamine Withdrawal Symptoms?

Unlike the withdrawal period during alcohol and opioid drug detox, methamphetamine withdrawal symptoms are primarily psychological, as opposed to physical. These may include:

• Depression
• Suicidal thoughts
• Self-injury
• Feelings of hopelessness
• Anxiety
• Psychosis

You may also experience some of these physical symptoms during methamphetamine withdrawal:

• Exhaustion
• Increased appetite
• Jitteriness
• Strong cravings
• Headaches
• Joint pain
• Red, itchy eyes
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Irregular heartbeat
• Sleep problems
• Poor concentration and memory

How Does Briarwood Detox Manage Withdrawal Symptoms?

Although there is not a detox protocol for methamphetamine, our medical team will provide around-the-clock monitoring during a period of safe medical observation to manage uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms and ensure your safety throughout the withdrawal process. Your multidisciplinary treatment team will work together to address your physical and emotional needs throughout withdrawal and administer medication when necessary to make sure you are comfortable at all times. Although you may be tempted to detox at home, we highly recommend you do not attempt it. Medically assisted methamphetamine detox is the safest and most comfortable way to get through meth withdrawal.

What Is The Methamphetamine Withdrawal Timeline?

1-3 days after the last dose:	You will most likely feel extremely exhausted, anxious, and paranoid. More extreme symptoms may include suicidal thoughts and hallucinations.
4-7 days after the last dose:	You may struggle with very strong cravings, feel hopeless, and suffer from aches, pains, and headaches. You may also have difficulty concentrating and may experience some weight gain.
8-14 days after the last dose:	Most of your withdrawal symptoms will have subsided, although you may still feel slightly depressed, have trouble sleeping, or experience sudden mood swings. Some of these symptoms may last for a few weeks.

What to Expect When Going Through Meth Detox

Comprehensive Assessment

On your first day of detox, you’ll meet your resident advocate and detox counselor before going on a tour of our facility. Next, you’ll review and sign your intake documents. These forms are written in a clear, easy-to-read manner, but our staff will also be there to review them with you and answer any questions you have while filling them out. During your first hour at Briarwood, you’ll meet with our medical staff for a personal assessment. After this, a period of safe medical observation will begin.

Safe Medical Observation

Our nurses are on-site at Briarwood 24/7 to monitor your vitals and heart rate, treat any symptoms and answer any questions you have. We are available around-the-clock and will check on you every four hours to make sure you are comfortable and safe.

Individual and Group Counseling

You’ll also meet with your detox counselor for individual and group counseling to help you work through any psychological or physical issues that arise as you adjust to a new sober lifestyle. You may experience many changes and emotions during this time, but our caring and experienced therapeutic staff are here to help.

How Long Does It Take to Detox From Meth?

Most often, medical observation for methamphetamines requires that you stay at our facility for 24 to 72 hours, but that will vary from person to person. Our clinical and medical team will work together with you to determine the appropriate amount of time required for your stay.

Where to Detox From Methamphetamine?

Our medical methamphetamines detox facilities in Austin and Houston are safe and supportive places to begin your addiction recovery. The experienced and friendly staff at Briarwood will ensure that your meth detox experience is as comfortable as possible and that you are treated with the utmost care and respect. From the moment you enter either of our facilities, you’ll receive nothing less than the highest quality medical and therapeutic care available.

What is the Recommended Treatment Plan After Meth Detox?

During methamphetamine detox, our treatment staff will treat uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms and help you manage cravings with one-on-one counseling, support, and a positive sober environment.

After detox, relapse is always a risk, so it’s very important to continue your addiction treatment. 

Many people do this by enrolling in a rehab or sober living program after detox. 

• Meth inpatient rehab: During inpatient rehab, you will learn essential skills and make positive behavioral changes that will empower you to stay sober.
• Meth outpatient rehab: outpatient rehab offers flexible structured treatment in an outpatient setting that you’ll attend several times a week. Whether you enroll in in-person or online rehab, you’ll receive comprehensive, individualized treatment for meth addiction. We offer outpatient programs in Austin, Houston and Dallas.
• Sober living: After rehab, a sober living program can provide ongoing long-term support and peer recovery services. This will help you gradually assimilate back into society as a sober person and establish a stable support system.

Getting professional treatment after detox is an important part of maintaining your sobriety and our treatment team will provide professional recommendations for ongoing care after you complete detox.

Methamphetamine addiction will always be a part of your history, but it doesn’t have to define who you are and how you live now. If you’re ready to get your life back, the compassionate staff at Briarwood can help. Call today to get started.

Learn more about what comes after detox.