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Methamphetamine is a stimulant; a type of psychoactive substance that allows a person to stay awake and perform continuous activities without the urge to sleep.
Methamphetamine is an addictive and the second-highest abused drug, with effects lasting longer than cocaine. Methamphetamine is inexpensive and easy to make with locally resourced ingredients.
Methamphetamine is listed as a Schedule II controlled substance by the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA); some of its common street names are meth, crystal, rocket fuel, garbage, cream, crank, ice, white cross, chalk, no stop, and crystal meth.
This article will provide a detailed overview of methamphetamine detoxification and how to break down the abuse cycle.
What is Methamphetamine Detoxification
Methamphetamine can be consumed via injection, oral intake, smoking, or inhalation. After consumption, the effect has a rapid onset, followed by a high that can last as long as 12 hours.
The first step in recovering from meth dependency is medical detoxification. Medical detox is the process of clearing the body of the substance.
Anxiety and suicidal behavior displayed by self-destructive habits can make the detoxification pathway of methamphetamine challenging, thus medical support becomes necessary.
Methamphetamine Detoxification Protocol
A complete methamphetamine rehabilitation can last for several weeks and is influenced by factors such as the duration and quantity of meth in the system. Intense drug cravings begin to fade by the second week of abstinence and may persist until the 5th week.
Methamphetamine detoxification protocols can be rigorous on the body and mind, but focusing on a healthy lifestyle can serve as motivation.
Indications for the Procedure
Methamphetamine is extremely psychoactive and challenging to get rid of without medical support.
People addicted to meth will avoid treatment because of feelings of failure or the fear of the detox process (many addicts feel the detox will be uncomfortable, difficulty, or even deadly.)
Adverse effects of a sudden decline in use may include the risk of psychosis and coronary heart disease. A qualified mental health specialist will evaluate methamphetamine use dependency and offer treatment options.
Contraindications
Rapid and Ultra-rapid Methamphetamine Detoxification Techniques
Drug users are given general anesthesia to reduce the risk of seizures and serious complications, and are then forced to withdraw within hours. Without anesthesia, this process can cause life-threatening convulsions and withdrawal symptoms with severe discomfort; with anesthesia, the patient is unaware of the process.
Getting over an addiction is a lifelong process. Speeding up the first part of recovery may help you in the short term, but likely not in the long term.
Both types of detoxifications follow the same principle of forced withdrawal of a drug or use of an agonist substance to speed up within a few hours. This process can only be done in a medical facility with strong medical support.
Preparing the Patient for Methamphetamine Detoxification
A methamphetamine-dependent person detoxing from meth needs to prevent dehydration by increasing fluid intake. Water and electrolytes (given as intravenous fluid) provide nutrients to the body and eliminate waste from the body. Improved fluid intake also dissolves methamphetamine and other substances so they can be excreted via urination or sweating.
Muscle relaxants are administered to help with stress and/or anxiety management. If a patient deals with restlessness and sleep problems, they are provided with appropriate medications.
Is it Safe to Detox at Home
Cleansing away from home is vital to get rid of surroundings that have been the usage of meth; to help keep the individual away from their triggers.
Methamphetamine detox poses an increased risk when done at home if the patient experiences intense depression or anxiety; the patient may deal with suicidal ideations. At home, the patient might consider drinking lots of water to try to flush meth out of the body system; however, consuming a lot of water in a short time could be detrimental to their health. In the absence of electrolytes, excess water can enter the cells, including those of the brain, and cause them to swell. This may lead to coma and death if no intervention is provided.
Trained professionals who recognize suicidal thoughts and behavior can help the patient in a detox facility.
Methamphetamine Detox Time
Methamphetamine detox eliminates meth from the body in a natural way within 20-25 hours, based on the half-life of the methamphetamine; five half-lives are required to remove meth from the body.
Methamphetamine Detoxification Symptoms
The most common withdrawal symptoms are:
The extent to which an individual abuses methamphetamine plays a major role in the course of detoxification and pullout. The more chronic or severe the abuse, the more uncomfortable the user may feel. Users with a higher tolerance may experience a more intense withdrawal episode.
Benefits of Rapid Methamphetamine Detox
During this time, the user does not feel the symptoms of withdrawal, which is generally accused of drug relapse. While under anesthesia, the patient does not feel the discomfort of the detoxification process.
Rapid meth detox can be an effective and efficient method as detox is accelerated by the administration of various drugs to aid toxin removal from the body.
Addiction Treatment After the Detox Process
Recovery can be quite challenging during the first few months, as a drug user who has completed the treatment frequently faces triggers to abuse methamphetamine. They may be tempted to return to old neighborhoods where they used meth.
People in recovery may still experience the effects of previous meth abuse. Depression can affect a person's thinking, feeling, and coping with daily activities. A combination of treatment and medication can help improve mood and reduce depressive thoughts. Overcoming the chronic problem caused by meth abuse is possible, requiring time and commitment.
Methamphetamine addiction permanently alters brain function. This means that those recovering from methamphetamine dependence may have problems learning and controlling their impulses. A brain scan reveals that a lower level of dopamine in the brain caused by the discontinued use of methamphetamine results in significant improvement in brain function after fourteen months of abstinence.
The Cost of a Methamphetamine Detox
An outpatient whose treatment lasts longer will cost more than one for a shorter duration. The cost of inpatient treatment includes expenses such as psychological counseling, diet, and boarding. Higher-end facilities are more expensive due to spa-like amenities such as massage and fitness rooms. Outpatient rehabilitation, on the other hand, is often cheaper. The primary cost of treatment in an outpatient program usually covers the cost of therapists and necessary medication.
Doctors
At VipVorobjev Clinic, we have a highly trained, experienced, and qualified team of mental health specialists dedicated to providing exceptional scientific support and care to our patients. Our specialists have helped hundreds of drug-dependent persons get back to their healthy lifestyles. A high-standard methamphetamine addiction treatment strategy is guaranteed in our facility. Meet our medical experts who will transform you into another new world of sobriety:
Patents and Certificates
The best acute care treatment of methamphetamine patients at VipVorobjev Clinic helps us stand out among other facilities. We are DAACC (Drug, Alcohol, and Addiction Counselor Certified). Our certified and registered addiction specialists will help you begin a new life without addiction.
