Meth is a psychostimulant responsible for about 34,022 deaths in the US. Most stimulant-related deaths happened due to meth in 2022. If you’re wondering how to get meth out of your system safely, the answer is medical detox. Medical detox is essential to avoid uncomfortable and risky withdrawal. While cold turkey is an option, it has several dangerous implications. In this article, we will discuss meth, its withdrawal, and safe interventions. Overdoses involving methamphetamine tripled from 2015 to 2019, which was already concerning. What’s worse is that the use of meth increased by 45% in 2021 as compared to 2019.
Detox, if not medically supervised, can cause health complications. ChoicePoint rehab center in Fairlawn, New Jersey, can help you or your loved ones in the detox process taken care by DEA-certified practitioners.
Table of Contents
Meth Is a Silent Killer
Meth is a synthetic psychostimulant and is usually attributed as a silent killer. Its use in the US is even surpassing cocaine, another dangerous stimulant. Meth may be snorted, injected, or smoked, or taken as a pill. Meth works by dangerously accelerating the bodily functions like:
- High breath levels
- Increased heart rate
- Increased blood pressure
Meth is also responsible for brain changes, which can result in:
- Paranoia
- Hallucinations
- Mood swings
- Violent behaviors
Many people assume that, unlike opioids, meth cannot kill you. In reality, meth DOES kill by slowly eating up your system.
Risks Associated With Meth
Some risks associated with prolonged meth use include:
- Irreversible brain damage
- Delusions and hallucinations
- Psychosis
- Suicide ideation
- Bad oral health
- Stroke
- Overdose
- Death
Did you know Meth is responsible for the development of schizophrenia. Moreover, people with meth use disorder may experience symptoms of psychosis for months and years.
Did you know Meth is responsible for the development of schizophrenia. Moreover, people with meth use disorder may experience symptoms of psychosis for months and years.
How To Get Meth Out of Your System? A Complete Guide
To flush out meth from your system, abstinence is key. However, suddenly stopping chronic meth use (going cold turkey) is not a good idea. This is because meth’s withdrawal is extremely severe.
Meth Medical Detox: Effective Way to Eliminate Meth Out of the System
Medical detox is a process in which a patient allows their body to eliminate all toxins like meth and other drugs under the supervision of a medical professional. The detox process is mostly abstinence from meth. Then why is medical detox necessary?
At-Home Detox |
Medical Detox |
| At-home detox usually refers to quitting meth cold turkey | Medically assisted detox can control any complications that may be life-threatening |
| Seizures, psychosis, dehydration, and other issues are not manageable at home | Medical detox allows individuals to get appropriate care |
| Patients, if alone, may not eat or drink properly | Nutritious meals may be offered during medical detox for overall health |
Goals of Detox
- Stabilize the patient, ensuring they are medically safe
- Prevent uncomfortable withdrawal
- Administering medications to ease withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, psychosis, and depression.
- Offer urgent care when and if necessary during meth withdrawal
- Provide a supportive environment to help prevent relapse
- Offering mental health support to patients experiencing difficult withdrawal
Meth Detox is the first process of the journey toward recovery. It not only prepares the body to receive other treatments but also
Benefits of Medical Interventions for Meth: Recent Stats
A 12-month legal-medical joint program executed in 2023 on meth users in Taiwan showed that the relapse rate among those who completed it was 37.8 %. However, the same study also suggested that
- The relapse rate was higher among those who did not undergo the medical program
- Psychological withdrawal was severe among those who did not complete the program
- The frequency of cravings was lower in those completing the interventions
Another study suggested that without proper rehabilitation, the rate of sobriety for meth users is only 5%.
Safe and Effective Ways to Speed Up Meth Detoxification
How to Quickly Get Meth Out of Your System?
Meth cannot be quickly taken out of the system. No external assistance can make the liver eliminate substances at a higher rate. There are many falsely advertised substances like detox drinks, but they do not remove toxins from the body.
You should not pay heed to anyone trying to sell you “quick fixes” because most drinks or chemical compounds are not FDA-regulated. The only way to get meth out of your system is via abstinence and allowing your body to detox on your own. This leads us to the question of what determines the length of detox.
How Long Is Meth Detox?
The longevity of meth detox depends on several factors. These factors include:
- Frequency of meth use
- Metabolism of the body
- Overall health
- Route of administering meth
- The amount of meth
If we are talking about the detection period of meth in the body, it can vary according to the drug tests.
- Meth is detectable in urine for up to a week in case of chronic meth use.
- Detection of meth in the blood is about 2 hours to 3 days after the last dose.
- Saliva can detect meth within half an hour to 72 hours after the last dose.
- Hair can detect meth for around 90 days from the last dose.
Meth detox varies heavily from person to person. It also depends on the withdrawal. Medical detox may keep going till the withdrawal symptoms are stabilized. So, it is highly individual and personalized.
FACT: Another variant of meth is named Super Meth, which is made from phenyl-2-propanone (phenylacetone (P2P), a precursor different from the one usually used.
FACT: Another variant of meth is named Super Meth, which is made from phenyl-2-propanone (phenylacetone (P2P), a precursor different from the one usually used.
Accessible Medically Assisted Detox in New Jersey Rehab Center
Addiction is different for everyone, which is why it is important to look for rehab centers that offer a wide range of treatments. Not every meth user will require a similar level of care. The need for variety is vital.
Many experts believe that not being medically supervised during meth detox is very harmful because of the psychological symptoms. Call 844.445.2565 or fill out this form to ensure you are not risking your health.
Detox and Therapy: A Two-in-One Treatment
Detox at ChoicePoint is insurance-covered. Another important aspect of detox is the therapy sessions that go along with it. This is done to keep the patient physically and mentally stabilized.
We Accept Most Insurance Programs
Learn More About Getting Meth Out of Your System
In recent decades, meth has become so popularized that people overlook how dangerous it can be. Some more info related to meth is discussed below.
How Long Does Meth Withdrawal Last?
Meth withdrawal may start within 24 hours and may last for weeks. The withdrawal symptoms may ease as detox persists. People who use large amounts for long periods will likely experience the symptoms for a very long time. Getting in touch with a healthcare provider is, therefore, very important.
Do Detox Drinks for Meth Work?
No, detox drinks do not work for any substance. This is because nothing can escalate the metabolism of the liver. Some medications may work to mask meth’s effects. However, you should talk to your provider for any suggestions.
What Are Common Meth Withdrawal Symptoms?
- Excessive sweating
- Delusions
- Mood swings
- Increase in body weight
- Intense cravings
- Anxiety
- Psychosis
What is Stimulant Intoxication?
Stimulant intoxication results from the excessive use of stimulants like meth and cocaine. Signs of stimulant intoxication include:
- Irritability
- Paranoia
- Disorientation
- Increased blood pressure
- Other neurological problems
What Is Meth Detox Like?
The initial phase of meth detox is difficult. It is where the symptoms of withdrawal are most difficult. This may be managed via medications. If emotional distress is a lot, patients may also need to undergo counseling. However, it is important to remember that the detox process differs for everyone.
How Does Meth Affect You?
Meth causes changes in the brain, mainly depleting certain areas responsible for providing pleasure. Some people with meth addiction report that it is difficult to feel happy after overcoming meth addiction. One of the long-term side effects of meth is the inability to experience pleasure even after giving up on meth. The brain takes some time to heal and function normally.
Sources
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2023, June 30). Drug Overdose Death Rates. National Institute on Drug Abuse; National Institutes of Health. https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/trends-statistics/overdose-death-rates
- Methamphetamine-involved overdose deaths nearly tripled between 2015 to 2019, NIH study finds. (2021, September 22). National Institutes of Health (NIH). https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/methamphetamine-involved-overdose-deaths-nearly-tripled-between-2015-2019-nih-study-finds
- https://nasadad.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Methamphetamine-2023.pdf
- Huang, M., Fang, S., Lin, C., Lin, T., Chang, H., Yang, T., & Chen, L. (2023). Risk factors for relapse among methamphetamine users receiving a joint legal–medical treatment program as a diversion intervention: A one-year follow-up study. Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment, 151, 208955. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.josat.2023.208955
- Campillo, R. (2022). My Experience and Recovery from Meth Addiction. Missouri Medicine, 119(6), 500. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9762226/
Medical Disclaimer:
ChoicePoint aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use disorder and mental health issues. Our team of licensed medical professionals research, edit and review the content before publishing. However, this information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For medical advice please consult your physicians or ChoicePoint's qualified staff.
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