Holistic Healing: A Guide To Meth Detox

Meth or methamphetamine is a highly potent and addictive stimulant drug. In some countries, such as Australia, meth is highly restricted, and its use in medical scenarios is tightly controlled, and it is classified as a Schedule 8 drug in the country.

Despite these controls, meth use is still somewhat prevalent, with hundreds of thousands of people using the drug, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

It needs to be said that not everyone who uses meth will become addicted to the substance. That said, many meth users do find themselves entirely dependent on the drug and suffering adverse consequences of their drug use.

Now, there are ways that a person can recover from drug addiction, but the first step in the recovery process is an incredibly difficult one. But at Sivana Bali, our treatment centre, nestled in a tropical paradise, will help get you through the withdrawal process.

Understanding the Meth Detox Process

The detox process is the first part of addiction treatment that comes after a person admits that they have an addiction and is assessed by a care team. Detox is the process by which a person purges their body of all illicit substances.

This phase is a necessary part of meth addiction treatment. Still, it can be uncomfortable due to the possibility of withdrawal symptoms, which can vary in intensity depending on the severity of a person’s meth addiction.

Meth Withdrawal Symptoms and Timeline

Meth withdrawal comes in phases. Here’s an overview of what to expect during these phrases:

Crash

This phase of methamphetamine withdrawal is the initial crash, as withdrawal symptoms may appear 24 hours after the last use of meth.  During this phase, common symptoms of meth withdrawal can include intense cravings for meth, anxiety, depression, irritability,  and intense fatigue, which is often referred to as a ‘crash.’

Acute Phase

During the next 3 to 5 days after use, a person may have psychological symptoms such as mood swings, anxiety, depression, irritability, and paranoia. They may also feel physical symptoms such as an increased appetite, sleep disturbances, and muscle pains or stiffness.

Cognitive impairments such as confusion, difficulty focusing, and memory problems are also possible. The acute phase of withdrawal is often when the cravings are most intense.

Protracted Withdrawal

While most withdrawal symptoms begin to subside after about a week or so, some symptoms, such as emotional instability, mild depression, occasional cravings, and lingering anxiety, may keep going for months afterwards.

Methods of Managing Crystal Meth Detox

While detox can be uncomfortable, there are a few ways to manage it. Some of the ways to support a person through detox include:

Medical Supervision

One of the most important things to have when going through detox is to have medical supervision. If a person decides to detox at a treatment centre, then the team can intervene and provide support.

If a person chooses outpatient detox and tapers off their meth use until it gets to zero, then regularly checking in with a healthcare provider can adjust a person’s treatment if needed.

Medical detox becomes even more necessary when a person also struggles with co-occurring disorders.

Therapy and Support Groups

Psychological support can be crucial to help manage some of the mental symptoms of detoxing from meth. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can be an essential part of helping a person with their behaviour regarding drug use.

Support groups can be a source of support for people who are going through similar struggles.

Emotional Support

Speaking of support, having a strong support network can be instrumental in helping someone get through detox and through treatment in general. This is why programmes for families are so important in treating crystal meth addiction, as they help families become more educated on the nature of addiction and how to best support someone in recovery.

Holistic Approaches

Holistic approaches can be instrumental in helping people get through detox. Mindfulness practices can help someone manage their cravings without acting on them. They can also help a person manage other withdrawal symptoms, such as anxiety and depression.

Some programmes also teach relaxation techniques, which can manage anxiety and help people fall asleep more easily.

Medication

Speaking of anxiety and depression, a person in withdrawal may be prescribed the appropriate medication to help manage these conditions. In cases wherein sleep is severely impacted, a person may be prescribed sleep aids to help them establish normal sleep patterns.

What Happens After Meth Detox?

A detox programme is not a standalone cure for meth addiction. It is simply the first phase of a larger treatment programme. After a patient finishes their detox, they’ll undergo additional treatment options to address their addiction to meth.

These programmes typically involve inpatient treatment, when a person checks into a specialised facility for 28 days or longer, depending on their needs. While in residential treatment, they will receive intensive treatment for meth addiction and continuous monitoring.

After inpatient care, some people can enrol in aftercare programmes to help keep them from relapsing. They may also join a sober living programme to help practise living a sober life.

Another option that some people can opt for, particularly for people with mild to moderate addictions, is outpatient treatment. Instead of checking into an inpatient treatment facility, a person can schedule their treatment around their day-to-day life, allowing them the flexibility of getting the care they need without disrupting their lives.

Detox from Crystal Meth at Sivana Bali

The first step in any journey is the most important one. But it can be a difficult one to take. Detoxification is not the first step in recovering from addiction. Often, the first step is that there is a problem at all. This can be one of the hardest things that a person can do, as many will lie to themselves about the severity of their drug use.

That said, detoxing from drugs is not easy. The process can be mentally and physically draining. But it is a vital step in recovery. At Sivana Bali, detoxing from drugs is not just a physical or mental process. We also see it as a person’s spiritual and emotional rejuvenation.