After some time, a patient’s body will stabilize, and they can move on to the next stage of rehabilitation. Detoxification is a natural process by which the body rids itself of harmful substances. Methamphetamine detox takes about 20–25 hours, based on the half-life of the drug. Unfortunately, while medications like this exist for other drugs (opioid pain medications, for example), there are no FDA-approved prescriptions for stimulants like methamphetamine. The FHE Health team is committed to providing accurate information that adheres to the highest standards of writing. If one of our articles is marked with a ‘reviewed for accuracy and expertise’ badge, it indicates that one or more members of our team of doctors and clinicians have reviewed the article further to ensure accuracy.

• The longer that people use meth, the more likely they are to develop serious, long-lasting health problems.
• After detox, there are other addiction treatment options available such as residential (rehab) treatment and outpatient treatment.
• Keep in mind that your behavior while using meth, like not eating or drinking water, can make your withdrawal symptoms more severe.

Crystal meth is typically smoked, snorted or injected to provide a lasting high that makes the user feel invincible, upbeat, energetic and euphoric. The three main portions of withdrawal are the crash, cravings and recovery. Methamphetamine withdrawal is a slow, difficult, but enormously valuable process that may last several meth addiction days or weeks. For many, it is physiological symptoms — anhedonia and the resultant depression — that cause relapse as they seek relief from the emotional distress. The psychological dependence resulting from prolonged meth use is powerful, so the person in withdrawal will often experience an intense craving for the drug.

How Long Does It Take to Recover From the Long-Term Effects of Meth?

For instance, your heart rate may speed up, slow down, and then speed up again, because your body metabolizes each drug at different rates. These rapid changes can put a lot of strain on your body, to the point where you need emergency medical attention. However, drug tests can detect even tiny amounts of meth, so you’ll need to wait much longer before you can test negative on a drug screening.

If you feel comfortable, you can bring it up with a healthcare professional. Keep in mind that patient confidentiality laws will prevent them from reporting this information to law enforcement. The same 2011 study found that participants slept a lot in the first few days of not using meth and reported higher post-sleep refreshment. Yet the overall quality of sleep, measured by the length of time it takes you to fall asleep and the number of times you wake up, remained low even after 3 weeks had passed. Here’s a closer look at meth withdrawal, including how long it lasts and how to manage it.

Methamphetamine Withdrawal Happens in a 21- to 24-Day Time Period

Aortic dissection is a tear in a large artery next to the heart. Meth causes euphoria by changing the balance of chemicals in the brain that regulate mood. These chemicals, including dopamine, affect how the brain functions. While we are unable to respond to your feedback directly, we’ll use this information to improve our online help. Family therapy, counseling, and educational programs can all help to promote a lasting recovery as well. When the drug is completely out of your system, your doctor will help you prepare for treatment.

Another small 2011 study involving 13 participants found that depression symptoms largely resolved after 1 week, while anxiety and other symptoms decreased within 2 weeks. Shame and stigma can also have a negative effect on the post-meth experience for some people, notes Vivian Veronica, a methamphetamine specialist. Veronica works with Project Neon, a harm reduction organization. While comedowns and crashes are technically part of withdrawal, people often use these terms to describe the severity of symptoms (with a comedown being the least severe and withdrawal being the most severe).