A Meth Withdrawal Symptom Timeline??

STAGE ONE

Days 0 to 15

According to different sources, the withdrawal stage of meth from days 0 to 15 can involve various symptoms that can be acute or post-acute. Acute symptoms are those that appear shortly after the last use and peak within 24 hours. Post-acute symptoms are those that persist for longer periods of time and tend to be less severe. According to Thomas (2022), the following symptoms can occur:

Anxiety

Fatigue

Irritability

Lack of energy

Weight gain

Dehydration

Chills

Insomnia followed by hypersomnia (sleeping too much)

Dysphoria (low mood) could progress to clinical depression and suicidal thoughts

The inability to think clearly

Anhedonia (loss of ability to feel pleasure)

Withdrawing from others

Drug cravings

Honeymoon Phase

Days 16 to 45

The honeymoon stage of meth withdrawal is the second phase of recovery, which usually occurs from days 16 to 45 after quitting meth. However, this stage can also be risky, as some people may falsely believe that their meth problem has ended and that they no longer need treatment or support (Meth Recovery, 2018).

The Wall

Days 46 to 120 of meth withdrawal are known as the wall stage, which is the third phase of recovery.

During this stage, people may experience a decline in their mood and motivation, as well as an increase in their cravings and difficulty. They may find little pleasure in life and struggle with low energy, poor concentration, irritability, and insomnia. This stage can be very challenging and make people vulnerable to relapse, as they may be tempted to use meth again to escape their negative feelings or to cope with stress. However, this stage is also temporary and will eventually pass, as the brain continues to heal and adjust to the absence of meth (SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT of METHAMPHETAMINE ADDICTION, n.d.).

Adjustment Stage

The adjustment stage of meth withdrawal is the fourth phase of recovery, which usually occurs from days 121 to 180 after quitting meth.

During this stage, the risk of relapse decreases, as the brain continues to heal and the cravings become less frequent and intense. People also feel more accomplished and optimistic about their recovery and their future. However, this stage can also present some challenges, as people may face stress, conflict, or temptation in their daily lives. They may also struggle with some residual symptoms, such as mood swings, fatigue, or insomnia (Falconberry, 2016). They may need to deal with the consequences of their past meth use, such as legal, financial, or health issues.

Resolution Stage

During this stage, people have successfully overcome the most difficult challenges of meth withdrawal and recovery. They have learned new skills to sustain their sobriety, such as coping with triggers, managing cravings, and preventing relapse.

However, this stage does not mean that the recovery process is over or that the risk of relapse is gone. People may still face stress, conflict, or temptation in their daily lives that could challenge their sobriety.