Replies...
amom -
I hope you will stick around in this board and chat room. You might
see some bickering but most everyone here wants to help you and see
you succeed...just be patient when "the kids" start to argue (ok
now...don't get mad at my remark guys, it was in jest)
Seriously, you need help in your fight for recovery and these folks
here really do care. God bless.
tom -
Yvette, seems like your off to a great start, getting sober is a
wonderful thing.
Angie in cali -
Yvette ... thats great ... just remember stick with it no matter
what... bad days , good days ... boring days ... just no matter what
stick with it .... avoid your using friends ... I have been sober
almost 19 months ... so i know how hard it is ...But i gurantee you
it'll be the very best thing you could have ever done for yourself
..... email me if ya ever need someone to talk to ...
bugs -
Hi~~ Welcome to the board. My daughter is/was using meth. I'm not
really sure of her current condition, and I've collected some
information while I've visited here on the board, which I'm more than
happy to share with you. You may have to pick and choose what helps
and what doesn't since I have never actually used meth and am
definitely no expert, but here it is anyway...my thoughts are with
you...
GOOD SIGHTS FOR INFO
Basic facts about meth: http://www.acde.org/common/Meth.htm
SFJ's sight lots of good info: Including how a Meth addict feels and
thinks. http://sfjaye.freewebspace.com/favorite_links.html
Doug's sight for crystal recovery also has Go ask Alice that has lots
of answers to former questions about pregnancy and meth, bi-polar, to
speed bumps, and the smell of meth. http://www.crystalrecovery.com/
LOTS OF PEOPLE ASK WHAT ARE THE
WITHDRAWALS OF THIS DRUG. EVERYBODY IS DIFFERENT AND SOMETIMES
UNPREDICTABLE. IT IS NOT AN EXACT SCIENCE ON HOW THEY RECOVER BUT HERE
IS TWO LIST, AND PRETTY GOOD GUIDELINES WHAT TO EXPECT IN MOST PEOPLE.
Good Luck.
WITHDRAWS LIST 1
WEEK 1: Depending on how much the person had been doing up until
quitting time and how many nights they had been awake, if any, the
first couple of days will be spent sleeping non-stop. After that, the
person will still prefer sleep but will eat and go to the bathroom
whereas before they probably didn't. They will be moody, cranky,
lethargic and sometimes violent. After the fourth day, the meth will
technically be out of their system. However, it's the damage that the
meth has caused that is where the problem lies and the fact that your
system is clean of it, does really mean a whole lot. Cravings will be
setting in towards then end of the first week and will more than
likely intensify. Anxiety will set in around the third day, which can
be unbearable especially to a long time user who is trying to quit.
WEEK 2: The person will still be moody, cranky and sometimes violent.
The cravings will be worse than week one and can become unbearable.
They will have no energy to do anything, sleeping is still preferred
unless they break down and get more dope. The second week is where a
lot of people slip up.
NOTE: If the person was experiencing drug induced psychosis while
doing meth, these episodes will start to subside during the second
week, if not the first. If it doesn't and last any longer than four
weeks, that could be a sign of a real mental disorder and the person
should see a doctor as soon as possible.
WEEK 3: Sleeping a lot should start to diminish although the user will
not have a lot of energy and probably will not feel like doing
anything. Depression sets in for the majority of the people around the
third week, if not sooner. Anti-depressants really help if this
happens. Cravings should be leveling off around this time.
WEEK 4: Every thing aside from the depression and feeling lethargic
should start to subside a little. As time goes on from here if the
user stays clean, eventually, all these things will ultimately
disappear.
It's important to note though, that different things can trigger
cravings for years after the user has quit doing meth.
WITHDRAWS LIST 2:
W+1-7 Days HIBERNATION: (Fatigue and Hunger) as your body detoxifies
and violently downshifts from 10th gear to 1st - acute fatigue sets
in. Periods of sleep ranging from 12-24 hours are not uncommon with
brief periods of wakefulness still accompanied by lethargy and
inability to perform the simplest of tasks.
W+8-21 Days - DEPRESSION: (Low and Lethargic) you are indeed now much
more awake, but you will find your current un-stimulated dopamine
levels to be insufficient. Matter of fact, you could win the lottery
tomorrow and still feel suicidal. Ride the storm out - this phase is
short. Now might be a good time to schedule an appointment with a
psychiatrist. Don't be ashamed. No one need know but you. One session
costs no more than your average eight ball. And a psyche is still the
only therapist that can prescribe medication if it is needed.
Buproprion, Citralopram and Bromocriptine have all had good results in
dealing with depression brought about via drug withdrawal from cocaine
and amphetamines.
W+22-60?? Days - FRUSTRATION: (Irritability & Anger) the length of
this phase is somewhat proportional to how long and how much you've
been using...But it is accompanied by irritability (at the slightest
annoyances), "cravings", and absent-mindedness. This period will be
harder on those around you-than you! Be sure to remove anything in the
way of visual "triggers" that can facilitate relapse. If you find
yourself tempted to use, go to NA meetings. Even if you just sit,
listen, and don't ever participate, you'll be surprised at what "rubs
off".
W+60-90?? Days - READJUSTMENT: (Transition & Happiness) every day the
cravings, depression and irritability lessen. But you're not "cured"
yet. The use of meth carries with it a myriad of activities both
mental and otherwise that may be loads of fun while you were on the
drug but will seem about as exciting as watching grass grow while
straight. Unless you replace these activities with productive and
meaningful tasks, you are setting yourself up for relapse. Try and
reinvigorate "pre-drug" hobbies, habits and activities. Try some new
things as well. You were enough of a pioneering spirit to get into
hard drugs. Be adventuresome and try some things you have never done
before.
HOME TREATMENT FOR WITHDRAWALS
bigdaddy444 -
How many hours in to the withdrawal is your friend? Sometimes the older
the person the rougher the detox. Much depends on how long and how
much your friend used. In addition to the vitamins Blvr suggested
which are B-1, B-6, B-12, C, E and multiples, get Cranberry Extract in
pill form specifically to help with the urinary tract and kidneys
which have been working overtime. Its available at most drug stores.
Check the dosages recommended. Most people take too little extract and
not enough, so be sure to administer every day. I took it twice a day
with meals. Be sure the subject eats with the vitamin intake. If they
are not diabetic, have them drink cranberry juice, especially with
reduced sugar like Ocean Spray offers. Have 'em drink spring or
distilled water as much as possible to help flush toxins. I drink
detox tea with goldenseal hot at night to help the liver sometimes
with chamomile to relax, and green tea during the day cold for energy.
Your friend will want to sleep, crave sweets and possibly salty foods
like chips to offset the sweets. Watch out for mood swings, as the
first 72 hours are the roughest. Good luck and let us know how it's
going.
As I've said, these are just some things I've collected while being
here...hope it helps. If you want more specific questions, just post a
question, or better yet go to the chat room, but keep coming back.
