Meth Relapse: Sleeping For Days After Using Again

Methamphetamine, or meth, is a highly addictive stimulant drug that affects the central nervous system. It is known for its ability to increase energy and motivation, induce wakefulness, and cause extreme feelings of euphoria in users. However, the comedown or crash from meth can be intense, with users experiencing acute withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, agitation, and intense cravings for the drug. While the duration of the comedown can vary, it typically lasts for several days to a week, and users may experience extreme exhaustion and sleep for extended periods, ranging from 24 to 48 hours. This is often followed by a period of hunger, drug cravings, and persistent negative moods. The severity of the comedown is influenced by factors such as the duration of meth use, the frequency of use, and the amount consumed.

Meth comedown symptoms

Methamphetamine withdrawal can cause different acute and post-acute symptoms in different people. The severity and duration of these symptoms depend on several factors, such as the duration of use, the dose, and the user's history with the drug. Here are some common symptoms experienced during a meth comedown:

Acute Meth Comedown Symptoms:

• Insomnia followed by hypersomnia: Meth often interferes with sleep patterns, and during withdrawal, individuals may initially struggle to sleep, followed by periods of sleeping too much.
• Dysphoria and low mood: Users may experience intense feelings of agitation, irritability, and restlessness. This can progress to clinical depression and, in severe cases, suicidal thoughts.
• Inability to think clearly: Meth users often face difficulty concentrating, with impaired thinking and cognition.
• Anhedonia: The loss of the ability to feel pleasure is common during meth withdrawal, as the drug typically causes a surge of dopamine, and its absence leads to a blunted pleasure response.
• Withdrawal from others: Social isolation and a desire to be alone are common during a meth comedown.

Post-Acute and Protracted Meth Comedown Symptoms:

• Prolonged inability to experience pleasure: This symptom can persist beyond the acute withdrawal phase, making it challenging for individuals to find enjoyment in everyday activities.
• Fatigue and excessive sleepiness: The intense fatigue and lethargy associated with meth withdrawal can last for several days or even weeks.
• Intense cravings: Cravings are often the most challenging aspect of meth withdrawal, leading many individuals to relapse.
• Body aches and pains: Physical discomfort, including body aches and pains, can accompany the meth comedown.
• Psychological symptoms: In addition to depression and anxiety, some individuals may experience psychotic symptoms, such as paranoia, delusions, or hallucinations.

Meth binge and crash

Methamphetamine is a powerful stimulant that causes a rush of euphoria. When this initial rush ends, users experience an increased sense of well-being, decreased appetite, and increased energy. These lingering effects can last from six to twelve hours. Once the effects end, dopamine drops below normal levels, and individuals endure a crash, also known as a comedown. A comedown is a period of exhaustion that occurs because the body is drained of energy.

During the binging stage, individuals use the drug every few hours. They usually self-administer meth until they either run out of the stimulant or choose to stop using it. In many instances, they do not eat or sleep while binging on the drug. When the binge ends, the crash begins. The entire process typically lasts from three to fifteen days.

The stages of a meth crash begin about twelve to twenty-four hours after the last dose of meth. The process involves three stages:

Stage One

The first stage involves intense fatigue and lethargy, mood swings, and disruptions in eating and sleeping habits. This stage lasts about a day.

Stage Two

The second stage of the meth crash occurs on days two and three. This is the stage when the person feels the peak symptoms, including agitation, being unable to feel pleasure, irritability, and unpredictable behaviours that often include acting out violently.

Stage Three

The final phase of meth withdrawal can last about two weeks, depending on how severe the meth addiction was. Symptoms include cognitive issues, depression, cravings, anxiety, and sleep problems. During this phase, the symptoms will gradually begin to subside.

During the crash, individuals typically sleep for extended periods, sometimes for up to three days. However, it takes even longer, seven to ten days, for the body to reach normal energy levels.

The comedown phase is an early stage of meth withdrawal. Symptoms of a crash are typically less severe than the withdrawal effects felt when the crash ends. But a crash can be dangerous if individuals have thoughts of self-harm.

Withdrawal symptoms

The withdrawal symptoms of a meth relapse can vary in severity and duration, depending on factors such as the individual's route of administration, dose, drug purity, level of intoxication, and history of meth use. Acute withdrawal symptoms typically begin within 24 hours of last use and can last a couple of days to weeks. Acute symptoms include insomnia followed by hypersomnia (excessive sleeping), dysphoria (low mood), anhedonia (loss of ability to feel pleasure), and difficulty thinking clearly. These symptoms usually peak within the first 24 hours and gradually decline over 7-10 days, with cravings being the most reported symptom.

Post-acute and protracted withdrawal symptoms can last an additional 2-3 weeks and tend to be milder and more stable. These symptoms include the loss of ability to experience pleasure, suicidal thoughts or ideation, and fatigue. Cravings during this phase can be challenging to withstand and often lead to a return to drug use or relapse.

The greatest risks of meth withdrawal are severe symptoms of depression and suicidal thoughts, which can lead to self-harm and suicide. Proper monitoring, support, and management are necessary to help individuals effectively navigate these risks.

The withdrawal phase of meth recovery is the most intense part of the process, with individuals experiencing fatigue, disorientation, depression, shaking, and heart palpitations. During this stage, individuals may also experience a range of psychological and physical symptoms, including:

• Mild paranoid ideation (e.g., feeling that people are talking about them)
• Red or itchy eyes
• Sleep difficulties
• Lack of motivation and energy
• Decreased sexual pleasure
• Increased appetite
• Mild to moderate depressive symptoms
• Psychotic symptoms (e.g., hallucinations, delusions)

These symptoms typically resolve within 1-2 weeks of abstinence, with depressive and psychotic symptoms improving within the first week. However, cravings for meth can persist for several weeks or even months, making it challenging for individuals to maintain long-term sobriety.

The severity and duration of withdrawal symptoms can vary depending on several factors, including:

• The amount of meth used
• The length of time an individual has been using meth
• Whether the individual has experienced withdrawal before
• The presence of other substance dependencies
• The individual's overall health and history with substance use

Relapse prevention

• Understanding the Relapse Process: Recognize the stages of meth recovery and the potential challenges and triggers associated with each stage. Understand that cravings are temporary and can be managed effectively.
• Developing Coping Strategies: Learn healthy ways to cope with triggers and cravings. This may include avoiding high-risk situations, developing a relapse prevention plan, and establishing a strong support system.
• Building a Support Network: Surround yourself with supportive people who are committed to your sobriety. This can include family, friends, support groups, or sober living communities.
• Addressing Mental Health: Meth addiction often co-occurs with mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety. Seeking professional help and engaging in therapy can help manage these conditions effectively.
• Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle: Focus on self-care and overall wellness. This includes proper nutrition, hydration, regular exercise, and adequate sleep.
• Continuing Professional Treatment: Continue therapy, counselling, or support group participation even after completing rehab. This provides ongoing support, accountability, and guidance to maintain sobriety.
• Identifying and Avoiding Triggers: Understand your personal triggers and develop strategies to avoid or manage them effectively. This may include staying away from certain places, people, or situations that trigger cravings.
• Developing New Interests: Explore new hobbies, activities, or passions that bring you joy and a sense of purpose. This can help distract you from cravings and provide a healthy outlet for your energy.
• Practising Self-Care: Take care of your physical and mental well-being. This includes practising relaxation techniques, such as meditation or yoga, and engaging in activities that promote stress reduction and self-reflection.
• Maintaining Motivation: Stay motivated by setting short-term and long-term goals, celebrating milestones, and reminding yourself of the benefits of sobriety.
• Relapse as a Learning Opportunity: If a relapse occurs, view it as a learning experience rather than a failure. Identify the triggers and circumstances that led to the relapse and use that knowledge to strengthen your recovery plan.

Treatment options

• Medical detox, where patients are supervised and monitored by medical staff who can treat and respond to potential emergencies.
• Medication may be a part of supportive care or used to reduce the severity of certain symptoms, though there are currently no FDA-approved medications for treating stimulant withdrawal or dependence.
• Inpatient or outpatient drug rehabilitation treatment, which is highly individualized and depends on the specific needs of the patient.
• Therapy, which can help patients focus on their sobriety and commit to staying sober for their entire lives.
• Support groups, such as Crystal Meth Anonymous, which can help patients stay sober by communicating with others in recovery and learning ways to avoid triggers and manage cravings.
• Exercise programs or routines to improve physical health and boost strength.
• Psychotherapy, which can help patients deal with any issues they may have that they were previously dealing with by taking meth.
• Massage or chiropractic work to ensure the body is in the healthiest shape possible.
• Learning more about nutrition and considering how to fuel the body with the right foods and nutrients.

Frequently asked questions