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Ice is an extremely dangerous drug, and prolonged use can result in a variety of harmful physical and mental health outcomes. Memory loss, psychosis, dental issues, and mood imbalance are just a few of the negative consequences of sustained methamphetamine use.
However, detoxing from ice can also present problems like aggression, anxiety, extreme hunger, and dehydration. Detoxing at home can be dangerous — especially if a person is also grappling with other issues simultaneously.
Read on to find out how to detox from ice addiction safely, with effective steps that will make the process easier and help prevent relapses.
Ice is a harmful drug, but treatment is available. Our team at The Hader Clinic has years of experience helping people who are suffering from addiction. Find out more about detoxing, and the treatments we offer for people who are addicted to ice.
What happens when you're detoxing from ice addiction?
Ice withdrawal brings many unpleasant physical and psychological symptoms. This will change, and begin to subside, over the weeks and months of an ice addiction detox.
- 24-48 hours: The first phase of withdrawing from ice is known as 'the crash'. Energy levels diminish, and thinking clearly becomes difficult. There are a host of other symptoms as well, like cramping of the abdomen, profuse sweating, and nausea.
- 3-10 days: During this period of time, the symptoms of withdrawal will usually reach their peak. As well as fatigue, people experience high levels of anxiety and extreme depression. Some people also start to shake uncontrollably.
- 14-20 days: Physical symptoms get less intense as people approach the third week, but feelings like depression and fatigue continue. Desire to use meth persists at a high level during this time.
- After a month: Most physical symptoms will have abated after a month of detoxing. Some people continue experiencing the psychological symptoms for longer, with feelings of depression and anxiety starting to lift over the coming weeks and months.
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Learn more about treatment for ice addiction
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The dangers of detoxing from ice addiction alone
Withdrawal from some drugs can be fatal. People have died from opiate withdrawal, and alcohol withdrawal can be one of the most dangerous drugs to detox from. The symptoms of methamphetamine withdrawal are not usually fatal — but they can still be dangerous.
During an ice detox, people are susceptible to dehydration. Lots of liquid leaves the body in the form of sweat, and the anxiety and depression that comes about during ice withdrawal can make it especially difficult to eat and drink enough.
A detox that is supervised by medical experts can help make the process far easier. They can keep an eye on the person who is detoxing, ensure that they're eating and drinking healthily, and facilitate the avoidance of medical complications during withdrawals.
Reduce the craving to relapse back into ice addiction
An ice addict's detox can be full of triggers: people and things that remind or set off a desire to use again. One of the biggest risks during the withdrawal stage is that an addict will relapse — the cravings to use again are very strong, especially if a person has had the addiction for an extended period of time.
By moving into a specialised area, like a rehabilitation centre, those triggers and opportunities to use again can be minimised. This makes it easier to stay off of ice, and continue with the detox process.
The importance of having support when detoxing from ice addiction
Medical complications can arise from meth withdrawal, especially for people living with other health conditions. It is advisable that a medical professional is present over the course of the detox. That way, if there are any complications from the withdrawals, the person detoxing can get the help they need.
At our clinic, we provide counselling and medical supervision for those undergoing an ice detox. We focus on making the process of withdrawing from meth as safe and easy as possible, and remove the triggers to relapse. Then, after the detox, we can continue to provide therapies on the journey to recovery.
