Meth is a highly addictive stimulant that is rampantly abused in the US. Once a person uses it, dependence and tolerance can quickly set in. When a person continues to use this stimulant, the addiction becomes stronger, and it will be harder to quit.
The best way for you to gain freedom is to enroll in rehab. Formal treatment is the safest way for you to recover from this unhealthy behavior. But do you know how long a treatment lasts? It depends on the severity of one’s addiction to the substance. If you have abused this stimulant for more than three months or a year, you should expect your treatment won’t just be a week or two.
Let’s get to know more about the length of stay in rehab to treat methamphetamine addiction.
How long does formal treatment usually last?
It can be intimidating when a person thinks about enrolling in rehab. You think about the cost of treatment and how long you will be staying inside the facility. These are some of the things you need to consider before going into treatment, yet that shouldn’t discourage you since your main goal of doing this is to get well.
It’s also good for you to know the average length of a rehab program for addiction. Below is the general duration of a rehab program:
30 Days
If you’re still uncertain of going into the duration of a full treatment, then it’s best to initially start with a 30-day program. This helps you and the doctor determine your condition in terms of meth addiction. This is also a good avenue for you to get a supervised detox program that will help you handle withdrawal symptoms. You will also receive therapy that will help you manage triggers for you to avoid relapse.
60 Days
The extra 30 days will help you and the doctor go deeper into your behavior and emotion as it is being affected by meth consumption. Take note, it’s not medication alone that will help you stay sober, rather it will be a combination of medicine and therapy. Addiction is a behavior problem as well, so when you get help to better understand yourself and get trained on how to positively cope with triggers, then you have a higher rate of staying clean for life.
90 Days
It may be intimidating to think that you’re staying longer on your treatment, but it’s a great opportunity to strengthen your foundation and coping skills to stay clean. Once you go out of rehab, that is where you will be tested since you will be exposed to various factors that can either lead you to sobriety or relapse.
The extra days you dedicate to treatment will help you adjust from the safe environment of rehab to the “real world” outside of rehab. Many patients appreciate this since they won’t go through a shock upon their transition from rehab to the “real world”. Once you complete your rehab, you can enroll in a sober living house where you get an extension of your therapy and counseling. This helps you check and balance yourself as you slowly transition toward the community outside rehab.
How long does Meth Withdrawal Last
On average, methamphetamine withdrawal lasts around two weeks or a month. But the first ten days are the most critical, so you need medical supervision to safely go over this period. The first ten days from your last intake will be when the peak of withdrawal symptoms is likely to happen. Uncontrolled seizures and vomiting can happen, and it can be life-threatening, so having a medical professional beside you is a good assurance that you can survive this phase.
Here are some of the common withdrawal symptoms:
- Anxiety and paranoia
- Tremors and stomach pains
- Depression and anxiety
- Irritability
- Fatigue and loss of appetite
What is the Timeline of Meth Withdrawal
To further guide you with detox and withdrawal, below is a general timeline:
Days 1-3
These are the most critical days and we call that the “crash phase”. The moment you stop using meth, the euphoric effects slowly wear off followed by discomfort. Your system strongly craves the drug and you feel extreme discomfort of not consuming it. You will feel the following during this phase:
- Intense sweating
- Stomach ache
- Tremors
- Nausea
- Fatigue
But when you’re enrolled in inpatient rehab, you will have 24-hour medical supervision on your detox. Your nurse or doctor will be there to monitor your vital signs and give you the right medicines to alleviate the discomfort.
Days 4-7
The symptoms mentioned above will still feel them during this period, yet they will be more manageable. You will also experience quick changes in your mood.
Days 8-15
Your cravings will slowly be more manageable than before. Discomfort will still be there, yet you can better handle this since you have continued medication and therapy.
Days 16-30
Even if anxiety and depression will still be there, you or the patient will feel a lot better than your first 10 days. During this time, you have improved your sleep and appetite. You will have enough strength to do more things that will help divert your attention from seeking meth.
Do You Need Extended Care After Rehab
We have emphasized before that the longer you stay in rehab, the higher your chance of staying sober for life. Once you complete your treatment program, you have the option to avail yourself of an extended care service that will give you extra guidance for a couple of months.
Living in a sober living house is one option you can enroll in for this matter. This is a drug-free house where you get to live with other patients who have completed their rehab program. In this aftercare service, you will receive continued therapy and medication that will help solidify your foundation to live a drug-free life.
The extended support you get from other peers living in the sober living home will boost your motivation to live a healthy life.