What is Crystal Meth?

Crystal meth, the abbreviated name for crystal methamphetamine, is the white, crystallized version of a drug from the class of amphetamines. Crystal meth may go by a number of different names, including meth, chalk and speed. Whatever name it goes by, however, it delivers a sudden rush of confidence and elation as well as a significantly reduced appetite.

Crystal meth can be snorted, smoked, injected or taken orally. Whatever method of consumption is used, it can become immediately addictive and cause an array of medical problems to the user. Like any addiction, it can disrupt life, cause financial and legal concerns and harm meaningful relationships.

Duration of a Crystal Meth High

One of the reasons that crystal meth is such a popular and widely-used drug is that it delivers a relatively long high. On average, users who take crystal meth feel symptoms for six to eight hours. However, it isn’t unusual to experience a high lasting a full 24 hours when the dose is large or the user is just beginning to take crystal meth.

Over time, however, the duration of the high begins to lessen. This means that those addicted to crystal meth need increasingly frequent doses to prevent the withdrawal symptoms from kicking in after a high recedes. The more crystal meth people use, the more their tolerance grows. This creates a dangerous cycle where individuals are constantly trying to source and take more of this addictive substance.

Half Life of Crystal Meth

The half life of a drug refers to how long it takes for the concentration of the substance in the human body to reduce by approximately half. Generally, the half life of a drug signifies the time when the high has worn off completely.

In the case of crystal meth, the plasma half life is anywhere from 12 to 34 hours. The danger of this, in part, is that the half life of crystal meth is longer than the high in many cases. For instance, a person who uses crystal meth and experiences an eight-hour high might be eager to take another dose a few hours later. However, there is still a significant amount of crystal meth in the body.

This extensive half life contributes to the large number of crystal meth overdoses that happen every year. As crystal meth lingers in the blood, but individuals take a second dose by snorting, smoking or injecting, they are adding to the stress within the body. This can overload the body’s systems, creating an overdose that has the potential to be fatal.

Crystal Meth and Drug Tests

Many individuals are interested in learning about how long crystal meth lasts in the body because of concerns about upcoming drug tests. Whether a drug test will reveal the individual’s drug use will depend heavily on the type of test being administered as well as the typical dosage.

In a urine test, crystal meth will appear in the urine about two hours after use and for up to five days afterwards. For a saliva test, crystal meth will appear in the saliva ten minutes after consumption and for approximately four days afterwards. Similarly, a blood test will reveal blood tainted with crystal meth two hours after consumption and for at least three days afterwards.

Hair tests are far more sensitive and can reflect crystal meth use for significantly longer than blood, urine or saliva tests. Even a basic, inexpensive home hair drug test can identify crystal meth use in the past 90 days. Professional lab exams can pick up on crystal meth consumption even further back. Rather than trying to beat the system and dupe a drug test, individuals addicted to crystal meth should strongly consider seeking help in the form of a recovery program.

Consumption Method Impacts Duration on the Body

The length of time that crystal meth stays in the body can be influenced by a number of different factors. Metabolism, longevity of use, tolerance levels and amount may also play a role in the drug’s duration within the body. However, one of the most overlooked factors is consumption method. How crystal meth is ingested may impact how long the drug stays in the body.

Snorting crystal meth results in the shortest impact on the body. Although still incredibly dangerous and addictive, snorting may only cause the drug to stay in the body for one to four days. Smoking crystal meth elongates the time the drug is in the body, averaging three to five days. Using crystal meth intravenously, through injection, means that the minimum the drug will stay in the body is 72 hours, but with the potential to last for much longer.

How to Completely Rid the Body of Crystal Meth

There’s no effective way to rid the body of crystal meth without confronting the addiction head on. This is because even though the body might be rid of most traces of crystal meth three, four or five days after use, it’s unlikely that those addicted to the drug will go that long between doses. In fact, many crystal meth users are daily consumers.

In addition, the body can hold onto toxins as a result of crystal meth addiction for far longer than the half life of the drug. A complete detoxification, and then sobriety, is the only truly effective way to rid the body of its harmful dependence on crystal methamphetamine.

Crystal meth delivers a lasting high and an even longer half life, contributing to its addictive appeal and its dangerous nature. Ridding the body of all crystal meth and related toxins requires commitment to a recovery program and targeted addiction treatment.

The Dangers of Meth Addiction

Using meth to any degree, but particularly in large and consistent doses, can cause countless medical, emotional and psychological problems. Whether meth is smoked, injected or even inhaled, it can cause immediate side effects that include decreased fatigue, decreased appetite, hyperthermia and an irregular heartbeat. After continued use, meth can also isolate individuals, separating them from their loved ones while simultaneously causing problems at work, school or in society at large.

Through regular use, the impact of meth can begin to break down the body and the brain. Individuals struggling with an addiction to meth might suffer from memory loss, deficits in motor skills, problems understanding complex thoughts, paranoia and even hallucinations. Physically, meth addictions can lead to significant weight loss and major dental problems.

The Objective of a Detox From Meth

In a nutshell, a meth detox is what can save lives and turn individuals toward sobriety. It’s important to understand that detox is just the first step in recovery, and additional rehab or therapy is likely needed to maintain that sobriety after detox. However, there’s no denying that those treatments won’t be effective until a detox has successfully been completed.

A detox from meth is the cessation of the drug for the duration of the program, with the goal of lifelong sobriety. Patients will, over the course of the detox, break ties with their physical bonds to meth. The emotional and psychological ties may still exist, which is why things like cognitive behavioral therapy and dual diagnosis treatment are so important, but detox paves the way for better comprehension and rational thinking, which is crucial during recovery.

Duration of a Detox

It’s nearly impossible to accurately state how long a detox from meth will take. It depends significantly on the severity of the addiction to meth, how long patients have been using meth and what kind of doses were being consumed. In general, most patients take between one and two weeks to detox from meth, but there are occasions when people can suffer from physical symptoms for slightly longer.

The first three days of the detox are sometimes known as the crash stage. Because meth stays in the body longer than most other drugs, many individuals simply feel overwhelmingly tired during this phase. Low energy, depression and a strong appetite are all markers of this first stage of withdrawal.

The next stage, typically lasting for several days, is when severe cravings can present themselves. These strong cravings might last until the end of the second week of detox. After this, most patients won’t be in a full-time detox program, but they may still periodically deal with minor psychological, rather than physical, symptoms.

Withdrawal Symptoms of a Detox From Meth

A detox from meth can cause a number of psychological and the physiological withdrawal symptoms. The most notable (and concerning) symptom is depression. Patients may not feel happiness, or even the prospect of happiness, for several days. Also common is anger, anxiety or paranoia.

The physical side effects are also problematic during a detox from meth. Many patients experience a lot of sweating as well as rapid temperature fluctuations. Aches, pains and headaches are also common for up to two weeks. Patients in a detox may also deal with either insomnia or excessive sleeping depending on where they are in the detox process.

Weight gain is another symptom commonly associated with a meth withdrawal, and it’s something that happens for the following three possible reasons:

1. The metabolism slows without meth consumption, and most patients also move little and feel very lethargic
2. Patients may be stabilizing after severe weight loss that occurred as a side effect of meth addiction
3. Food is often one of the few things that brings joy in those initial stages of detox

The Importance of a Professional Detox Facility

All too often, individuals who are struggling with an addiction to meth decide to complete a detox on their own. This is never a good idea, and it can lead to serious health complications. In addition, a DIY detox is rarely successful, and many people who try it end up relapsing or using before the first month is up.

In a professional detox facility, patients will get 24/7 medical care. This means that professionals can prescribe over-the-counter medications as necessary, easing the pain or discomfort of withdrawal and helping patients to sleep well. They can also understand the process of detox, and notice when behavior or health becomes abnormal. Perhaps most importantly, a professional detox means that there is accountability to prevent relapse and a watchful eye to prevent things like self-harm or suicide attempts during depressive stages.

What Makes a Detox Facility Great

Once prospective patients have committed to the idea of a detox from meth, they are faced with the challenge of selecting the right detox facility. Besides checking for things like accreditation and a great reputation, it’s important to confirm that the facility handles meth addictions.

In addition, it may be important to check into what kinds of health insurance plans are accepted for the detox. Ideally, any detox facilities in consideration should also acknowledge the benefits of a medical detox and the use of certain medications that can ease the discomfort of withdrawing from drugs like meth.

Understanding the duration and extent of a detox from meth may encourage some individuals to take that vital first step toward recovery. Detox can be challenging, but it’s the only way to break free from addiction and begin a lifetime of sobriety.