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How To Detox From Ice at Home

A crystal methamphetamine – or ice -addiction is a terrible affliction that leads people to dark places. Yet, the uncomfortable comedown often experienced causes many to continue using the drug. Eventually, though, it becomes clear that carrying on is not a safe option.

When those living with an ice addiction realize that they need to stop using the drug, the first step in recovery is detox.

The best way of completing a crystal meth detox is by going to a treatment center and detoxing under medical supervision. However, many people attempt to detox at home. Sadly, this is not safe due to the crystal meth withdrawal symptoms that arise.

What Are Meth Withdrawal Symptoms?

Meth addiction withdrawal might not be quite as painful as opioid withdrawal, but it can still be uncomfortable. Likewise, crystal meth withdrawal is not as dangerous as alcohol withdrawal, but it can still lead to relapse.

The strength of meth withdrawal symptoms depends on various factors, including how much meth you take, how you administer crystal meth, and how long you have been taking the drug.

Some common symptoms include:

  • Depression. Meth floods your brain with chemicals designed to make you feel good. When you take meth consistently, these chemicals stop working as effectively, meaning that you start to experience depressive symptoms during crystal meth withdrawal.
  • Psychosis. Meth use can induce psychosis, even in people who have no previous history of mental health problems. When you stop taking the drug, psychosis is compounded by feeling low from lack of meth. Most of the time, psychosis abates.
  • Fatigue. Meth enhances energy levels, causing you to participate in high-energy activities, often for days on end. What goes up must come down, though, and with crystal meth withdrawal, this means paying back for all the energy your body used while you were on meth. People who withdraw from meth often report sleeping for days.
  • Anxiety. Meth can make existing anxiety conditions much worse and can cause anxiety even when the drug is used for a short period. Long-term meth use is known to trigger anxiety disorders which often take time to resolve.
  • Cravings. While in methamphetamine withdrawal, crystal meth cravings are likely to surface. These may be the most intense cravings you experience, but treatment can help reduce them.
  • Increased appetite. Meth use means that you burn lots of calories while not eating, which is why meth users can start to look emaciated. You will probably find yourself becoming ravenously hungry at times, and this is okay. Give in to hunger with healthy food if possible, as your body needs increased nutrition to help it heal.

Meth Withdrawal Timeline

Meth withdrawal starts about 24 hours after your last dose of meth. This initial withdrawal period is typically the worst and can leave you experiencing anxiety, panic, and suicidal thoughts. However, it is essential to know that it does get better.

During the first week of withdrawal, you may also experience intense cravings, feelings of hopelessness, poor concentration, aches, pains, and headaches. By the end of the first week, you may still be experiencing low mood, anxiety, and perhaps psychosis, but symptoms should have begun to reduce.

After the second week of withdrawal, the acute stage of methamphetamine withdrawal is over.

Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS)

After the initial withdrawal process is over, PAWS may begin. PAWS is another period of withdrawal that happens after the first stage. It comes with many of the first stage’s symptoms, albeit at a greatly diminished level.

Although PAWS does not impact everyone, it is important to be aware of these symptoms as they can cause some people recovering from crystal meth addiction to relapse as they believe that what they are experiencing is a permanent state of affairs.

This could not be further from the truth. While PAWS can last up to two years, it often lasts less than this and only occurs in waves. Be aware that you may face low energy, irritability, anxiety, and depression during this period. Learn to sit with it and do not give in to any cravings that occur.

If you feel an overwhelming craving, speak with someone who has been through this process before and understands what you are going through.

What Medications Can I Take for Meth Withdrawal?

There are a number of different medications that you can take to help ease symptoms of withdrawal from meth. However, it is essential to remember that these medications are only available at rehab centers where medical supervision is provided.

  • Benzodiazepines. These drugs, including Valium (diazepam) and Xanax (alprazolam), help reduce the anxiety and temporary psychosis that is often felt during meth withdrawal. Be aware, though, that they may make you even more tired, adding to the excessive sleepiness that you will no doubt feel while in meth withdrawal. Benzodiazepines cannot be legally purchased in pharmacies, but they can be given to you if you attend a treatment facility.
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). Paxil (paroxetine) and Prozac (fluoxetine) are drugs that can increase the amount of serotonin hitting receptors in your brain. They do this by blocking the reuptake of serotonin, which means that there is more serotonin floating around in areas where it can be used. These are useful in meth withdrawal, as meth can deplete serotonin levels.
  • Provigil (modafinil). This drug, also used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), can give you a little energy boost, alleviating some of the physical symptoms of tiredness experienced as part of crystal meth withdrawal symptoms.

Why Is Residential Addiction Treatment Better Than Home Detox?

It may seem like a good idea to do a home detox for meth. After all, it means that you save some money and do not have to go through the difficulties of getting to the treatment facility.

While the above points are valid, you should consider the following:

  • Intense meth cravings can cause you to give in. Meth detox brings with it a host of cravings that are so powerful that it can be difficult to maintain sobriety. Yet a medically supervised detox means that you are in a safe environment away from any triggers that could cause you to relapse when cravings arise. In addition, being surrounded by other people who know what you are going through may well offer you the motivation you need to ignore any cravings.
  • Treatment facilities have good food. Meth suppresses your appetite, and the increased hunger you feel when you are recovering from meth abuse means that you often just want to eat all day. If you are at home, the tiredness that comes with meth withdrawal means it can be challenging to go to the store and cook for yourself. Being in a detox facility means that usually, all you need to do is sit down and eat.
  • Medication. If you are doing a home detox, you will not legally be able to purchase medicines that can help ease your withdrawal symptoms when you are undergoing detox. It cannot be overstated how beneficial some of these medications can be and how much of a relief they can be when compared with attempting to go cold turkey.
  • People are going through the same as you. At home, you might be going through meth detox all by yourself. If you attend treatment, you will be around people going through the same thing as you. This can help keep you going when it gets tough.

Conclusion

If you live with a crystal meth addiction and feel ready to seek treatment, contact us today. We can provide the treatment you need and support you through the detox process.

You don’t have to go through crystal meth withdrawal alone. Come to NPAC, and we will make your meth detox as easy as possible.

Begin the first day of the rest of your life

To find out more contact our team

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Kim L. Buckner

Facilitator

As a Substance Abuse Motivational Speaker, Pastor, Peer Advocate, and Facilitator. Kim helps clients avoid relapse by understanding their triggers. Those people, places and things that can cause craving, as well as internal triggers like feelings, thoughts, or emotions. Kim also clients with identifying and building healthy relationships now that they’re clean and sober.

Kim’s background includes extensive experience as a motivational speaker and work in faith-based organizations helping youth and adults alike. She says she is motivated by giving back to the community, understanding, and not judging who she comes into contact with. Kim’s favorite quote is by Dr. Raymond Johnson: “The respect given to others rebounds to the giver to deny the scared in the Other is to deny it in oneself.”

Caty Burns

Clinician

Caty graduated from Indiana University Bloomington in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and minors in Counseling and History. Throughout her undergrad, she worked at the local CASA program, supporting volunteers advocating for children who had experienced abuse and neglect. Caty worked for seven years at a community mental health center (CMHC), partnering with children, adults, and families.

During those seven years, she taught life and coping skills as well as behavior management, provided case management and peer recovery services, and facilitated treatment teams that included the client, family, providers, and community members. I have also worked at an IOP providing group therapy services. She is currently working towards my Master of Social Work.

In her free time, Caty enjoys reading, especially historical fiction, spending time outdoors and having movie nights with her family. Disney World is her happy place, and she dreams of living among the elephants.

Madison Knowles

Mental Health Therapist

My name is Madison Knowles, I am a Mental health therapist at NPAC. I am a single-mother of two and I have a daughter who is globally delayed and has been diagnosed with autism. I have been in this industry since I was 16 years old, as I was fascinated with human behavior. I obtained my masters in applied behavioral analysis and started off working with people with disabilities. I then found my love for counseling when I worked with juveniles who had mental health and substance use issues. I then decided to go back for my mental health therapy license after that and working in a forensic treatment center. I went on to obtain my therapy credentials and since 2017, I have also been working on my PhD in forensic psychology in which I am currently working on my dissertation. I am inspired by change and how resilient people can be. My favorite inspirational quote is “Some will, Some won’t, So what, NEXT!!!” This quote has inspired me to try, try, and try again no matter how hard life gets, someone will give you a chance eventually. As a therapist at NPAC, I have been given the opportunity to work with diverse populations such as in substance use and mental health and I am known for my work with people on the schizophrenic spectrum as well as with other clients with other severe conditions including personality disorders.

Megan Carmona, LMHC

Lead Therapist

Our Lead Therapist, Megan, is a bilingual Licensed Mental Health Counselor who specializes in working with adults who struggle with addiction, anxiety, depression, and trauma. As Lead Therapist, she provides individual, family, and group therapy sessions to our clients.  Megan says “I am very passionate about therapy, especially about supporting my clients in exploring their strengths and identity. My goal is to provide individuals with the tools that can help them achieve independence in coping with their challenges and facilitating personal development.” In her free time, Megan enjoys watching docu-series and playing video games with her family. Her dream is to own acres of land so she can care for vulnerable animals, especially old dogs, cats, and horses. 

Kristen Bensley

Primary Clinician

As Primary Clinician, Kristen works with all aspects of our clinical team, from case management to primary therapy.  She has broad experience working in the mental health field. Prior to joining our team at the Neuro Psychiatric Addiction Clinic, Kristen was part of the team awarded the Evernorth Behavioral Health Center of Excellence Designation by Cigna. She says her motivation is to help people rediscover who they are and become excited about the future and all the possibilities life offers. Kristen’s favorite quote is: “You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.”

Ronn Daigle, MSW

Therapist, Utilization Review Clinician

Ronn Daigle services as a Therapist and Utilization Review Clinician at the Neuro Psychiatric Addiction Clinic. He has been working in the field of substance use disorder treatment since 2011, with experience in all facility-based levels of care. Ronn earned, both an Associate of Arts in Psychology (2013) and Bachelor of Science in Human Services, with an Addiction Studies Concentration (2015) from Indian River State College. 

Ronn additionally earned a Master of Social Work degree in 2021 and is a current Registered Clinical Social Work Intern working toward licensure (LCSW). He describes himself as detail oriented, and solution focused.

Ronn says: “There is nothing more fulfilling than working with someone who doesn’t believe in himself or herself, and being there in the moment with them when the belief begins. We work with individuals who come to us at a point and time in their respective lives where they do not believe that change for others is possible; let alone for themselves…throughout the process they eventually come to a point where they realize that change is not only possible, but achievable.”

Erika Melecio, LMHC, MCAP, CEI

Assistant Clinical Director

Erika Melecio, LMHC, MCAP, CEI is the Assistant Clinical Director at Neuropsychiatric Addiction Clinic who specializes in the treatment of LGBTQ, addiction, as well as mental health disorders ranging from depression and anxiety, to Bipolar Disorder, trauma, personality disorders, psychotic disorders, and eating disorders. Erika utilizes a number of modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Mindfulness amongst others. Erika has been in practice for close to a decade and has earned her license in Mental Health Counseling, as well as being a Master’s Certified Addiction Professional. Erika has worked with many individuals including couples counseling and family therapy, and is fluent in Spanish.
 
Throughout my years of practice, one of the things I enjoy helping people find is inner peace. Whether you are in the deepest parts of depression, overrun by your anxiety, controlled by your addiction, or there are certain issues in your life that are negatively impacting your ability to function, and have a happy, healthy life, maybe now is the time to talk about it. I am a big believer in empowerment, working hard in therapy, and utilizing different techniques to help you regain that inner peace that may have been lost along the way. I want to work with you as a team because with two people, absolutely everything is possible. I want to be there as a therapist, to help build you up, support you, but also help you be honest with yourself and accountable. At the end of the day, when all is said and done, my biggest goal for you is going to be simple….for you to no longer need my services. Why? Because if you no longer need my services, it means that you have regained your peace, you have regained your strength, you have regained your confidence. It means that you now have the tools to address any issues that try to derail you, and best of all, you will have the insight to overcome and thrive. So let’s begin this journey together, and get you to the place you want to be, emotionally, mentally, psychologically, and in your sobriety.

Aurelio Ayuso, MSW, LCSW, CAP, ICADC

Clinical Director

Aurelio has worked with those that suffer from the disease of addiction in adults and juveniles alike for over 10 years, beginning in the United States Navy where he proudly served for 20 years, working with those that were succumbed by addiction due to trauma and continuing his passion for helping those in need locally in Central Florida.

He specializes in both Addictions and Trauma, he has worked first as a therapist then as the clinical supervisor to both the Juvenile and Adult Drug Court programs in Brevard County. Aurelio has been instrumental in developing substance abuse treatment programs directly tailored to help those that also suffer from complex trauma due to their addiction. He has been recognized by several organizations for his forward thinking and ability to tailor treatment to individuals in the most restrictive environments.

Mr. Ayuso received his Graduate Degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of Central Florida in Orlando. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker as well as Certified Addictions Professional in the State of Florida, and Internationally Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor. Aurelio specializes in the treatment of Addiction, Trauma, and Abandonment using strength based strategies deeply rooted in Solution Focused, and Mindfulness Therapies. At the Neuropsychiatric Addiction Clinic he passionately develops holistic curriculums that foster the belief that through addressing the mind, body, and spirit together, the Disease of Addiction can be addressed successfully.

Robert Lehmann, MHSA

Chief Operating Officer

Bob Lehmann is the Chief Operating Officer at the Neuro Psychiatric Addiction Clinic. He has a Master’s Degree in Human Services Administration with a concentration in Mental Health Administration and over twenty-five years of experience as a senior executive at addiction and mental health treatment facilities.

One of the reasons for his commitment to excellence in addiction treatment was his experience related to family members who suffered from the disease of addiction. Bob has been actively involved in community organizations throughout his career. Recently he was one of the founders of the Florida Addiction Treatment Coalition (FATC) and is its present Vice President. FATC was designed to bring together treatment executives in Florida to advocate on behalf of treatment facilities and the clients they serve adhering to a foundation of integrity and service excellence.

Jose R. Toledo, M.D.

Medical Director

A well-rounded and accomplished individual, Jose R. Toledo, M.D., is the Medical Director of Neuro Psychiatric Addiction Clinic.

Dr. Toledo is a neurologist with 25 years of experience and has been in private practice since 1991 on the Treasure Coast of Florida. He completed his neurology training at the State University of New York and his Fellowship training at the University of Pittsburgh in Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology.

He also completed 24 months of acute inpatient psychiatry at the Western Missouri Mental Health Center, University of Missouri in Kansas City. In 2008, Dr. Toledo participated in and was certified in the continuing medical education activity entitled “Buprenorphine and Office-Based Treatment of Opioid Dependence” from The Medical University of South Carolina during which began his quest to found and head Neuropsychiatric Addiction Clinic.

Dr. Toledo is a brain specialist with particular competence in addiction medicine and out-patient detoxification treatment and integrates the fields seamlessly. He is certified to prescribe Buprenorphine (Suboxone). He incorporates his background in neurology into the addiction field. Dr. Toledo is member/fellow of The American Medical Association, The Florida Medical Association and The American Society of Addiction Medicine