Methamphetamine withdrawal symptoms

Once a methamphetamine addict stops taking the drug, the withdrawal symptoms can be very severe and include depression and anxiety, increased appetite, fatigue, paranoia, irritability, aggressive behavior, and intense craving for the drug. Some of these symptoms can be eased with sedative drugs like Valium or antidepressants like Prozac . 

Substance-Induced Anxiety Disorder. Numerous medicines and drugs of abuse can produce panic attacks. Panic attacks can be triggered by central nervous system stimulants such as cocaine, methamphetamine, caffeine, over-the-counter herbal stimulants such as ephedra, or any of the medications commonly used to treat narcolepsy and ADHD, including psychostimulants and modafinil. Thyroid supplementation with thyroxine (Synthroid) or triiodothyronine (Cytomel) can rarely produce panic attacks. Abrupt withdrawal from central nervous system depressants such as alcohol, barbiturates, and benzodiazepines can cause panic attacks as well. This can be especially problematic with short-acting benzodiazepines such as alprazolam (Xanax), which is an effective treatment for panic disorder but which has been associated with between dose withdrawal symptoms. 

Smith L, Yonikura ML, Wallace T, Berman N, Kuo J, Berkowitz C. Effects of prenatal methamphetamine exposure on fetal growth and drug withdrawal symptoms in infants born at term. Dev Beh Pediatrics 2003 24 17-23. 

In addition to the hazards associated with meth production, it is becoming increasingly clear that heavy meth users risk a number of health problems. Exposure to very high doses poses a risk of seizures, convulsions, and cardiovascular collapse. Overdose can also produce the paranoid symptoms of stimulant psychosis often associated with violent behavior. A recent study of young adults who were heavy meth users found that over one third of the respondents reported committing acts of violence while under the influence of meth (Sommers, Baskin, Baskin-Sommers, 2006). Chronic users face additional problems. Depression is a common feature of methamphetamine withdrawal... 

Symptoms of withdrawal include depression, altered mental status, drug craving, dyssomnia, and fatigue. Duration of withdrawal from methamphetamine ranges from 3 to 24 days, but these individuals are usually not in acute distress. Occurrence of delirium suggests withdrawal from another drug (e.g., alcohol). 

The central nervous system actions that result from taking even small amounts of methamphetamine, on the other hand, include extreme alertness, increased energy, decreased appetite, increased respiration, hyperthermia, and euphoria—generally the effects sought by users. But over time, side effects such as irritability, insomnia, confusion, tremors, convulsions, anxiety, paranoia, and aggressiveness begin to intrude. These symptoms are magnified by lack of sleep. Withdrawal often produces severe depression. 

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