Drug withdrawal, regardless of the type, can be a difficult stage all around. With amphetamines, withdrawal discomfort can be especially hard to bear. In effect, withdrawal effects play an active role in perpetuating the abuse/addiction cycle, so abstaining from continued drug use leaves the brain and body to pick up where amphetamine effects leave off.
According to the U. S. National Library of Medicine, the amphetamine withdrawal timeline involves a set of symptoms, or syndromes that take shape as the body tries to regain some sense of equilibrium in the drug’s absence. Knowing what to expect along the way can better prepare you for what’s to come and hopefully increase your chances of a successful recovery process.
Amphetamine Withdrawal Timeline
Acute Withdrawal
Overall, the severity of amphetamine withdrawal varies depending on the severity of the addiction. The acute withdrawal stage constitutes the initial set of symptoms experienced once a person stops using the drug. This stage can last from two to 10 days.
In effect, you can expect to experience the worst of physical effects at this time. Symptoms to watch out for include:
During the acute withdrawal stage, you will likely experience hypersensitivity and agitation.
- Body tremors or shaking
- Muscle aches and pains
- Vomiting, nausea
- Sweating
- Intense drug cravings
- Long periods of sleep
- Agitation
- Hypersensitivity
- Dehydration
- Elevated breathing and heart rates
Protracted Withdrawal
In cases of chronic or long-term drug abuse, a protracted withdrawal phase takes shape as the acute phase of the amphetamine withdrawal timeline ends. According to the U. S. Department of Health & Human Services, protracted withdrawal results from changes within the brain’s cellular and molecular make up brought on by long-term drug use. Overall, this phase can run anywhere from one to six months in duration depending on addiction severity.
While physical withdrawal can be terribly uncomfortable, the risk of relapse is especially high during protracted withdrawal as emotional unrest tends to predominate during this phase. Symptoms to watch out for include:
- Severe depression
- Inability to experience any sense of joy or contentment
- Bouts of anxiety
- Insomnia
- Fatigue
- Persistent drug cravings
- Muddled thinking
- Impulse control problems
Treatment Considerations
If you or someone you love is addicted to an amphetamine, don’t let fear of withdrawal prevent you from getting sober. Many treatment options are available to assist you in your recovery efforts. For immediate help in finding and choosing a treatment program that can assist you with your withdrawal fight, get help today at 800-816-1059(Who Answers?).
