| Subject: Re: Getting Clean |
Author:
Been There
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Date Posted: 06:46:13 02/22/06 Wed
In reply to:
sister of addict
's message, "Getting Clean" on 18:18:38 02/15/06 Wed
Yes it is possible. Everyone is different recovery is not an exact science. Just love your sister and believe in her unless she shows you shes clean or makes it perfectly clear she is using again. Good Luck.
SYMPTOMS THAT SOMEONE IS USING METH.
Smell of substance on breath, body or clothes,
Extreme hyperactivity; excessive talkativeness, or not talking at all,
Unexplained silliness or giddiness,
Constant sweating, change in personal grooming habits,
Rapid weight loss,
Increase or decrease in appetite; changes in eating habits,
Sores on face, hands, legs, arms,
Needle marks or bruises on lower arm, legs or bottom of feet,
Talks fast and / or grinds their teeth, clenches their jaw,
Either really clean or really unorganized,
Works a lot of overtime, or does not work at all / can't keep a job,
Drop in school or work performance; skips or is late to school or work,
Car accidents, fender benders, household accidents,
Chronic lying, and general dishonesty; trouble with police & authority,
Unexplained need for money; can't explain where money goes; stealing,
Change in activities; loss of interest in things that were important before,
Circle of friends changes,
Stays up all night or only gets a couple of hours of sleep each night,
Unexplained moodiness, irritability, or nervousness,
Change in overall attitude / personality with no other identifiable cause,
Difficulty in paying attention; forgetfulness,
Violent temper or bizarre behavior,
Paranoia -- suspiciousness,
Excessive need for privacy; keeps door locked or closed, won't let people in,
Secretive or suspicious behavior
Defensiveness, temper tantrums, resentful behavior (everything's a hassle),
Possession of drug paraphernalia.
* LOTS OF PEOPLE ASK WHAT ARE THE WITHDRAWALS OF THIS DRUG. EVERYBODY IS DIFFERENT AND SOMETIMES UNPREDICTABLE. IT IS NOT AN EXACT SCIENCE ON HOW THEY RECOVER BUT HERE IS TWO LIST, AND PRETTY GOOD GUIDELINES WHAT TO EXPECT IN MOST PEOPLE. Good Luck.
WITHDRAWS LIST 1
WEEK 1: Depending on how much the person had been doing up until quitting time and how many nights they had been awake, if any, the first couple of days will be spent sleeping non-stop. After that, the person will still prefer sleep but will eat and go to the bathroom whereas before they probably didn't. They will be moody, cranky, lethargic and sometimes violent. After the fourth day, the meth will technically be out of their system. However, it's the damage that the meth has caused that is where the problem lies and the fact that your system is clean of it, does really mean a whole lot. Cravings will be setting in towards then end of the first week and will more than likely intensify. Anxiety will set in around the third day, which can be unbearable especially to a long time user who is trying to quit.
WEEK 2: The person will still be moody, cranky and sometimes violent. The cravings will be worse than week one and can become unbearable. They will have no energy to do anything, sleeping is still preferred unless they break down and get more dope. The second week is where a lot of people slip up.
NOTE: If the person was experiencing drug induced psychosis while doing meth, these episodes will start to subside during the second week, if not the first. If it doesn't and last any longer than four weeks, that could be a sign of a real mental disorder and the person should see a doctor as soon as possible.
WEEK 3: Sleeping a lot should start to diminish although the user will not have a lot of energy and probably will not feel like doing anything. Depression sets in for the majority of the people around the third week, if not sooner. Anti-depressants really help if this happens. Cravings should be leveling off around this time.
WEEK 4: Every thing aside from the depression and feeling lethargic should start to subside a little. As time goes on from here if the user stays clean, eventually, all these thing will ultimately disappear.
It's important to note though, that different things can trigger cravings for years after the user has quit doing meth.
WITHDRAWS LIST 2:
W+1-7 Days HIBERNATION: (Fatigue and Hunger) as your body detoxifies and violently downshifts from 10th gear to 1st - acute fatigue sets in. Periods of sleep ranging from 12-24 hours are not uncommon with brief periods of wakefulness still accompanied by lethargy and inability to perform the simplest of tasks.
W+8-21 Days - DEPRESSION: (Low and Lethargic)
you are indeed now much more awake, but you will find your current un-stimulated dopamine levels to be insufficient. Matter of fact, you could win the lottery tomorrow and still feel suicidal. Ride the storm out - this phase is short. Now might be a good time to schedule an appointment with a psychiatrist. Don't be ashamed. No one need know but you. One session costs no more than your average eight ball. And a psyche is still the only therapist that can prescribe medication if it is needed. Buproprion, Citralopram and Bromocriptine have all had good results in dealing with depression brought about via drug withdrawal from cocaine and amphetamines.
W+22-60??Days - FRUSTRATION: (Irritability & Anger) the length of this phase is somewhat proportional to how long and how much you've been using...But it is accompanied by irritability (at the slightest annoyances), "cravings", and absent-mindedness.
This period will be harder on those around you-than you! Be sure to remove anything in the way of visual "triggers" that can facilitate relapse.
If you find yourself tempted to use, go to NA meetings. Even if you just sit and listen and don't ever participate, you'll be surprised at what "rubs off".
W+60??-90??Days - READJUSTMENT: (Transition & Happiness) every day the cravings, depression and irritability lessen. But you're not "cured" yet. The use of meth carries with it a myriad of activities both mental and otherwise that may be loads of fun while you were on the drug but will seem about as exciting as watching grass grow while straight. Unless you replace these activities with productive and meaningful tasks, you are setting yourself up for relapse. Try and reinvigorate "pre-drug" hobbies, habits and activities. Try some new things as well. You were enough of a pioneering spirit to get into hard drugs. Be adventuresome and try some things you have never done before.
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