Meth is known for being one of the most addictive drugs that you can find. You can get addicted to meth the first few times that you use it, and it is common to discover that you are in over your head before you even realized that it could happen. Meth is a stimulant that causes your brain to release dopamine in larger amounts than would occur naturally. This causes you to crave more meth when your dopamine levels begin to drop. In chronic users, this disruption in the brain’s normal dopamine production can last for many years, which makes getting off of meth and staying sober so hard. People often ask how can one quit meth without treatment, and this is a valid question if you either don’t want to go to a rehab center or believe that you can’t. While you might be able to try to quit using meth on your own, you need to understand that ending an addiction on sheer willpower alone is rarely successful.
The problem with trying to quit meth on your own is that you may not be fully prepared to deal with your life as a newly sober person. You have to ask yourself why you started using meth. Did you start using it to have more energy to get through your day? If so, then you might have depression or be dealing with issues that disrupt your sleep. You could have picked up meth for the first time out of a desire to fit in with your friends or to feel more confident. These are all signals that other deeper issues could be impacting your drug use. Choosing to go to treatment can give you the support that you need to address the reasons that made meth seem appealing in the first place.
Explore Your Reasons for Wanting to Opt Out of Treatment
There are many reasons why people try to avoid going to addiction treatment. You might fear that you can’t afford treatment. Finding out that there are multiple options for financial assistance could help change your mind. You could also be concerned about taking time off from work or school, and this is when you might be able to explore the benefits of going to outpatient treatment. People often choose to live in a sober home while undergoing counseling for their meth addiction, and this arrangement lets you build up to the point that you can keep working or going to school.
You might also just be dealing with the fear of the unknown. It’s scary to go somewhere new, especially during a vulnerable time. However, planning a major lifestyle change is often easier when you put yourself into a new environment. Stepping out of your comfort zone is already happening when you quit meth, and being surrounded by support can help you feel better throughout your recovery.
Plan How to Deal With Your Withdrawal Symptoms
With meth withdrawal, the worst of your symptoms will likely appear within the first 24 hours. They’ll usually continue for a week or two, and you may find that some of them are quite uncomfortable. Early meth withdrawal symptoms include the following:
- mild paranoia
- hallucinations
- anxiety and depression
- itching
- fatigue
- increased appetite
Some people experience symptoms that continue for many weeks or months This is called acute withdrawal syndrome, and you may need assistance to manage how you respond to these lingering symptoms. Feeling unwell for more than a few days could cause you to return to using meth, and having someone close by to give you encouragement makes a huge difference in your ability to combat your cravings.
Break Away From Negative Influences
Whether you choose to go to treatment or not, you’ll need to get away from the people that you used meth with in the past. Sadly, your group of friends or family member might not be ready to quit meth, and having it around you could cause you to lose control over your behavior. Moving to a sober home is an option that puts you in a drug-free place with 24/7 support that helps you continue to get off of meth. There, you don’t have to worry about running across an old friend who tries to talk you into using meth with them just one more time. Instead, you’ll be able to enjoy the positive energy that comes from living in an environment that supports sobriety.
Are you wondering how to quit meth? If so, you don’t have to do it alone. Call our counselors today at 614-705-0611 to learn about your options for finding support.