The Recovery Process

The first six months of the recovery process from meth can be often challenging. For many people, the early months of recovery can be like an emotional roller coaster as recovering users progress from acute to protracted withdrawal. Some people have trouble coping with the various addiction rehab programs that they enter into, only adding another hill to the roller coaster.. Although the severe symptoms of acute withdrawal from meth subside fairly quickly, recovery takes much longer.

Many people continue to experience an unpleasant period of days or weeks characterized by a vague and prolonged emotional state best described as "the absence of pleasure," or anhedonia. People report difficulties thinking clearly and focusing. They may also have periods of fatigue interspersed with insomnia, as well as irritability and feelings of anxiety and depression. This state can be difficult to recognize and describe, but there is often the sense that "my brain just isn’t working right."

Some people feel as if they will be stuck in this stage forever, and may think, "If this is how sobriety will feel for the rest of my life, I can’t do it."

During this period it is crucial for patients to remember that if they remain abstinent from meth, these symptoms will subside. The only thing that will make the symptoms persist and worsen is if they use meth. Focusing on staying sober "one day at a time" is a central principle to success during this period.