Meth, or methamphetamine, is a stimulant drug popular with recreational users. It is fast acting, giving you feelings of increased alertness and physical activity. Also, meth lowers your appetite and makes you feel less sleepy.
Meth is a potent substance, being classified under Schedule II controlled substances by the Drug Enforcement Administration. As such, it is a drug with high abuse and addiction potential.
If you have an addiction to this drug, meth detox is in order. If you’re concerned about the cost of this treatment, read on to find out more.
How does meth detox work?
Meth detox aims to eliminate all traces of meth from your system. You will take progressively smaller doses of the drug until you can tolerate taking none at all. Detox will end once you are completely off meth and your body has adjusted to the drug’s absence. Most importantly, medical professionals will be ready to help you through the entire process.
Quitting meth cold turkey is not recommended as you may experience severe withdrawal symptoms. You may experience both physical and mental symptoms, such as:
Physical
Extreme exhaustion- Abnormal sleep pattern
- Dry mouth
- Headaches
- Not eating enough
- Muscle spasms
Emotional
- Depression or anxiety
- Paranoia
- Lack of motivation
- Low energy level
- Strong cravings for meth
The detox process can take anywhere from 20 to 50 hours. At this time, even if you are not quitting cold turkey, you may still experience some of the withdrawal symptoms mentioned above. This is normal, but if the symptoms become too uncomfortable, your doctor will give you some medications.
Here are some medications used in meth detox:
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines, like Xanax, Valium, and Librium are normally used as sedatives and anti-anxiety medications. They can also be used in detox to help manage anxiety and insomnia. They work by slowing down the functions of the brain, which is the exact opposite of what meth does.
Fluoxetine (Prozac)
Prozac is a common antidepressant, and it has its uses in detox to relieve depressive episodes. It can also be prescribed if you suffer from panic attacks during detox.
Modafinil
Modafinil is normally a narcolepsy medication. It corrects abnormal sleep patterns, so it can also be used in detox to help with insomnia and other sleep problems.
Bupropion (Wellbutrin)
Wellbutrin is another kind of antidepressant medication. In detox, Wellbutrin is used to help reduce cravings for meth. It acts as a regulator of dopamine, which is a brain chemical responsible for producing feelings of reward. When that reward mechanism is not as active as when you were still on meth, your cravings for the latter are no longer intense.
Where does meth detox happen?
The process is often done inside a hospital or a rehab facility. This way, medical personnel can always help you whenever you need it.
Detox at home is possible, but it comes with many risks. Most notably, you do not have medical staff close by when you need immediate assistance. Your family may not be equipped to give aid if you encounter any discomfort or medical emergencies. Moreover, if your behavior turns aggressive or violent, you risk causing harm to your family members.
The best outcomes for detox happen when it is done in a medically supervised setting. Talk to your primary care doctor or a mental health specialist to know your options.
How much do I have to spend for meth detox?
One significant concern of many meth users who wish to quit is the cost of detox. Doctors’ fees, medications, and accommodation can easily add up. In total, the cost of detox is often prohibitive for many patients.
The cost of detox varies per provider. Those in more economically affluent areas tend to be more expensive than those in middle- and lower-income counties and cities. If detox will be done in a rehab facility, those with luxury services and amenities will cost more as well.
The kind of drug addiction to be treated is also a huge factor. Drugs that produce dangerous withdrawal systems may cost more to treat, as they require more medical attention.
Medications also add to the overall cost of detox. The more medications you need to keep withdrawal at bay, the more expensive detox becomes.
Generally, detox can be anywhere from $1,000 to $1,500 for the entire process.
What if I cannot afford meth detox?
You don’t have to pay the full price out of your own pocket. If you have health insurance, it will cover part of the cost. By law, all insurers are required to cover mental healthcare services, including drug detox.
Coverage for different insurance providers and rehab facilities may vary. Ask your rehab facility if they accept your insurance policy first and how much of the cost will be covered.
Many rehab centers also accept Medicare and Medicaid. If you qualify for these federal health insurance programs, ask your rehab center if they accept Medicare or Medicaid. Additionally, you may have state-funded health insurance programs that rehab centers may accept.
Some rehab facilities provide financial aid for those who cannot afford detox. You may be allowed to pay installments, or you may be given scholarships by charities or sponsors.
Free and low-income rehab centers
If affordability still hinders you, there are such things as free rehab centers and low-income rehab centers. These are usually run by charities and volunteers who want to provide detox and recovery opportunities to those who otherwise cannot afford them.
Take note, though, that these rehab centers tend to have long waiting lists. These facilities are often not capable of taking in too many people at once. Also, their facilities may be outdated, and they may not utilize the latest evidence-based treatments because of limited budgets.
Where can I find a detox provider that fits my budget?
Ask your primary care doctor or a mental health professional in your area to help you find a rehab center that is within your budget. You may also get in touch with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). They have a database of detox and rehab providers in every state.
