Will I Hear Voices and Hallucinate When I Quit Crystal Meth

Hallucinations and Voices after Quitting Crystal Meth

Many crystal meth users will continue to hear voices and have hallucinations long after they quit using. It is very common although rarely talked about.  In fact, many doctors dismiss the fact such hightened paranoia, voices, hallucinations, etc. continues after prolonged abstinence. They are slowly learning it is true. The medical literature is not up to date with current experiences of recent crystal meth users. Make sure to be assertive with the doctor when you go.

If you have stopped using crystal meth you may experience paranoia, high anxiety, depression, and sometimes a continuation of auditory and visual hallucinations. Go to the doctor if you are still having hallucinations. If you cannot do that then talk to someone about it because it feels pretty crazy.  Sometimes medication may be necessary to aid the person in quitting the voices.  Crystal meth use can lead to psychosis, a scary break with reality where the user does not realize that their world is made up in their head.  Once a person experiences a psychotic break it is much more likely that it will happen again.  These people are at a higher risk to hear voices, experience visual hallucinations, and auditory hallucinations especially around white noise like bathroom fans, noise fans, etc.  Background noise can also be a problem.

Don't be afraid to talk about this experience if you have it.  Over time it becomes manageable.

Money and Finances in Addiction Recovery - Crystal Meth

Keep track of your money. Money can be a big trigger for some people when they are trying to stay clean after quitting crystal methamphetamine (or others drugs). Have someone you trust help you manage your money, if you need it. While out gacked and tweaking money plays a huge role in whether or not you use. A big relapse trigger for people is getting a paycheck because for some that is so tightly related to getting high. If you are receiving welfare or are on disability then consider getting a payee for a little while in the beginning of your recovery. Make sure that this person is someone who supports you and will not steal from you. Since you are getting in recovery from using meth you know that people will do just about anything to feed their addiction. Listen to your gut. Not everyone needs help managing their money. Sometimes talking to a friend, spouse, or 12 step meeting sponsor can help support your needs around money.

Money can also be a trigger because there is not enough of it. Some get out of treatment, jail, or just stop using and do not have money or credit. Go to the Department of Social and Health Services to see what they can do to help you. Another good resource is 12 step meetings because there are folks there who "get it".

Addiction Recovery Using Diet and Exercise

Eat a healthy diet. This is really important. Your need to have low sugar diet because sugar mimicks drugs in the brain and will increase cravings. Most people do not or cannot eat when using meth, at least at some point, especially in the beginning when your throat is too tight to swallow. Between malnutrition and the damage done by the drug, the brain and body need a lot of healing. Eat a diet that is high in Omega 3-6-9 fatty acids (walnuts, flax seed, fish) and/or take a supplement. Getting the healthy fats are very important for brain and overall health. Take a multivitamin as well.

There is often concern about gaining weight, especially by women since they use it more for weight loss. One thing that is helpful when you quit crystal methamphetamine is to drink high protein fruit smoothies. You can make a variety of them. They taste really good and you can put fruit and vegetables in them, so this way you get more nutrition. Making a spinach fruit smoothie is very healthy and can help maintain weight (you can't taste the spinach!).

Also, make sure to eat and drink water regularly to avoid dehydration. The effects of dehydration and hunger can trick a person into craving drugs when they really need to re-hydrate and replenish the body with food and energy.