When someone stops using speed—whether it’s amphetamines, meth, or other stimulants—the body and brain go through a crash. This process is known as speed withdrawal, and it can be overwhelming, painful, and dangerous without support. Understanding the speed withdrawal timeline is essential for those who want to quit and for families who want to help.
The dangers are very real. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), more than 2.5 million Americans reported methamphetamine use in 2021, and stimulant-related overdoses have risen more than fourfold since 2011. Many of these deaths are linked to relapse after withdrawal, when cravings are strongest and the body is most vulnerable.
As Maya Angelou once said, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” Learning what withdrawal looks like—and how to get help—can be the turning point between relapse and recovery.
Navigating This Guide
This hub page serves as the entry point for deeper exploration. Use the links below to dive into specific areas of speed addiction:
What Is Speed Withdrawal?
Speed withdrawal happens when the body is deprived of the stimulant it has grown dependent on. Stimulants flood the brain with dopamine, creating intense energy and euphoria. When use stops, the brain is left depleted, leading to depression, fatigue, and strong cravings.
Unlike alcohol or opioids, stimulant withdrawal is not usually life-threatening. But the mental health risks—especially suicidal thoughts—make professional detox and support critical for safety.
Common Symptoms of Speed Withdrawal
Withdrawal symptoms vary depending on how long someone has been using and how much they’ve taken. Common symptoms include:
- Extreme fatigue and exhaustion
- Depression or anxiety
- Intense drug cravings
- Increased appetite and weight gain
- Vivid nightmares or disturbed sleep
- Irritability and agitation
- Difficulty focusing or remembering
These symptoms can last for weeks or even months, depending on the severity of the addiction.
Speed Withdrawal Timeline: Stages of Recovery
The speed withdrawal timeline usually occurs in several stages. While everyone’s experience is different, most follow this general pattern:
- First 24–48 hours (Crash stage): Exhaustion, long periods of sleep, increased appetite, and deep depression. Many feel unable to function.
- Days 3–10 (Acute stage): Cravings peak during this period. Symptoms include irritability, anxiety, paranoia, and severe mood swings. Sleep patterns are disrupted, often with nightmares.
- Weeks 2–3 (Sub-acute stage): Mood swings and cravings begin to lessen but can still be intense. Energy levels start to stabilize, though depression and anxiety may linger.
- One month and beyond (Post-acute stage): Many experience post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS), which includes ongoing fatigue, low motivation, mood instability, and memory issues. This stage can last months, making relapse prevention and ongoing therapy critical.
Understanding this timeline helps individuals and families prepare for what’s ahead and encourages them to seek ongoing support.
The Risks of Going Through Withdrawal Alone
Many people believe they can quit “cold turkey.” While stimulant withdrawal may not shut down the body like alcohol or opioid withdrawal, the mental health dangers are very serious.
- Suicidal thoughts: Severe depression during withdrawal increases suicide risk.
- Relapse: Intense cravings often lead to relapse, which raises overdose risk because tolerance has dropped.
- Isolation: Going through withdrawal without support makes it harder to stick with recovery.
Professional detox programs provide medical supervision, emotional support, and a safe environment to navigate the toughest stages of withdrawal.
A True Story of Hope
Brady grew up in a family that was very disconnected. Everyone seemed to do their own thing every day. Both of his parents had an addiction to drugs, but his parents tried to hide it from him. After getting his girlfriend pregnant, he decided to get married to try to do the honorable thing. At 25, he started working at a liquor store and began drinking very heavily.
While drinking at work one day, a man came through the drive-thru and had cocaine. Brady decided to try it and at 26 he developed a cocaine addiction within a very short period of time. He started using cocaine to wake him up and alcohol to help him when he needed to sleep.
Eventually, he got a job working for a phone bank where he maintained a job for two years. During those two years, he was not only drinking and doing cocaine but also started using pain pills. After injuring his back, Brady’s mother gave him a pain pill to try to ease the pain. He liked the way that it made him feel and began using them frequently. Within a year of working at the bank, he realized that he needed the drugs and alcohol to feel the way that he wanted to feel. He tried to stop using at one point because he was spending so much money so quickly. He wasn’t worried about health risks or legal risks. He just cared about decreasing the amount of money he was spending on drugs and alcohol.
Treatment and Recovery Support
Managing withdrawal is only the first step in recovery. Long-term success requires ongoing treatment and support.
Treatment options include:
- Medical detox: Provides a safe space to rest and stabilize during the worst withdrawal stages.
- Inpatient rehab: Offers structure, therapy, and peer support.
- Outpatient programs: Flexible care while maintaining work or family responsibilities.
- Therapy and counseling: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps manage cravings and negative thoughts.
- Dual diagnosis treatment: Many people struggling with speed addiction also battle depression or anxiety, which must be treated together.
- Aftercare support: Peer groups, sober living, and ongoing therapy are essential for relapse prevention.
With proper care, the brain and body can heal over time, and recovery becomes not just possible—but achievable.
Moving Toward Healing
The speed withdrawal timeline is difficult, but understanding the stages and symptoms can prepare people for the journey ahead. Withdrawal is not just about surviving the crash—it’s about building a foundation for recovery.
If you or a loved one is struggling, call SAMHSA’s free helpline at 1-800-662-HELP for confidential treatment referrals.
Addiction may feel like it has stolen everything, but with help, recovery and hope are always within reach.
