When someone suffering from ice addiction stops using, ice detox and withdrawal can result in life threatening symptoms. For safe detox and withdrawal from ice a medically supervised hospital detox is recommended.
How Long Does Ice Withdrawal Take
Withdrawal from ice can take longer than for other drugs and alcohol. Detoxification and withdrawal from ice usually takes 10-15 days and depending on the severity of the addiction may last for longer.
Ice Detox and Withdrawal Symptoms
The adverse effects of detoxing from ice can range from mild to life threatening. The detox process encompasses both acute and longer-term phases each with their own symptoms.
The first phase is known as “comedown” and lasts one to three days. Symptoms include:
- depression, anxiety and irritability
- anhedonia (the inability to feel pleasure about normally pleasant events)
- suicidal ideation and behaviours
- exhaustion and increased requirement for sleep
- increased appetite
The second phase of withdrawal lasts for three to ten days and symptoms include:
- mood swings and anxiety
- poor concentration and confusion
- paranoia
- being emotionally fragile
- strong cravings
- sleep difficulties including nightmares
- increased appetite
- aches, pains and headaches
The third phase of withdrawal lasts anywhere from ten days through to three to six months. Symptoms include:
- mood swings
- anxiety
- intermittent strong urges to use
- sleep difficulties
- nightmares
Detoxing Safely From Ice
If there has been history of heavy ice use, especially if combined with frequent use of other drugs or alcohol (poly use) it is highly recommended that a medically supervised detox is undertaken within a hospital. This is because:
- A safe hospital environment markedly improves safety for a user withdrawing from ice.
- The risk of suicidal ideation and psychosis is significantly increased in heavy ice users due to the effects of the drug on the pleasure/reward centres of the brain.
- Ice has an adverse impact upon behavioural control which can result in the impairment of decision making (particularly emotional), plus users can engage in irrational actions that occur without forethought.
- Ice use impacts cognitive control in many spheres. Impairment of social cognition, where the user fails to pick up subtle emotional cues, can result in hostility, violence and defensiveness on the part of the user.
Additionally, due to the mental health impacts of ice use and stopping, ice detox should also include an intensive psychosocial program and counselling initiated by a mental health professional.
About Ice Addiction
Ice is the second most frequently used illicit drug in Australia. In recent years, the purity of ice has risen dramatically. This has been associated with the effects of higher rates of dependence and problematic use.
Ice is an incredibly addictive substance and most users cannot stop taking ice without professional addiction treatment.
Find out more about ice addiction.
Ice Detox and Withdrawal Specialists
Hader Clinic Queensland Private is Queensland’s only dedicated detox hospital, where withdrawal from both legal and illicit drugs is managed by a team of medical experts.
Hader Clinic Queensland’s private hospital and residential drug and alcohol rehab provides successful detox and long-term recovery from ice addiction with a stepped approach ensuring that patients receive the highest standard of care and lasting success.
