Among the many strengths of the human body, the ability to neutralize and remove harmful compounds someone might ingest is one they couldn’t live without. Without the liver, for example, even minuscule amounts of alcohol would be potentially lethal. Considering alcohol is mostly water, it’s able to exit the body in a relatively short amount of time (12 hours maximum). With that in mind, how long does crystal meth stay in your system?

There is no amount of meth that your body is equipped to deal with. The process of removing and metabolizing crystal meth is so strenuous on many organs that it can cause some to slow down or fail completely. Don’t let continual meth usage destroy your body or life any further. Call 877.328.5682 to speak to the team at California Centers for Recovery today and learn how our crystal meth detox program can make recovery safe and easy.

How the Body Metabolizes Crystal Meth

Crystal meth is metabolized much in the same way as alcohol or other regularly abused substances—they pass through the liver, are broken down into more palatable compounds, and are then expelled. While methamphetamines can be either liquid or solid, both are broken down from their stable forms into something called amphetamine. The substance changing during metabolization is normal; alcohol becomes acetaldehyde, then acetate, and finally, a water and carbon dioxide mixture.

The key difference is that meth stays in the body for three days because amphetamines are much less soluble by the metabolism process. Breaking down methamphetamines is taxing on the liver, leading to liver damage as a result of meth use. As a result, those who frequently use meth will have a harder time removing the substance from their system. So, the question of “how long does crystal meth stay in your system” is variable, to some extent. More meth, combined with a history of meth use, can move the timeframe from 48 hours to 72 or more. Additionally, meth can remain in trace amounts in hair follicles for up to three months.

The Dangers of Crystal Meth Abuse

Crystal meth does more than idly rot the liver. In fact, the liver ranks fairly low among the organs toward which meth can do the most harm. The brain, specifically, suffers greatly from any amount of meth use. The chemical imbalance created by using meth results in a brain being unable to keep up with the rest of the body’s needs. When used frequently enough, meth takes on the part of the brain’s responsibility to produce endorphins, which makes quitting suddenly a highly painful process. While crystal meth takes a few days to exit your system, it may take months for its residual effects to wear off.

People who have taken meth for an extended period of time who suddenly stop experience the worst symptoms for longer durations, including:

• Cravings for meth
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Suicidal ideation
• Paranoia
• Hallucinations

The withdrawal period for any drug is a major point of discomfort, and crystal meth is no exception.

Ease the Symptoms of Withdrawal at California Centers for Recovery

There are three answers to the question, “How long does crystal meth stay in your system?” For urinary passage, it’s three days. For contaminated hair follicles to cycle out, it can reach 90 days. But the damage caused by meth to disappear can take months to heal or may even be permanent.

Withdrawal is often the hardest roadblock for people who have identified that continued meth use poses a risk to themselves in the form of their health, jobs, or relationships. Those who have used meth the longest are likely to have tried to quit and may have found no success in doing so alone.

That’s why, for those in the Los Angeles area, the team at California Centers for Recovery is working around the clock to keep individuals healthy and comfortable during their meth detox plan. Our team of seasoned professionals is here to accommodate each of your needs into a personalized treatment plan. Call us at 877.328.5682 today, or fill out our online form and learn how you can turn your life around with our crystal meth detox program.