Decide whether you want to stop using, cut down, or maintain your present usage. Since P can be particularly habit forming, here are some things to consider.

Cut down

If you plan to reduce your meth use, as a first step it can be easier to stop completely until your cravings are under control. How long that takes depends on factors unique to you, but two months without use might be a good place to start. After that, think about the positive and negative effects meth had on your life before you decide to use again.

Maintain use

If meth isn’t obviously causing any problems at the moment, maintaining your current use can still be a risky strategy. Meth affects everyone differently so exactly how risky, depends on the level you intend to maintain. If you’re using meth more than once a month, you may not be giving your brain enough time to recover. Over the longer term, this could lead to problems and sooner or later you may find yourself using more, more often.

Make rules

Whether you want to cut down or maintain, stay in control by making rules that give you a way to override an urge in your mind. Knowing what it feels like to push back against and overcome an urge can make you better at moderating your use of meth in the future. Examples:

• Only use with someone else (i.e. not alone)

• Only use on long weekends

• Stop if you haven’t slept for 24 hours.

What are your rules? Write some down to protect the life you enjoy, commit to them, and refer to them regularly. It can be helpful to keep in mind that the physical effects of stopping meth are mild and short lived compared to some other drugs.

Symptoms of meth withdrawal (since last used)

1 to 3 days

Comedown:

• Exhausted

• Hungry

• Tired

• Depressed

2 to 10 days (Common to very uncommon)

Withdrawal:

• Strong urges

• Anxious or emotionally flat

• Easily irritated

• Tired

• Reduced brain power

• Disturbing dreams

• Poor concentration

• Aches, headaches, diarrhoea

• Paranoia

• Hallucinations

7 to 28 days

Settling down:

• Weaker urges

• Moody

• Depressed

• Sleep problems

• Poor concentration

• Reduced brain power

1 to 3 months (Sometimes longer)

Establishing normal:

• Feeling healthier

• Sleeping better

* Source: drughelp.co.nz