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Methamphetamine, or meth, is a potent stimulant drug that’s used recreationally for its intense euphoria. A high from meth comes in a short-lived rush, encouraging repeated use to maintain the effects. Tolerance and dependence build, potentially leading to addiction.
Meth is a highly addictive stimulant that’s used recreationally. It comes in powder and crystal forms, the latter being white rocks or glass-like fragments that are smoked. Meth may also be injected, snorted, or ingested orally in pill form.
Using meth brings a fast and intense high that fades quickly, leading people to binge the drug to maintain that rush.[1] This repetitive use can build tolerance rapidly, requiring higher doses for the same effects.
Meth is a Schedule II drug because of its potential for substance abuse and addiction.[2] Though it has extremely limited pharmaceutical uses as a last-line treatment, nearly all methamphetamine is illicitly manufactured and used illegally.
Taken in small doses, meth produces similar effects to other stimulant drugs, including:[3]
There are long-term risks associated with meth use, including:[4]
In addition to the direct risks of meth use, there are indirect risks like contracting bloodborne illnesses from unsterile needles or engaging in risky behaviors that can lead to injury or death.
Meth is an extremely addictive drug, but not all meth use will result in addiction. Some signs are consistent with meth use, such as fidgeting, irritability, and fatigue. However, showing these signs doesn’t necessarily mean someone is addicted.
Some of the signs of meth use include:[5]
In addition, people abusing meth or other drugs may engage in behaviors like borrowing money, stealing, lying, or becoming more secretive. You may find meth paraphernalia, such as needles or syringes, burnt spoons, or surgical tubes.
Meth addiction is a stimulant use disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). The criteria for stimulant use disorder include:[6]
A meth overdose can occur if you take more meth than your body can handle or combine meth with other drugs. A meth overdose can have some uncomfortable and potentially dangerous symptoms, including:[7]
If you think someone is experiencing a meth overdose, call 911 immediately. Stay with the person until help arrives. There is no antidote for a stimulant overdose, but rapid medical care may be life-saving.
Using meth regularly can build dependence, which means the body has become accustomed to the presence of meth and requires it to function. If you stop using meth abruptly, withdrawal may occur.
Meth withdrawal doesn’t have life-threatening symptoms like alcohol or benzo withdrawal, but it’s still an intense and uncomfortable process that may have complications. Some of the meth withdrawal symptoms include:[8]
Meth addiction can be difficult to overcome, but help is available. Often, the first step is medical detox, which offers round-the-clock care and support to help you detox safely and manage your systems.
Detox is an important step in the process, but it may not be enough. It’s important to address the psychological and emotional aspects of addiction, which can be done with a comprehensive addiction treatment program. While treatment plans are individualized, they may include behavioral therapies, group counseling, individual therapy, support groups, treatment for co-occurring disorders like meth abuse and mental illness, and more.
Not all meth use leads to addiction, but meth is a highly addictive and dangerous drug. If you or a loved one is struggling with methamphetamine abuse or addiction, seek treatment as soon as possible to avoid dangerous and potentially irreversible effects.
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Meth’s effects may last 2-6 hours with smoking or 6-8 hours with injection.[9] Snorting or swallowing the drug can have effects that last 12 hours or longer.[10] However, it can vary from person to person based on many factors.
Meth use brings a high feeling with a lot of energy and positive emotions. However, as the high wears off, these feelings are often replaced with equally intense negative feelings like paranoia, depression, and anxiety. This is known as the “comedown” and contributes to the binge behaviors to return to the euphoric state.[11] It’s possible to see or hear things that aren’t there or go into psychosis.
Yes. While some people may combine meth with other drugs to boost the effects or get a different experience, it can be extremely dangerous. Mixing meth with other stimulants strains the central nervous system, heart, and other organ systems. Conversely, mixing meth with depressants like opioids or alcohol can cause the drugs to amplify the effects or mask them, increasing the risk of overdose or other complications.
Overamping is a term used to describe meth speeding up the central nervous system too much. This can cause symptoms like spikes in blood pressure, extremely high body temperature, fast or irregular heartbeat, extreme anxiety or panic, extreme paranoia, aggression, restlessness, and psychosis.[12] Overamping can be deadly and may require medical attention.
Meth mouth refers to the effects the drug has on the mouth. People on meth tend to grind their teeth and skip their dental hygiene routine, leading to tooth decay and gum disease. In severe cases, people who use meth chronically may have teeth that fall out, break easily, or turn black and rot.
Track marks are scars that form in the veins when drugs are injected intravenously. You may also see bruises around injection sites or low blood flow through injured veins.
[1,2,3,4] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2024b, November 22). Methamphetamine. National Institutes of Health. Retrieved from https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/methamphetamine on 2024, October 20.
[5] Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). (n.d.). SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF METHAMPHETAMINE USE. https://dhs.saccounty.gov/BHS/Documents/SUPT/Methamphetamine/Coalition-2019/MA-ADS-2019-10-09-Meth-Coalition–Signs-of-Meth-Use.pdf on 2024, October 20.
[6] Stimulant use disorder. PsychDB. (2024a, July 25). Retrieved from https://www.psychdb.com/addictions/stimulants/1-use-disorder on 2024, October 20.
[7] Harding, R. W., Wagner, K. T., Fiuty, P., Smith, K. P., Page, K., & Wagner, K. D. (2022, January 16). “it’s called overamping”: Experiences of overdose among people who use methamphetamine. Harm reduction journal. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8762891/ on 2024, October 20.
[8] MediLexicon International. (n.d.). Meth withdrawal symptoms: Duration, treatment, and support. Medical News Today. Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/meth-withdrawal-symptoms on 2024, October 20.
[9,10,11,12] Couper, F. J., Logan, B. K., National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington State PatrolForensic Laboratory Services Bureau, Michael Corbett Ph.D., Laurel Farrell MS., Marilyn Huestis Ph.D., Wayne Jeffrey MS, Jan Raemakers, Ph.D., & James F.Frank Ph.D. (2014). Drugs and Human Performance fact sheets. https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/809725-drugshumanperformfs.pdf on 2024, October 20.