Methamphetamine Meth Overdose: OD Symptoms, Managing a Crisis & Treatment

Some people exhibit violent behavior when they have taken too much meth. For information about the impact of drug addiction in the United States, visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) website. “DEA warns of methamphetamine and fentany[…]COVID-19 in New York,” January 26, 2021. Doctors may administer a crystalloid intravenously to eliminate the drug through the urine. Crystalloids are mineral salts and other small, water-soluble molecules.

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Once medical personnel arrives, they will usually give the overdose victim a combination of activated charcoal and other medications to reverse the effects of meth while they take them to the ER. Depending on the severity of the overdose, the individual may need to stay in the hospital for a few days before attending rehab. People who have been taking meth for some time have already suffered irreversible damage to their cardiovascular system that puts them at risk for death.

Steps to Take if Someone Overdoses on Meth

These could be telltale signs that a person has taken too much meth. Because meth is so strong, overdose signs may be evident more quickly than with other drugs. People who use meth for a long period of time experience many negative health outcomes as a result of their long-term use.

Crystal Meth Overdose Symptoms, Risks and Treatment

You consent to receive SMS notifications and promotions from Addictionresource. Meth overdose can occur at varying doses, depending on factors like user tolerance, purity of the drug, and concurrent use of other substances. There is no set meth lethal dose as it varies based on individual tolerance, method of use, purity, and presence of other substances. Get professional help from an online addiction and mental health counselor from BetterHelp. Enter your phone number below to receive a free and confidential call from a treatment provider.

1. It is sometimes used as a second-line treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and obesity; however, methamphetamine is better known as a recreational drug.
2. Methamphetamine can be bought as either a powder form or in crystal form called crystal meth.
3. We cannot guarantee payment or verification eligibility as conveyed by your health insurance provider will be accurate and complete.
4. Considering that crystal meth toxicity is not always dose-dependent, and the drug can accumulate in the body over extended periods, a meth overdose can happen unexpectedly with little warning.
5. This drug produces intense euphoria and stimulant effects similar to cocaine.

Various factors can influence an individual’s susceptibility to a methamphetamine overdose, including tolerance, route of administration, presence of other substances, and overall health. Anyone with a methamphetamine substance use disorder is at a high risk of overdose. By recognizing the side https://sober-home.org/detox-and-treatment/ effects and signs of meth use, you may be able to intervene and prevent a meth overdose from occurring. Treatment can help people overcome chronic methamphetamine abuse that can lead to overdose. At meth addiction treatment, clients receive evidence-based care that fits their specific needs.

What happens when someone overdoses on meth?

While methamphetamine has similar effects to amphetamines, it is more addictive and comes with a range of dangerous side effects. Death is the most serious negative consequence of a meth overdose. A June 2017 report from The Conversation states that many of these deaths occur because a person’s heart suddenly stops beating. Some people go on binges, using the drug continuously for several hours or days at a time.

Considering that crystal meth toxicity is not always dose-dependent, and the drug can accumulate in the body over extended periods, a meth overdose can happen unexpectedly with little warning. If you or someone you love is struggling with meth use, know help is available. There are many treatment programs and therapies that help to treat stimulant use disorders.

The street drug is usually a white crystal-like powder, called “crystal meth.” This powder can be snorted up the nose, smoked, swallowed, or dissolved and injected into a vein. The way meth is ingested affects the rate of addiction and likelihood of experiencing an overdose. An overdose involving meth is a medical emergency and can result in life-threatening situations without proper medical interventions.

Psychostimulants with abuse potential include both illegal drugs, such as cocaine, methamphetamine, and ecstasy, as well as prescription stimulants. While all psychostimulants are stimulants, not all stimulants are considered psychostimulants. Meth overdoses cause a sudden increase in blood pressure that can lead to internal bleeding and liver failure from contaminants in the drug. In a meth overdose, multiple organ failure can occur from a deadly combination of high blood pressure and chemical contamination. One of the reasons why methamphetamine is so toxic and dangerous to users is because the drug is made out of a range of harsh, synthetic chemicals. Industrial cleaners, solvents, and even animal poisons are used to make methamphetamine in illegal labs around the world.

Another telling symptom of meth use is “tweaking” – a period of anxiety and insomnia that can last for 3 to 15 days. Tweaking occurs at the end of a drug binge when a person using meth can’t achieve a rush or high any longer. Tweaking can cause psychological side effects, such as paranoia, irritability, and confusion due to the desperation to use again. Tweaking from meth can also cause people to experience hallucinations and become prone to violent behavior.

Cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational incentives have shown effectiveness in treating meth addiction. CBT assists people in recognizing, avoiding and coping with situations that lead to drug use, while motivational incentives use rewards to promote sobriety. Be cautious around a person who appears extremely excited or paranoid. If the person is experiencing a seizure, gently hold the back of his or her head to prevent injury. You can also turn the person’s head to the side to reduce the risk of choking on vomit. It cannot be stressed enough that medical care is essential in reducing the risk of serious medical complications during and after a meth overdose.

Chronic long-term methamphetamine use can be highly addictive, and if it is discontinued abruptly, it might lead to withdrawal symptoms that can be persistent for months after use. If someone suspects a loved one is overdosing on meth, they mustn’t leave the person unattended. Call 911 and wait with the individual for medical personnel to arrive. If they appear unconscious, do not leave them lying on their back. People who go into a coma from a drug overdose can vomit and asphyxiate while unconscious. In this instance, it’s best to get the person onto their side.

Health officials credited a dramatic increase in community distribution of naloxone, a medication that can rescue people from an opioid overdose. The use of methamphetamine in higher doses can induce psychosis, bleeding in the brain, skeletal muscle breakdown, and seizures. Moreover, it can cause violent behavior, mood swings, and psychosis such as paranoia, delirium, auditory and visual hallucination, and delusions when used chronically. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

The serious health risks of using meth are widely known, yet many people still experiment with the drug. The euphoric rush that causes so many to use methamphetamine is caused by the release of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Meth is more dangerous than other stimulants because a larger percentage of the drug remains unchanged in the body and stays present in the brain longer. The drug is toxic to nerve terminals in the brain and meth can destroy the brain cell synapses where dopamine is released, causing mood disturbances and dependence on the drug. In addition to behavioral changes, chronic meth use can also cause irreversible damage to bodily systems and blood vessels in the brain, which can result in a stroke.

If someone is experiencing a meth overdose, immediate medical attention is needed. Contact 911 right away if the person exhibits one or more of https://sober-home.org/ these signs. First-time meth users are at a particularly high risk for experiencing an overdose because their bodies are not used to the drug.

If a person survives a meth overdose, it’s vital that they have access to effective addiction treatment. People who overdose on methamphetamine exhibit a number of signs. These physical, psychological and behavioral effects can indicate that an overdose has occurred. It is important to be aware of these signs if you know someone who abuses meth. Our writers and reviewers are experienced professionals in medicine, addiction treatment, and healthcare.

Knowing how to treat someone experiencing a meth overdose can mean the difference between life and death. Drug detoxification can be a helpful “next step” after a meth overdose. In medical detox programs, people suffering from meth addiction are provided with support and medication-assisted treatment therapies.