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Short & Long-Term Effects of Meth Addiction

Methamphetamine is a powerful stimulant drug with a wide range of profoundly negative health effects. While a very mild form of methamphetamines is sold as a prescription medication known as Desoxyn®, it is more commonly known as an illegal street drug that goes by slang terms like meth, crystal meth, Tina, or ice.1 This form of meth can be ingested in various ways, though whether it is smoked, snorted, injected, or taken orally, meth impacts the body and mind in profound ways, leading to serious health risks, addiction among them. Understanding the risks of using meth is critical to combating meth addiction and its devastating consequences.

Short-Term Effects of Meth Use

The short-term effects of methamphetamines can be felt at any point between immediately and 20 minutes after use, depending on how it is ingested. If the substance is smoked or injected, it quickly enters the bloodstream to produce an intense “rush” of euphoria. This rush wears off nearly as quickly, leading inevitably to a “crash.”   

Some people try to avoid the crash by repeatedly taking meth in a binge pattern. Of course, this repeated use of meth increases the risk of developing methamphetamine use disorder, or addiction. It also increases the risk of meth overdose, which can be fatal.1 

Common short-term effects of using meth include:1,2  

  • Nausea  
  • Wakefulness 
  • Confidence 
  • Energy 
  • Increased sex drive 
  • Increased blood pressure  
  • Decreased appetite 
  • Paranoia 
  • Anxiety 
  • Rapid or irregular heartbeat 
  • Irritability and aggression 
  • Erratic or violent behavior

Meth Overdose Signs

Methamphetamine overdose can be categorized in one of two ways: acute or chronic. An acute meth overdose occurs when the user takes the drug and experiences side effects, some of which can be life threatening. Chronic meth overdose refers to the long-term health effects that someone who uses the drug regularly might experience.3  

Meth overdose, also known colloquially as “overamping,” becomes more likely when the user has not slept, eaten enough food, or is dehydrated. The risk of overdose also increases if the user combines meth with other substances like alcohol or heroin. Fentanyl-laced meth also increases the risk of fatal overdose. The signs and symptoms of meth overdose include:4 

  • Sweating 
  • Dizziness 
  • Increase body temperature 
  • Racing heart rate 
  • Nausea or Vomiting 
  • Severe headache 
  • Dark urine 
  • Slurring or jumbled speech 
  • Lack of mobility 
  • Shaking 
  • Chest pain 
  • Difficulty or slowed breathing 
  • Coma 
  • Blue or gray skin, lips 

                            If you believe someone is experiencing meth overdose, or if the user has collapsed, had a seizure, is experiencing trouble breathing, or can’t be woken up, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. Stay with that person until medical help arrives and be prepared to give information about the amount and kind of substances the person took.

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                                                  Long-Term Effects of Meth Addiction

                                                  Methamphetamine affects many of the body’s organs and systems and, if used with the type of frequency typical of meth addiction, can have many negative long-term health consequences. 

                                                  The different methods of meth use come with their own unique health risks. For instance, when meth is snorted and absorbed through blood vessels in the nasal passages, the risk of nosebleeds and loss of the sense of smell is increased. When meth is smoked, damage to the lungs can occur, including pulmonary granulomatosis or inflammation of the blood vessels in the lungs, as well as bronchospasm or tightening airways in the lungs.  

                                                  Long-term effects of using meth include: 1, 2   

                                                  • Anxiety 
                                                  • Confusion 
                                                  • Insomnia 
                                                  • Wild mood swings 
                                                  • Methamphetamine use disorder 
                                                  • Symptoms of psychosis, including paranoia, hallucinations, and delusions (even when not intoxicated) 
                                                  • Decreased cognitive function 
                                                  • Increased risk of cardiovascular events (stroke, heart failure) 
                                                  • Liver, kidney, and lung damage

                                                  Other Health Risks of Meth Addiction

                                                  Long-term use of meth can lead to severe health consequences. Even after people stop taking meth, these consequences can linger. Development of skin sores from scratching is also one of the long-term effects of meth use. Long-term meth use can also raise the risk of developing premature osteoporosis.2 

                                                  When meth is used via shared injection equipment, the risk of acquiring HIV, viral hepatitis, or bacterial infections such as infective endocarditis (heart infection) is increased. Tooth decay and tooth loss are also common health consequences among long-term meth users, so much so that it has led to the slang term “meth mouth.”1 

                                                                  Meth Addiction Treatment in Atlanta, GA

                                                                  We at Empowered Recovery Center in Atlanta know that recovery from meth addiction can be challenging, requiring courage and commitment. Our meth addiction treatment programs in Atlanta are designed to help you make this lasting change in your life.  

                                                                  We offer a variety of rehab programs tailored to fit your needs, including outpatient (OP) treatment, partial hospitalization programs (PHP), and intensive outpatient (IOP) treatment. We also offer one full year of recovery coaching at no cost to help you keep working toward the life you deserve. 

                                                                  The Empowered Recovery Center admissions team can answer any questions you have about our programs, the costs of addiction treatment, or paying for rehab with insurance. If you’d like to learn more about our drug and alcohol rehab in Atlanta, call us or verify your insurance benefits online.

                                                                  References

                                                                  1. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2024). Methamphetamine. National Institutes of Health. Retrieved December 11, 2024, from https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/methamphetamine 
                                                                  2. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (2023). Learn About Methamphetamine. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Retrieved December 15, 2024, from https://www.samhsa.gov/meth 
                                                                  3. Mount Sinai. (2024). Methamphetamine overdose. Mount Sinai. Retrieved December 12, 2024, from https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/poison/methamphetamine-overdose
                                                                  4. Oregon Health Authority, Public Health Division. (2022). A Quick Introduction to Methamphetamine Overdose (Overamping) for Public Health Professionals. Oregon Health Authority. Retrieved December 15, 2024, from https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/HEALTHYENVIRONMENTS/TRACKINGASSESSMENT/ENVIRONMENTALHEALTHASSESSMENT/Documents/Methamphetamine-Overdose-Overview_Oregon_Dec2022.pdf

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