Meth overdose can be frightening and dangerous. Acute meth overdose symptoms can be physical, psychological, and even deadly. It is important to seek professional medical treatment when experiencing or witnessing a meth overdose. In this post, Avenues Recovery, leading addiction rehabilitation specialists, provides a guide defining meth, meth overdose symptoms, and the required treatment.
What Is Meth?
Methamphetamine (or meth) is an illegal and highly addictive stimulant that affects the central nervous system (CNS) of the body. Other names for meth include:
- Crystal
- Ice
- Crank
- Speed
- Tina
- Tweak
- Chalk
- Blue
Meth can be ingested in a multitude of ways, such as:
- Injecting
- Smoking
- Swallowing
- Snorting
Meth is an aphrodisiac used for the sudden euphoria it induces. It has a crystal or glass-like physical appearance. A weaker form of the drug, often prescribed by medical professionals, is called amphetamine, and treats symptoms of ADHD, narcolepsy, and weight loss.
Can You Overdose on Meth?
Overdosing on meth is possible and depends on the amount of drug used and the person’s medical and drug use history. Overdose is the most lethal risk of using meth.
There are two types of meth overdose that one should be aware of: acute meth overdose and chronic meth overdose.
Acute overdose is when a person experiences signs of overdose shortly after taking meth. Chronic overdose is attributed to the long-term side effects experienced by someone who regularly takes meth, and occurs over a longer time than acute overdose.
Can Meth Kill You?
Overdose on meth can be extremely dangerous and even deadly. When someone overdoses on meth, they require immediate medical attention. The most common effect of meth overdose which leads to death is uncontrolled heatstroke, which can cause organ failure without immediate medical intervention. Therefore, it is very important to be cautious when using this drug as meth overdose can be fatal.
Meth Overdose Symptoms
The symptoms of meth overdose are quite similar to symptoms of being high on meth. However, when one is high the symptoms are much more elevated/intense. This can be very dangerous as the user may not recognize that they can overdose on meth or that they are experiencing an overdose.
Meth overdose symptoms include:
- Intense, rapid, or irregular heartbeat
- Chest pain or confusion (signs of potential stroke)
- Elevated body temperature
- Lack of alertness
- Extremely aggressive behavior
- Lack of consciousness
- Paranoia
- Extreme stomach pain
- Personality changes
- Psychosis
In severe cases, methamphetamine overdose symptoms can include:
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Seizures
- Extremes of blood pressure (high or low) which can lead to damaged organs
- Cardiac arrest
How Much Meth Does It Take To Overdose?
Below are some factors that contribute to how much meth causes an overdose:
- Method of ingestion
- Individual’s age
- Individual’s weight
- Individual’s overall mental and emotional health
- Strength of meth
- History of meth use and whether the individual uses other drugs in addition to meth
How to Help Someone Experiencing a Meth Overdose
If someone near you is experiencing a meth overdose, call 911 immediately. Overdose treatment is imperative as the chances of recovery from a meth overdose are dependent on how quickly the patient receives the required medical attention.
If you witness a person experiencing a meth overdose, follow these instructions:
- Call 911 immediately.
- Do not leave the overdosed person alone as they may begin to experience convulsions or seizures.
- In the case of convulsions or seizures, hold the individual’s head to protect them from injuring themselves.
- Move away all sharp objects that can be hazardous to the person.
- Try to keep the person on their side to prevent them from choking.
When emergency responders arrive to treat the overdose, try to be prepared to answer the following questions:
- Individual’s weight and age
- Amount of meth ingested
- Method of meth ingestion
- Duration since the person last took meth
- Any other substances used simultaneously
Amphetamine Overdose
Like methamphetamine, taking too much amphetamine (a legal substance) can also cause an overdose.
Amphetamine overdose has two phases: the over-stimulation phase and the depressive phase.
Some common symptoms of the over-stimulation phase may include:
- Increased heart rate
- Increased blood pressure
- Rapid breathing
- Aggression, restlessness, and agitation
- Panic/extreme anxiety
- Blurred vision
- Shakiness
- Hallucinations
Some common symptoms of the depressive phase may include:
- Coma
- Depression
- Muscular pain and abdominal cramps
- Convulsions/seizures
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Weakness
- Major drop in blood pressure
If you see someone displaying these symptoms, call 911 immediately. The Good Samaritan Law provides some legal protection to the person who makes the call.
Meth Overdose Statistics
Overdosing on meth or amphetamine can seriously impact individuals. From 2015 to 2022, overdose deaths involving psychostimulants (mostly meth) increased from approximately 5,716 to 34,022. Risky drug ingestion methods increased in tandem, and researchers have made a correlation between the two statistics.
What Medication Is Used for Meth OD?
Narcan (Naloxone) for drug overdose is a medication used to reverse the effects of meth (or opioid) overdose. Although meth is a stimulant, it is still advised to give Narcan to a person experiencing a meth overdose. This is because the individual often has opioids in their system since drug overdose commonly involves more than one drug. Furthermore, giving the person Narcan will not be detrimental to their health even if it does not have an impact on meth overdose.
Meth Overdose Treatment
Meth overdose treatment options range from cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for addiction, to the Matrix Model and more – based on the individual’s circumstances and needs. Meth rehab is a necessity for those struggling with addiction.
Additionally, there are several fully confidential health hotlines one can contact to get started on the road to recovery:
- Avenues Recovery Center (504)-470–0394
- (SAMHSA) Helpline 1-(800)-662–4357
Recover From Meth Overdose and Addiction
Quitting a meth addiction and recovering from a meth overdose is difficult, yet with proper treatment and guidance, it is possible. At Avenues Recovery, we offer a variety of treatment programs and resources to help you get back to your best self. If you or someone you know is struggling with meth addiction, contact Avenues Recovery and our professionals will be there to guide you. Start your journey to recovery today!