Recovery is Possible
What is Meth?
Methamphetamine, or meth, is a highly addictive synthetic stimulant. It affects the central nervous system by dramatically elevating dopamine levels much higher than the body normally uses. This produces a temporary high that can’t be replicated by healthy sources or even other drugs. This wears off quickly and is replaced with severe withdrawal symptoms, so individuals using meth will often begin taking meth every couple of hours to maintain the high. This can lead to an individual using meth for days without food or sleep.
In addition to being highly addictive, meth has a dangerous effect on the body. If too much meth is taken on its own, it can cause a life-threatening overdose. Meth can also be laced with fentanyl or xylazine, which makes it more lethal.
How does meth affect my health?
Short-Term Effects
- Euphoria, or pleasurable sense of well being and bliss
- Increased alertness, focus, and attention
- Increased activity, excitement, and energy
- Increased talkativeness
- Increased blood pressure
- Increased body temperature
- Faster breathing
- Faster or irregular heartbeat
- Heavy sweating
- Loss of appetite
- Disturbed sleep patterns
- Nausea
- Erratic, aggressive, irritable, or violent behavior
Long-Term Effects
- Addiction
- Permanent damage to the heart and brain
- High blood pressure leading to heart attacks
- Liver, kidney, and lung damage
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Paranoia
- Mood disturbances
- Hallucinations
- Violent, aggressive behavior
- Premature osteoporosis
- Severe dental problems
- Increased risk of stroke and Parkison's disease
Did You Know?
people use meth every year.
Source: SAMHSA.GOV
try meth for the first time every day.
Source: SAMHSA.GOV
people aged 12 and over have used meth at least once in their lifetime.
Source: NIDA.NIH.GOV
meth pills were seized by the DEA in 2023.
Source: WHITEHOUSE.GOV
of the overdose deaths in 2022 were caused by meth.
Source: DEA.GOV
died from a meth overdose in 2021.
Source: NIDA.NIH.GOV
Native Americans
consistently have higher overdose death rates from meth compared to other racial or ethnic groups.
Source: NIDA.NIH.GOV
Warning Signs
Rapid increase in heart rate and blood pressure
Rapid increase in body temperature to high levels
Pain, pressure, or tightness in center of chest
Trouble staying awake or unable to wake up
Sudden difficulty or inability to move or walk
Numbness or weakness in face, arms, or legs
Sudden and severe headache with no known cause
Seizures, shaking, or other involuntary movements
Confusion, mood swings, and altered mental state
Save a Life
Call 911 Immediately
The individual in crisis will need medical attention, even if they appear to have recovered. This is especially important if the individual:
- Loses consciousness
- Stops breathing or can’t breathe effectively, especially after a seizure
- Has a high body temperature
- Has a seizure that lasts longer than 5 minutes
- Has multiple seizures in a row
- Is experiencing a seizure for the very first time
- Has injuries that require medical attention
- Shows any sign of a stroke, including:
- Numbness in the face, arms, or legs
- Sudden and severe headaches
- Blurred vision
- Shows any sign of a heart attack or cardiac arrest, including:
- Pain, pressure, or squeezing sensations in the center of the chest
- Discomfort in the neck, arms, jaw, back, or stomach
- Shortness of breath, lightheadedness, nausea, fatigue, or cold sweats
- Asks you to call
Administer Naloxone If You Suspect Opioids Are Involved
While naloxone won’t stop meth overdose symptoms, it will reverse overdose symptoms due to any opioids that may have been mixed in with the meth. It won’t harm the individual if there are no opioids involved, so it is best to give naloxone if you suspect opioids are involved.
Start by administering one dose of naloxone to the individual. Wait 2-3 minutes to see if breathing returns to normal. If not, continue administering naloxone until breathing returns to normal or until emergency services arrive.
Stay with the Individual Until Emergency Services Arrive
If it is safe to do so, de-escalate the situation by creating a safe place to monitor the individual and reducing external stimulation like excessive noise and touching. This will promote calm and recovery for the individual. Helping them with breathing exercises or accompanying them outside for fresh air may also help. Remember to stay in the vicinity until emergency services arrive.
Help the Individual Avoid Overheating
If it is safe to do so, move the individual away from crowded areas and have them lay down. Provide water or a sports drink to help them stay hydrated and lower their body temperature. If available, apply cool washcloths or ice packs wrapped in a towel to the armpits, torso, wrist, neck, or groin area to help the individual cool down faster. Avoid cooling the individual too fast or making the individual shiver.
Remain Calm In Case of a Seizure
Talk to them calmly to let them know what is happening and what you or others are doing. If possible, help the person lie down safely without falling or hitting their head. Remove nearby objects, including eyeglasses, to reduce the risk of injury from sudden, involuntary movements. Don’t put anything in their mouth or between their teeth. Do not try to restrain the person’s movement.
What is the difference between a stimulant overdose and an opioid overdose?
Meth overdose looks different than opioid overdose. However, opioids like fentanyl are often used alongside or even laced into meth. This means that an individual may also show opioid overdose symptoms in addition to stimulant overdose symptoms. If you think someone is overdosing, regardless of the drug being used, call 911 immediately. Administer naloxone if you suspect an opioid overdose.
Stimulant Overdose
- Usually conscious
- Breathing quickly
- Dilated pupils
- Racing or irregular heartbeat
- Chest pain
- Heart attack
- Tremors, seizures, or convulsions
- Overheating or sweating
Opioid Overdose
- Non-responsive or unconscious
- Dangerously slow or no breathing, choking, snoring, or gurgling sounds
- Small, constricted pupils
- Faint heartbeat
- Limp body
- Cold and/or clammy skin
- Pale, blue, or purple skin (especially in lips and nails)
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do people have trouble quitting meth?
In addition to extremely high feeling of pleasure, meth causes extremely uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. These can start as soon as 24 hours after the individual last used meth, and they can last up to 2-3 weeks. Some symptoms, such as psychosis, can last months or years after using meth.
What are the withdrawal symptoms for meth?
Withdrawal symptoms vary from individual to individual. The length and severity can also depend on various factors, including how long the individual has used meth, the method of use, how often they use meth, and so on. Symptoms can include:
- Intense drug cravings
- Inability to feel pleasure
- Mood swings
- Increased appetite and weight gain
- Dehydration
- Mental and physical fatigue
- Insomnia followed by excessive sleepiness
- Inability to concentrate
- Psychosis, which includes:
- Delusions
- Hallucinations
- Paranoia
- Repetitive motor activity
- Anxiety
- Anger, irritability, and aggression
- Depression
- Suicidal thoughts
How do I know if someone is using meth?
Signs that someone you know is using meth include physical signs such as:
- Deteriorating appearance
- Decreased fatigue
- Heavy sweating not relating to heat or physical activity
- Dental problems
- Staying awake for days, then sleeping for days
- Dilated pupils, even when outside or in a brightly lit room
- Body odor that smells like ammonia (which smells like cat urine)
- Burn marks on fingers and mouth
- Decreased appetite and unhealthy weight loss
- Jerky, erratic movements, twitching, facial tics, or animated or exaggerated mannerisms
Someone using meth will also show significant changes in behavior, such as:
- Nervous or obsessive scratching of the skin or hair
- Irritability, angry outbursts, or mood swings
- Paranoia with concerns about being watched
- Hallucinations, usually of bugs underneath the skin
- Compulsive, frantic, and repetitive behavior such as cleaning, grooming, or disassembling objects
- Violent, aggressive behavior
- Talking about being in danger, even though there is no danger present
- Borrowing money often, selling possessions, or stealing
How can I help someone quit meth?
The sooner you can reach out and get the individual the help they need, the better their recovery will go. These tips may help you in your efforts to reach out.
- Understand how methamphetamine works and what the risks of meth are.
- Wait until the individual is sober and pick a safe place to talk. Avoid confronting the individual while they are high.
- Listen to the individual and reserve judgment.
- Reach out to trained, professional help. Don’t try to help the individual recover on your own.
- Keep reaching out.
- Show support, especially during recovery.
Are there medications to help someone quit using meth?
From the National Institute on Drug Abuse:
“Although medications have proven effective in treating some substance use disorders, there are currently no medications that counteract the specific effects of methamphetamine or that prolong abstinence from and reduce the misuse of methamphetamine by an individual addicted to the drug.”
Where can I find treatment and recovery options?
LOCAL Treatment and Recovery Resources
The MAT Clinic program through the Lac Courte Oreilles (LCO) Community Health Center is a whole-person approach that provides effective treatment for substance use disorder. While there is not medication available to help with treatment or recovery, the MAT Clinic provides counseling and behavior therapy to effectively treat substance use disorder.
National Treatment and Recovery Resources
The most comprehensive collection of recovery resources is through FindTreatment.gov.
