Methamphetamine is a potent stimulant that significantly impacts the central nervous system (CNS), which is responsible for regulating essential bodily functions such as breathing and heart rate. The use of meth poses numerous risks, including diminished motor skills, heart-related issues, cognitive impairment, and severe dental problems. Moreover, meth is extremely addictive, often resulting in a substance use disorder (SUD), a persistent and relapsing condition. Given these serious risks, you might be asking: can you overdose on Meth? The answer is yes, and it can occur even with first-time use.
According to The Washington Post, data from 2015 to 2019 indicated that methamphetamine-related overdose deaths nearly tripled, alongside a 43% increase in reported meth use. This alarming trend in meth-related fatalities is partly linked to the concurrent use of opioids. Some individuals mix meth with opioids to mitigate its stimulating effects, but many meth overdoses are due to the unintentional combination with fentanyl. Methamphetamine is often laced with fentanyl or contaminated during its production. Even a mere two mg of fentanyl can be lethal, and even non-fatal doses can pose significant risks when combined with stimulants, as they create conflicting signals in the brain.
A meth overdose can lead to permanent brain damage, physical disabilities, and even death. The only way to prevent a meth overdose is to stop using meth. While overcoming meth addiction can be incredibly difficult due to its high addiction potential, comprehensive meth addiction treatment programs in Oklahoma City are available to assist individuals in breaking free from meth dependency.
What Is Meth and How Does It Affect the Body?
Methamphetamine is an extremely addictive and potent stimulant that accelerates the central nervous system (CNS), producing euphoric effects that can last longer than those of cocaine. Users typically consume meth by smoking, snorting, swallowing, or injecting it. This drug is often manufactured in illegal labs using inexpensive and readily available ingredients, including pseudoephedrine—commonly found in cold medications—along with hazardous substances like paint thinner, acetone, and ammonia.
The effects of meth can differ from person to person, but generally, it induces a prolonged state of heightened energy followed by a significant crash. The surge in dopamine levels creates intense feelings of pleasure and euphoria, compelling users to seek out the experience repeatedly. To avoid the unpleasant comedown, many individuals may engage in binge use. Over time, the body becomes reliant on meth to produce these elevated dopamine levels, leading to a diminished ability to experience pleasure from everyday activities. This disruption of the brain’s natural dopamine system can result in serious mental health issues, including depression and psychosis.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) warns that even small doses of meth can lead to several physical effects, including:
Increased wakefulness. Decreased appetite. Heightened physical activity. Rapid breathing. Elevated heart rate and blood pressure. Hyperthermia, or elevated body temperature.
Is It Possible to Overdose on Meth?
Overdosing on meth is a significant risk, particularly when it is smoked or injected, as these methods produce rapid and intense effects. The drug elevates heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature, potentially resulting in severe health issues like hyperthermia, heart attacks, and strokes.
Indicators of a meth overdose include:
Paranoid or delusional thinking. Chest pain. Increased heart rate or palpitations. Agitation or aggressive behavior. Breathing problems, including stopped breathing. Elevated body temperature, with lots of sweating and red, hot or cold, clammy skin. Confusion. Slurred or jumbled speech. Difficulty waking up. Blue or purple lips or fingers.
What Causes a Meth Overdose?
An overdose from meth typically results from too much meth in the body, which can result in life-threatening situations. The intense stimulating effects of meth can cause a toxic reaction to the drug, resulting in life-threatening cardiovascular events such as stroke and heart attack. Additionally, meth can cause the body temperature to rise to dangerous levels, which can lead to organ failure. The likelihood of overdose increases significantly when meth is combined with other stimulants, such as ecstasy and cocaine.
Many fatalities related to meth overdoses also involve opioids, including fentanyl and heroin. Some users intentionally mix depressants and stimulants to balance each other’s effects. Unfortunately, drug dealers have started adulterating meth with fentanyl, raising the risk of accidental overdoses, as even tiny amounts of fentanyl can be lethal. Additionally, combining meth with opioids can produce more intense, hazardous, and unpredictable reactions due to the conflicting signals sent to the brain.
How to Treat a Meth Overdose?
If someone is showing signs of an overdose, it is crucial to act quickly. DrugRx recommends taking the following steps:
Call 911 and get emergency medical assistance. Try to wake the person up or keep them awake by vigorously rubbing their chest over the breastbone with your fist. If they do not wake up, check for a pulse and start CPR immediately if you do not feel one. 911 operators can guide you through it if you are not CPR-certified. If you have Narcan (naloxone) available, administer it, as it can counteract the effects of opioids if they are present in the person’s system. It’s important to remember that using Narcan when opioids are not involved is safe; it simply won’t reverse the overdose. Stay with the individual until help arrives, and be honest with the 911 dispatchers and paramedics. The information you provide could be critical for their survival.
For those who have survived a drug overdose, seeking treatment for meth addiction in Oklahoma City is vital. Meth addiction can be incredibly powerful, and even a life-threatening experience may not be enough to stop someone from using. However, recovery from meth addiction is achievable, and it is the only way to prevent future overdoses.
Avoid a Meth Overdose with Beginnings Recovery
Methamphetamine use can lead to extremely harmful consequences. So, is it possible to overdose on meth? Absolutely, and an overdose can result in irreversible brain damage or even death. The good news is that you can prevent a meth overdose by stopping its use. However, the grip of meth addiction can create an overwhelming urge to continue using, making it incredibly challenging to quit, even when aware of the serious short- and long-term repercussions. With appropriate professional assistance, anyone can break free from meth dependency, regardless of how long they have struggled with it.
Beginnings Recovery in Oklahoma City offers flexible and comprehensive outpatient programs for meth addiction treatment. Our distinctive approach combines holistic healing techniques with evidence-based therapies to address the impact of meth on the body, mind, and spirit.
The devastating effects of meth can also trigger or worsen mental health issues, often pushing individuals to keep using. At Beginnings Recovery, we provide dual diagnosis treatment that tackles both mental health disorders and substance use disorders concurrently. These programs help patients recognize the link between their mental health and meth abuse, equipping them with strategies to manage their mental health symptoms effectively. Furthermore, our outpatient meth addiction treatment allows individuals to receive structured care while living at home, enabling them to fulfill personal and work obligations, alleviating some of the stress associated with addiction treatment.
Beginnings Recovery works with various insurance providers, including Blue Cross Blue Shield and Sooner Care, which may help cover some or all of your treatment expenses. To discover more about our tailored treatment programs, contact us at 405-724-8740 today.
External Links
The Washington Post – Meth Overdose Deaths in the U.S. Almost Tripled from 2015 to 2019
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) – Methamphetamine
GoodRx – What Are the Signs of a Meth Overdose? Here’s When to Call 911