Trends in overdose deaths related to stimulants other than cocaine have risen sharply, and meth is one of the primary causes.
That said, not everyone who uses methamphetamine will become addicted. But those that do will require professional help to avert or recover from harmful effects such as overdose.
Luxe Recovery can offer those struggling with methamphetamine addiction the help and support they need to overcome addiction and live sober, healthy lives.
What Is Methamphetamine?
Methamphetamine, also known as meth or crystal meth, is a highly addictive central nervous system stimulant. It can produce intense euphoria and increased energy and sharpen a user’s focus. Despite these seemingly positive effects, methamphetamine use can come with several serious and unwanted effects.
In the United States, the use of meth is tightly regulated, and it is listed as a Schedule II controlled substance by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration.
What Causes a Methamphetamine Overdose?
In the plainest terms possible, what causes a meth overdose is taking too much meth. However, what constitutes too much meth can vary. Some people can take more than others.
A major factor that can drive someone to take too much is tolerance. This is when a person’s body acclimates to the drug, which can dull its effects. This can compel users to take larger amounts of meth to get the high that they want, which can then increase the risk of overdosing on meth.
Another way that an overdose can happen is through binging meth. Some users will regularly take large amounts of meth to maintain their high, which can lead to more of the drug being stored in the body, which can lead to a drug overdose.
The meth itself can be a major factor in overdose. The purer the meth is, the more potent its effects are. If a user is unaware of its potency, they may accidentally overdose on it.
Smoking or injecting meth can deliver the drug to the brain faster, which can intensify its effects and increase the risk of overdose. Mixing meth with other substances, such as alcohol or opioids, can also induce overdose symptoms.
People who have underlying health conditions such as heart problems or high blood pressure are also at greater risk of overdose than other people.
Signs of a Meth Overdose
There are a few signs of meth overdose that a person can look out for. These. signs can include:
Physical Symptoms
Physical symptoms of a meth overdose can include chest pains, high body temperatures, severe headaches, seizures, irregular heart rate, dilated pupils, and profuse sweating.
Mental and Behavioral Signs
Other meth overdose symptoms include belligerence, which can manifest as aggression or even violence towards other people. Many meth users may also become confused or disoriented when in the middle of an overdose. In severe cases of meth overdose, a person may lose consciousness.
Signs of a Meth Overdose
If you suspect that someone has overdosed on meth, then you need to remain calm. They will need medical attention immediately, and unless you’re a trained healthcare professional, you won’t be able to offer the support they need. That does not mean that you cannot help at all. Here are a few things that you can do during a crystal meth overdose:
Call Emergency Services
The most important thing that you can do if a meth overdose occurs is to call emergency services. Provide the operator with as much information as possible about the substances taken, how long they’ve been displaying symptoms, and whatever other details they ask. Make sure to stay on the line with the operator.
Provide First Aid
Staying on the line with the operator is so important because they can instruct you on how to best provide first aid. Generally, it’s best to place someone on their side and cool them down.
Check for a pulse. If you’ve been trained to give CPR, do so if the patient is not breathing.
Stay With the Person
It’s important not to leave a person alone if you suspect that they are overdosing. Monitor their vital signs, such as their heart rate, breathing, and consciousness. Make sure to give emergency medical personnel any and all information you have regarding their condition. This can help the staff at a treatment center better address the situation.
Get Them Help
Once a person is stabilized, it’s important to help them prevent overdosing in the future. This means looking into your options for professional addiction treatment.
Meth Addiction Treatment
A professional treatment program will often include behavioral therapy, group counseling, holistic treatments, and other interventions to help someone get over the use of meth. Patients with severe disorders may need to go to inpatient treatment, whereas patients with mild to moderate disorders can opt for an outpatient program to address their needs.
Regardless of whether a person goes to inpatient or outpatient treatment, they will likely be given mental health care, as many addiction disorders are rooted in mental health conditions.
Get Help for Meth Use Today
Meth addiction can have consequences beyond overdosing. But it should be said that an overdose is one of the worst possible outcomes of using meth. But the other effects can also be devastating.
These effects can be avoided, mitigated, or even mitigated in some cases. But people generally can’t do it themselves. Addiction is a complex disease, and it can often root itself deeply into a person.
Professional intervention is often needed to overcome a dependence on meth. Luxe Recovery can offer the support that people need to recover. If you’re concerned about your meth use or a loved one’s, then contact us now, and we can begin the recovery process. We take most forms of insurance, so you won’t have to worry about that.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Meth Overdose Common?
Meth overdoses are on the rise. That said, the actual rates of meth use have not seen anywhere near the same level of increase as overdoses.
Why Do People Get Addicted to Meth?
Meth can give people a sense of euphoria, often referred to as a high. This high can be extremely pleasurable and motivate people to continuously seek out the drug to use.
What Does Meth Do to a Person’s Body?
Meth can cause significant weight loss. There’s also what is called ‘meth mouth,’ which refers to a series of oral and dental problems caused by meth and ‘meth mites,’ which can lead to excessive scratching.
