Meth Overdose

Learn about meth overdose, its symptoms, and treatment options.

What Is Meth Overdose?

Meth Overdose

The word “overdose” is a somewhat familiar term these days. But what exactly is an overdose? An overdose is when the body is exposed to too much of a particular chemical/drug or combination of drugs. An overdose might be a result of deliberate or accidental causes. There is a wide range of substances people can overdose on, such as alcohol, illicit drugs, and pharmaceuticals.

Methamphetamine (also known as meth or crystal, speed, and ice) is a white, crystalline powder that is odorless and is very soluble in water and alcohol.1 Methamphetamine is a very effective stimulant of the central nervous system (CNS) with a high addiction profile.1

Methamphetamine, just like amphetamine, induces a positive sense of well-being or euphoria, as well as an increase in activity and excitability. It’s also a more effective stimulant. Its effect on the central nervous system is also prolonged and more severe than amphetamine. However, this particular activity it possesses makes it a target for drug abuse.

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Can You Overdose on Meth?

Methamphetamine is classified as a schedule 2 drug. This indicates that it’s a drug with a high potential for abuse/misuse. This also means that the only way to obtain meth legally is through a nonrefillable prescription.1 Methamphetamine has been used medically to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and short-term weight loss. However, it should be noted that despite this fact, it is rarely prescribed, and even when it is, the prescribed dose is a lot less than the doses associated with drug misuse/abuse.1

That being said, methamphetamine overdose (a.k.a crystal meth overdose) quite literally refers to too much meth in the body system — way more than the body can handle.

The Impact of Meth Abuse

Overdose on meth is lethal in many circumstances; however, most people who overdose on meth can be rescued if care is given quickly. As earlier stated, the use of meth results in producing a strong euphoric surge. This particular feeling is quite addictive, and people who use meth often find themselves “craving” the feeling again. This, of course, results in repeated misuse/abuse of the drug.2
Dependence on the drug can develop over time due to reduced sensitivity to the effects it produces (increased tolerance). Therefore, people who use meth will frequently need to raise their standard dose as tolerance develops to attain the intended high. This is particularly hazardous since an overdose can occur if a user takes too much meth.

How Much Meth Does It Take to Overdose?

Usually, crystal meth overdose occurs with doses ranging from 100mg – 5g. However, it should be noted that other factors such as the user’s weight, general health, and tolerance may also play a part in establishing the actual dose required for an overdose on meth to occur. The purity of the ingested meth also plays a role in determining the severity of the overdose.

Meth Overdose Types

Generally, a meth overdose can be classified as acute or chronic. However, this usually depends on the form of the overdose.
  • Acute Meth Overdose: Acute crystal meth overdose is characterized by a severe adverse/unpleasant reaction that introduces too much drug into the body at once. In certain situations, acute overdoses can be lethal. People suffering from acute methamphetamine intoxication are frequently agitated, posing a safety concern to themselves and everyone around them.3
  • Chronic Meth Overdose: A chronic crystal meth overdose, on the other hand, refers to health complications arising as a result of long-term methamphetamine misuse/abuse.

Meth Overdose Symptoms

Whether acute or chronic, crystal meth overdose is always accompanied by severe symptoms and effects. This is also true in methamphetamine overdose situations.

Signs And Symptoms of Acute Meth Overdose

Signs and symptoms commonly associated with acute meth overdose include the following:
  • Elevated blood pressure (hypertension)
  • Heart attack
  • Irregular heart rate
  • Enlarged pupils
  • Fever/high body temperature
  • Agitation
  • Impaired mental function
  • Stomach discomfort
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Paranoia
  • Aggression/excitability
  • Stroke
  • Psychotic episodes
  • Suicidal tendencies
  • Seizures
  • Coma
  • Irritability

Signs And Symptoms of Chronic Meth Overdose

The meth overdose signs usually occur due to the accumulation of the effects of several months/years of meth use. Of course, these effects are more extreme/severe and challenging to deal with. These symptoms include:
  • Outbursts of violence/aggression
  • Severe and extreme mood swings
  • Psychosis (involving hallucinations)
  • Considerable weight loss
  • Dental issues
  • Paranoia
  • Anxiety
  • Skin sores and abscesses
  • Severe sleep disturbances (insomnia)

Meth Overdose Side Effects and Risk Factors

Common side effect symptoms of meth overdose include the following:
  • Rotted teeth
  • Stroke
  • Kidney failure
  • Hypertension
  • Impaired mental functioning
  • Convulsions and seizures
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Hallucinations and paranoia
  • Psychosis and anhedonia
Meth Overdose Side Effects
Psychosis and Anhedonia
Chronic drug abusers run a serious risk of developing psychosis and anhedonia (a loss of interest in activities or a diminished ability to appreciate typically pleasurable experiences). In fact, psychosis and anhedonia are among the most common, most characteristic crystal meth overdose symptoms. In addition, some people who use meth report psychotic symptoms such as extreme paranoia and tactile hallucinations in which they feel bugs crawling on their skin.4
Risk Factors
Several factors could increase the risk of meth overdose if present. These factors are:
  • Administration of a combination of meth and other drugs or even alcohol
  • The presence of medical conditions such as hypertension
  • Administration of meth by injection
  • Use of large amounts of the drug to overcome tolerance and achieve "high" states
  • The presence of impurities like fentanyl in meth is also a risk factor

Meth Overdose Treatment

Meth addiction, although troublesome, can be treated. There are special centers (e.g., Concise Recovery) that specialize in managing the signs of meth overdose, meth overdose symptoms, and addiction cases.

Meth Overdose Treatment Program at Concise Recovery
The most crucial step to complete recovery from methamphetamine overdose and prevention is addressing meth addiction problems. Dealing with meth addiction can be difficult and frustrating, even more so when there isn’t professional help for a family member or loved one addicted to meth. So why not let a qualified, experienced, and highly skilled team help you?

Concise Recovery has crystal meth detox centers operated by highly-skilled staff that are available all day and every day to answer any questions you may have and offer specialized help to you or your loved one that needs help.

Detoxification

Detox is frequently the first and most crucial stage in a complete addiction treatment program, depending on the severity of the addiction. The detox process allows your body to eliminate toxic and undesired substances from your system swiftly and safely, allowing you to begin a therapy program without being distracted by cravings or withdrawal symptoms.

In addition, your treatment team may administer medicine during detox to help minimize the severity of withdrawal symptoms due to drug dose lowering (tapering) or complete stopping. At the Concise Recovery detox program, you’ll have access to highly trained medical staff responsible for monitoring you and assuring your safety throughout the procedure.

Therapy And Counseling
Since methamphetamine overdose and addiction are both medical and psychological problems, the importance of proper counseling and therapy can’t be overemphasized. Also, because all addictions are unique to the individual, your treatment for meth overdose has to be as well.

That’s why at Concise Healing, you’ll also have access to therapy and counseling sessions tailored to your needs. These personalized therapy and counseling sessions are usually done after detoxification when withdrawal symptoms of meth overdose have reduced.

At therapy, meth patients are taught and helped to function without meth. They are also counseled on the best ways to deal with temptation.
Support Groups

Several support groups like SMART Recovery and Crystal Meth Anonymous offer needed support and tools to aid you in the crystal meth overdose treatment recovery process.

Concise recovery has recorded several positive reviews from former patients and their loved ones.
Get Help Now
Dealing with meth addiction can be difficult and frustrating, even more so when there isn’t professional help for a family member or loved one addicted to meth. So why not let a qualified, experienced, and highly skilled team help you?

Concise Recovery has crystal meth detox centers operated by highly-skilled staff that is available all day and every day to answer any questions you may have and offer specialized help to you or your loved one that needs help.

Resources
  1. https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/methamphetamine/what-methamphetamine
  2. https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/methamphetamine
  3. https://meth-toxicity.uoguelph.ca/treatment/
  4. https://www.webmd.com/depression/what-is-anhedonia