Abusing addictive substances can lead to long-term consequences, including addiction. In very little time, drug addiction can control your life. Instead of deciding what to do with your future, your addiction is in the driver’s seat.
Many drugs have the potential to damage your health, relationships, and emotional well-being. However, some pose an even greater risk of addiction and other severe consequences. One of the most dangerous and destructive drugs of abuse is methamphetamine.
Methamphetamine (meth) is a potent, highly addictive illicit drug. It is dangerous, regardless of how people use it. However, snorting meth has unique risks.
This article will explore the dangers of snorting methamphetamine. You will learn:
- What happens when meth users snort the drug
- The effects of meth abuse
- The signs of meth addiction
- Where to seek treatment for meth abuse and addiction
Methamphetamine abuse can be hazardous and difficult to overcome. However, comprehensive treatment and support can give you a new start toward a healthier future.
Contact The Living Room specialists today to learn about our holistic support and treatment programs. Our intake specialists will answer your questions and schedule an intake assessment.
The Effects and Risks of Meth
Meth is a slang term for a drug called methamphetamine. Meth is a powerful stimulant drug. A less potent type of amphetamine is commonly used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy.[1]
However, meth is a synthetic, illicit drug. Users ingest it by snorting, smoking, or injecting it.
When users ingest meth, they experience a range of short-term effects, including:[2]
- An intense rush of energy and pleasure
- Heightened sense
- Aggressive or violent behaviors
- Decreased need for sleep
- Physical agitation
- Sustained, increased energy
- Elevated body temperature
People make meth in illegal, unregulated laboratories by combining dangerous chemicals. Meth resembles crystals or shards of broken glass. Many of the street names for meth refer to its appearance. Common slang terms for methamphetamine include:
- Shards
- Glass
- Ice
- Crystal meth
Meth is a dangerous drug. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), in 2020, about 2.6 million people in the US reported using meth in the previous 12 months. In the same year, about 23,837 people died from complications related to a drug overdose involving methamphetamine.[3]
Meth is a central nervous system stimulant. Repeated or heavy use can lead to severe complications. Users who abuse meth may experience long-term side effects that include:
- Extreme weight loss
- Malnutrition
- Severe dental decay (meth mouth)
- Skin infections and scars from injecting it
The effects of meth can vary depending on how people ingest it. Meth users are at risk of overdose, regardless of the way they use it. Signs of a meth overdose include:[4]
- Agitation
- Paranoia
- Seizures
- Chest pain
- Heart attack
- Coma
- Difficulty breathing
- Dangerously high body temperature
- Kidney failure
- Severe belly pain
- Stroke
- Irregular heart rate
A meth overdose is a life-threatening emergency. If someone near you is experiencing an overdose, call 911 immediately. Stay with the person until EMS arrives.
The Dangers of Snorting Meth
Methamphetamine is hazardous and addictive no matter how people use it. Smoking meth, injecting it, or snorting it can all lead someone to develop substance use disorder (SUD) and addiction.
However, snorting meth can cause unique complications.[5] Here is an overview of the dangers of snorting methamphetamine.
Physical risks of snorting meth
People who snort meth may experience:
- Heart attack
- Gum disease
- Chronic runny nose
- Tooth decayÂ
- Weight loss
- Dangerously elevated body temperature
- Heart attack
- Dilated pupils
- Throat, sinus, and facial damage
- Insomnia
- Worsening symptoms of ADHD
Psychological risks of snorting methamphetamine
The psychological dangers of snorting meth include:
- Meth mites (the sensation or belief bugs are crawling under the skin)
- Racing thoughts
- Psychosis
- Depression
- Delusions
- Paranoia
- Mood swings
- Memory issues
- Nightmares
- Suicidal thoughts
Behavioral risks of snorting meth
Meth abuse can change people’s behaviors, including:
- Picking or scratching the skin until it bleeds
- Neglecting hygiene, relationships, responsibilities, and hobbies
- Isolating
- Financial and legal problems related to meth abuse
It can be very challenging for people to quit using meth when they choose. People with meth addiction typically require extensive substance abuse treatment and ongoing support to recover and move forward.
Treatment for Meth Abuse and Addiction
Treatment for meth addiction typically begins with a medically-supported detox program. During meth detox, people receive support, supervision, and treatment for withdrawal symptoms.
After a complete detox, people transition into a holistic treatment program that includes:
- Medications to reduce the risk of relapse
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and other behavioral therapies
- Mental health treatment
- Individual, group, and family counseling
- Relapse prevention education
- Yoga, exercise, nutrition support, mindfulness, and other holistic therapies
- Aftercare planning
Get Help for Meth Addiction Now
It is possible to recover from meth addiction if you have the right support. Contact the specialists at The Living Room now to explore your treatment options. You will also find support at any stage of your recovery journey.
References:
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): What is methamphetamine?
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Know the Risks of Meth
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): What is the scope of methamphetamine use in the United States?
- National Institute of Health (NIH): Methamphetamine Toxicity
- National Institute of Health (NIH): Acute Physiological and Behavioral Effects of Intranasal Methamphetamine in Humans