Dangers of Snorting and Smoking Meth
Methamphetamine is a powerful drug. Its use can quickly lead to abuse and meth addiction. Once this has occurred, it is very difficult to quit. However, you should not lose hope if this has happened to you or a loved one. If you are worried about methamphetamine abuse, read on to find out about the dangers and how to get help. With the right medical care, you can leave substance abuse behind.
What Is Meth?
Meth is in the class of stimulant drugs and, as an illicit drug, it is primarily synthesized from substances found in over-the-counter medicine. It was invented in 1893 and later used during the Second World War to keep soldiers alert. The legal pharmaceutical version is now used to treat severe attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Meth is a central nervous system stimulant that works by increasing dopamine and adrenaline activity in brain pathways involved in reward, learning, and motor control. In low doses, it increases attention, which is why it is still used to treat ADHD in its only legal form, Desoxyn. In high doses, meth causes an intense rush which is why it is a common choice of recreational drug.
Meth has been classed as a Schedule II drug since 1970 due to its high potential for causing substance abuse and dependence. However, since it is seen to have medical properties it is not classed among the most dangerous Schedule I drugs.
Meth is usually found as a crystalline powder or crystal, known as crystal meth. Street methamphetamine can often have impurities that can discolor the drug making it yellow or brown rather than white or clear. While uncommon, it is also possible to get meth pills.
Dangers of Taking Meth
Whether a person engages in short-term or long-term methamphetamine use, they place themselves at risk of health issues such as meth mouth, high blood pressure, and severe depression. While using meth may take only a few minutes, the negative consequences of meth addiction can be long-lasting. This is why it is so important to seek medical care to secure the best chance of counteracting the effects of methamphetamine use.
Dependence and Addiction
Meth is a very potent drug that produces an intense rush. Taking meth quickly leads to changes in brain chemistry. People become dependent on meth when their brain gets used to the drug and changes chemically to create balance. Once dependence has developed it is very difficult to quit as drug users experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.
Addiction follows dependence. Addiction is a brain disorder that makes you lose control of your substance abuse. It can lead to relationship breakdowns and behavioral changes such as risk-taking, social withdrawal, and losing interest in things you once enjoyed.
In 2017, 964,000 people in the US reported having a meth use disorder. This includes meth abuse, dependence, and addiction. If you have a meth use disorder it can be very difficult to stop taking the drug. However, no matter how long you have been taking it, it is never too late to get treatment.
Damage to the Mouth
Continued methamphetamine use can lead to stained, blackened, rotting, and crumbling teeth which is commonly known as meth mouth. This can be due to a lack of dental hygiene when taking meth, poor diet, and grinding and clenching of teeth when using.
Sores
When you use meth your skin can become uncomfortable causing you to scratch or pick at it. When you do this consistently it can turn into sores. This can be caused simply due to the discomfort but can also happen if you hallucinate that you feel bugs crawling on or underneath your skin.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Methamphetamine use can lead to both increased libido and risk-taking behavior. These together lead to an increased risk of unprotected sex so those who use meth are more likely to get sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis B.
Tweaking
“Tweaking” is most likely to occur when you are on a meth binge. Meth binges make you energetic so that you cannot sleep and can stay awake for days. Symptoms of tweaking include psychosis, and this can cause you to hurt yourself or others.
Dopamine
Methamphetamine use can damage your dopamine activity and dopamine receptors in your brain. This can lead to memory loss and problems retaining information in the short term and then damage to dopamine receptors in the long term. This can lead to longer-term issues in these areas. (It is the increased dopamine activity that causes meth to be such a potent drug due to the euphoria caused by this.)
Other Dangers
Methamphetamine abusers also face additional dangers. The effects of methamphetamine use include an increased risk of stroke, heart attack, lung disease, and liver and kidney damage. Taking meth can also cause mental health problems, including anxiety, depression, and paranoia.
Meth Overdose
Like with many other drugs, it is possible to overdose on meth. Methamphetamine overdose occurs when you take so much of the drug that your body cannot process it and some functions stop working normally. Meth overdoses nearly tripled from 2015 to 2019, with overdoses involving psychostimulants, primarily meth, reaching 23,837 in 2020. Symptoms of a meth overdose include:
- blueish fingertips and lips
- severe stomach pain
- increased blood pressure
- chest pain
- problems breathing
- loss of consciousness
- seizures
If you see someone experiencing these symptoms, you should call 911 immediately.
Dangers Specifically Due to Smoking and Snorting Meth
Using methamphetamine by smoking or snorting produces effects that cause even more harm to the person. The additional damage from this form of meth abuse is focused around the nose, mouth, and lungs, potentially lowering the individual’s quality of life.
Smoking Meth
Crystal methamphetamine is often smoked and causes issues such as:
- respiratory problems such as difficulty breathing
- persistent cough
- increased risk of pneumonia
- cancer
- lung disease
Snorting Meth
Short-term effects of snorting meth include:
- loss of a sense of smell
- nosebleeds
- nose and throat irritation
- blocked nose
- trouble swallowing
- trouble breathing
Long-term effects include:
- inflammation of the nose
- damage to your nose such as perforation of the septum and even the soft palate (in the roof of your mouth)
- sinus infections
- respiratory tract infections
Signs Someone Is Smoking or Snorting Meth
It can be helpful to know the signs that someone is using meth so that you can support a loved one. If you are worried that someone you know could be using crystal meth or any other form of the drug, look out for the signs listed below.
General Signs of Meth Use
Physical Signs
- Hyperactivity
- Tooth decay
- Weight loss due to loss of appetite
- Liver and kidney damage
- Lung disease
- Seizures
Psychological Signs
- Inability to concentrate
- Memory loss
- Mood swings
- Psychosis
- Depression
- Paranoia and hallucinations
Behavioral Signs of Addiction
- They try and fail to quit.
- They feel like meth has taken over their life.
- They have lost interest in things they used to enjoy.
- They are not meeting responsibilities.
- They have withdrawn from family and friends.
- They neglect self-care
Specific Signs of Smoking Meth
If someone is smoking crystal meth, you may see paraphernalia of drug use in their living area.
- Glass or another type of pipe
- Tin foil
Specific Signs of Snorting Meth
Paraphernalia and physical symptoms can suggest that a person is snorting methamphetamine.
- Runny nose and sniffing when not sick
- Chronic nosebleeds
- Rolled banks notes or straws
- White powdery substance on surfaces, keys, or credit cards
Meth Addiction Treatment
Harm Reduction Programs
Engaging in a harm reduction program can be very helpful for somebody with a meth addiction. Some people may not be ready to quit entirely but will want their substance use to be made safer. For example, harm reduction programs can involve testing what is in the drug before use. This is very beneficial because mixing drugs increases the risk of adverse effects, including overdose. Fentanyl, a very potent opioid, is a common impurity found in methamphetamine. Just 2 mg of fentanyl can lead to an overdose.
Other ways that harm reduction can help is by providing safe spaces for taking substances so that medical professionals can assist if the person has an overdose or other adverse effects. Commonly these spaces will provide information about getting treatment for those who are open to it. They usually do not force information on anyone as this can stop people from continuing to use the service.
Meth Detox
For those that are ready to get treatment for meth addiction, the first stage is detox. This is where you stop taking the substance and manage withdrawal symptoms. It is important to detox under supervision from trained medical professionals. They can provide you with support to ease unpleasant symptoms. If you had meth-induced psychosis while taking the drug, you could be more likely to experience it while withdrawing. At a treatment facility, staff will be on hand to look after you and make sure that you are as comfortable as possible.
Acute withdrawal tends to last for seven to ten days. Some people will also experience post-acute withdrawal. These will tend to be psychological symptoms such as fatigue and depression. With the right treatment, this process can be made easier.
While there are no specific medications for meth withdrawal, you can be given medication to deal with symptoms. For example, you may be prescribed antidepressants if you are experiencing depression.
Getting Treatment at Brookdale
Brookdale is a premier addiction recovery center located in the Pocono Mountains. Our luxury campus facility overlooks a private lake and is surrounded by forest. As a resident here you will experience your treatment in a calm and soothing environment that brings you close to nature.
We know that recovery from drug abuse is different for everyone, so we offer programs tailored to each client’s specific needs. Our treatment options include:
- individual therapy sessions
- 12-step programs
- gender-specific groups
- aftercare
We also offer luxury amenities including:
- pool and sauna
- recreation center with sports such as tennis and bowls
- gym
- lakeside fire pit
- hair salon
We would love to hear from you and speak more about our treatment options and what might suit you. You can find out more on our website.