Methamphetamine Overdose Symptoms, Signs, Effects & Treatment
For many decades now, the problem of drug/alcohol overdose and addiction has negatively affected the lives of many people, young and old alike. In order to avoid or overcome drug/alcohol abuse, it is important that everyone becomes aware of the rightful use of every addictive substance and know which drugs are to be avoided. In this content, you are going to get a comprehensive understanding of Meth Overdose Symptoms, Signs, Effects & Treatment.
Meth is a lethal drug that can cause death in many ways. Overdose is just one of the possible causes of death to meth users. You want to know how? Then, this article is for you. Today, let’s focus on meth overdose.
What Is Methamphetamine Overdose? Understanding Meth Overdose
Methamphetamine, also known as “meth” is a highly addictive stimulant drug that gives the user an intense euphoric rush. The common street names of methamphetamine are “ice”, “speed” or “crystal”. The main forms of administration of meth is through smoking, swallowing, snorting or injecting in the veins.
Meth is a schedule II stimulant presented in form of a pill, white powder or shiny crystalline. Small doses of meth can be medically used to treat health conditions like narcolepsy and ADHD. According to statistics, meth is the second most distributed drug in the world. In America, meth is proved to be used by over 13 million individuals aged above 12 once in their lifetime. Report from the National Institute on Drug Abuse reveals that meth can be very addictive when misused.
However, meth is also available as a prescription drug. Taking meth as directed by the physician and using the recommended oral administration cannot lead to physical dependence or addiction. The key problem is that many people misuse the use of meth in order for them to gain the euphoric effects it brings.
Acute Or Chronic Meth Overdose?
Meth overdose can either be classified as acute or chronic depending on the quantities taken, frequency and duration of abuse. Acute meth overdose is a sudden overdose that occurs when an individual takes by accident or purpose and experiences the life-threatening effects. Chronic meth overdose is the term used to refer to the health effects experienced by individuals who use meth on a regular basis.
Stop Meth Overdose Menace: Save Lives!
Due to the alarming increase on meth overdose related deaths and emergencies, there is a real and valid concern to address this issue thoroughly in order save lives. Anyone, whether first time user or chronic meth users can get into meth overdose. So, it is not an issue of pointing finger or putting blame on others.
When it comes to the issue of drug /alcohol abuse, family plays a major role in helping addiction and overdose patients overcome and escape this deadly trap. If this battle has to be won, government efforts alone are not sufficient. The battle needs to be tackled from the grassroots because most drug abusers and addicts live in denial and they tend to take drugs in secret.
With the rising crisis on meth overdose, adults and young people are not spared either. Parents should therefore be in the forefront on the battle against drug/alcohol abuse to help their children who are easily enticed to engage into unlawful drug abuse.
Meth Overdose : Dangers Of Meth Overdose
Meth overdose occurs when an individual takes the drug on purpose or accidentally and then it starts reacting with the body, thus producing negative side effects. Meth overdose can lead to increased risk of heart attack, severe damage to the body organs, stroke or even death.
Meth overdose causes overstimulation of the central nervous system which in return has a great potential to intensely increase the body temperature and also lead to high blood pressure. Meth overdose causes an individual’s mental and physical processes to speed up. The more an individual continues using meth, the more it speeds the operation of the central nervous system. These heightened rates of the central nervous system can lead to fatal body and brain damage. Meth overdose can also lead to breathing problems.
When we look at it far beyond the horizons, we see that meth overdose causes a wide array of serious physical, mental and social health problems. The truth is that meth overdose does not only affect the victim of overdose but it also largely affect family, organizations, society and the government at large. Therefore we can call it a social crisis that is affecting the large community in real sense.
Meth overdose has been known to cause suicidal attempts. Lives have been lost through this. Due to the chronic anxiety and depression, the victims feel so helpless and hopeless and all they want is to end their lives.
Another danger of meth overdose is violence. The individual becomes violent and dangerous to handle. As a result, issues of assault cases, family and marriage breakups and in most cases the victim end up spending years in jail or living a life of isolation and loneliness.
Road accidents are also common with meth overdose victims. Due to the intense increase on the central nervous system speed, the victim drives fast and recklessly. This results to the alarming increase in road accidents and emergencies.
Signs Of Meth Overdose
If you or a family /loved one is experiencing the following symptoms, then you should know that you are suffering from meth overdose and you need help.
- Anxiety
- Agitation
- Chest pain
- Sleeplessness
- Abnormal wakefulness
- Confusion
- Severe stomach pain
- Uncontrollable shaking
- Paranoia
- Difficulty / labored breathing
- Panic
- Seizures
- Heart attack
- Convulsions
- Psychosis
- Arrhythmias
- Hypertension / high blood pressure
- Hallucinations
- Physical aggression
- Increased heart rate
- Coma
- Suicidal attempts
- Uncontrollable jaw clenching
- Impaired mental functioning
- Violence
No matter if an individual is using meth on short-term or long-term basis – where large quantities of meth are taken, either way, it can cause meth overdose. Actually, even chronic meth abusers can get a meth overdose from a single hint.
Research show that individuals who use meth in overdose develop a tendency of using the drug in binges. These are called “meth runs”. This requires them to take the drug every few hours continuously for a couple of days. During this time, the victims neither eat nor sleep and this greatly contributes to weakening of their bodies.
Causes Of Meth Overdose
Meth, being one of the potent stimulants in the market today has become one of the highly abused drugs ever. There are various factors that contribute to the increased use of meth overdose. Understanding these causes is key to everyone since it will help individuals know the possible tricks and traps that can lead them in meth overdose crisis and this knowledge can save lives.
How Can I Avoid Meth Overdose?
Knowledge on the risks of meth overdose is key to if you don’t want to mess your life. You need to be aware that some of the negative effects experienced after meth overdose are long-term and their outcome are going to be felt many years after quitting meth. For instance, the health complications developed during periods of active meth overdose are going to are going to be felt for decades down the line. So, if young people are going to be involved in meth overdose, chances of experiencing health complications during their old age are high.
So, it is important you understand that unlike other strong and highly addictive stimulants, meth overdose is associated with very diverse harms and extensive heart complications.
Just like any other form of drug /alcohol use and abuse disorder, meth overdose victims can find help. Regardless of the severity of the overdose case, you can find help. It is highly recommended that a professional doctor is contacted to offer tried and proven treatment solutions for individual cases.
If you are struggling with meth overdose, don’t panic. You are not alone. Millions of people across the globe are also fighting meth overdose problem every day and they are finding help. Do not agree to suffer in silence anymore. Talk to an addiction specialist now and find help.
If you are lucky enough and you have not engaged yourself in meth overdose, you can ovoid it. How? By equipping yourself with the right information, you can be able to escape this deadly trap and live a productive and happy life. You’ll stand a better position to know when the use of meth is taking a toll on your life. If you are using meth as a medical prescription, be sure to use it as directed by the physician. If you feel like the drug is causing negative effects on you, enquire from the medical professional to know whether or not to continue using meth.
Treatment Of Meth Overdose
With the help of a compassionate treatment specialist, you can find a meth overdose treatment that works for you. Depending on the severity of your drug use disorder, gaining sobriety can take days or months but if you remain motivated to your treatment program, the results are going to be awesome.
When your body gets used to receiving high doses of meth on frequent bases, you develop a physical and mental dependence such that is becomes difficult for your body to function without high doses of meth. This is because of the intense urge to experience the same effects.
Due to the strong dependence developed, the withdrawal symptoms can be so intents. This is felt after the last dose in attempt to meth cessation or trying to lower the dosage. If not properly managed or controlled, the withdrawal symptoms can lead to bad physical and mental health complications or even death.
If you want to confront the issue of meth overdose and enjoy long-term results, it is highly recommended not to try it alone. Seek help from health professionals who can help you through the entire treatment process and attend you in case of an emergency.
Individuals using meth along with other drugs /alcohol may require extensive treatment to help them overcome the nasty addiction that has a great potential of taking them back to the former lifestyle of using high doses of meth.
When Do I Need Help With Meth Overdose?
According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, it has been reported that using meth in high dosages has the potential to cause serious and deadly side effects. It has also been reported that the meth-related seizures are doubling every year. This report is so alarming and calls for urgent attention. The government and health sector ought to put more efforts and energy on this social menace.
Report from CDC shows that those victims who use meth in overdose use it along with other drugs /alcohol. Alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, opioids /opiates, amphetamines,
Is Someone You Know Suffering From Meth Overdose?
If you thing someone you know is suffering from meth overdose, do be silent about it. You can help him/her find help. Note that that person needs help right away and help him find a way to safely receiving emergency services if the case is critical. In case the individual is having seizures, take extra care of the patient to prevent head injury. Carefully protect him/her from chocking in case he vomits. You can do this be carefully tilting the head on one direction. Ensure that you do not attempt to hold his/her arms or legs.
Call the emergency number and try to give accurate information based on the questions asked. For instance you may be asked to give information about the patient’s approximate weight and age, the amount of drugs taken, the means of drug administration used as well as the time that has elapsed since the last dose.
The doctor may also ask whether other drugs/alcohol were used along with meth and whether the victim has been suffering from any critical health problems before. This information is very crucial and is going to direct the medical attendants know the right medication that will work for him/her.
Meth Overdose Treatment? What’s The Key Goal?
When a meth overdose patient is taken to the hospital, treatment is offered immediately. When the doctor is handling this condition, the key goals are restoring blood flow to the areas of the brain that were affected by stroke and restoring blood flow to the heart. This is to prevent extensive damage from that may arise from the heart attacks. The doctor will also seek to treat any other damages to the main organs of the body. If the patient had taken meth orally, activated charcoal and laxative may be immediately administered. Toxicology screening will be performed to detect if other drugs were taken along with meth. During this time, the doctor closely monitor’s the patient’s progress. In case the condition was critical, patient is put on breathing aid as he/she receives medications and IV fluids.
Severe dangers of Meth overdose
Apart from the above listed signs and effects of meth overdose, if an individual continues abusing meth for a longer duration, a lot more dangers are likely to be experienced. Since meth affects and damages the central nervous system in the long-run, it affects an indivial’s way of doing things. The person starts behaving abnormally. For instance, you may find that the individual will start engaging in meaningless and repetitive tasks. If this individual was an employee or the owner and director of an organization, his overall productivity is badly affected. At the end of the day, this person will not be in a position to handle professional or business tasks. This means that the individual’s professional and career goals are aborted and he many end up living a meaningless and miserable life.
Prolonged and chronic use and abuse of meth may cause the victim to begin exhibiting serious mental and physical issues which can in turn become permanent. Some of these conditions are hard to reverse especially if treatment was delayed and the victim health condition became severely complicated.
Why Must You Avoid Meth?
If you don’t quit meth now and you end up using it for a lengthy duration, adverse health problems are definitely going to be your portion. Research shows that prolonged meth abuse can cause abusers to pick at their skin due to possible intense tactile hallucinations and they might end up developing sores which can result to bad complexion, acne and sore skin.
If a pregnant woman is involved in meth overdose, chances of a premature birth and birth defects are very high. Poor immune system, extreme weight loss, severe dental problems like cracked teeth, infections of the heart, stroke, chronic anxiety, chronic paranoia, chronic insomnia and hypertension among other severe health complications are likely to result.
Victims of meth overdose experience extreme mood swings and they may display psychotic behaviors. Experiences of auditory hallucinations and delusions can become so intense due to long-term use of meth. Brain damage or permanent harm to the brain may also result due to chronic meth use. In effect to this, the victim may display symptoms similar to those of Alzheimer disease.
When the body becomes dependent on meth due to prolonged use or overdose, it becomes extremely difficult for the victim to overcome the strong and intense urges and cravings of meth, especially when they want to quit using it. This shows that the person has developed a bad addiction and the body cannot function normally when meth is not used.
Withdrawal Symptoms Of Meth Overdose
If you want to quit meth today, it is important you be aware of what to expect so that you can be physically and emotionally prepared to go through the treatment procedure without any shock.
Some of the common withdrawal symptoms associated with meth cessation are intense fatigue, depression, severe cravings, anxiety and psychosis.
The Other Side Of Meth That You Didn’t Know
We’ve seen individuals use and abuse meth but how many of them know where meth comes from. Do they care how it is manufactured or the conditions surrounding the production of illegal meth? I thought they should know.
The production of illegal methamphetamine is surrounded by a couple of ugly incidences like explosions, handling dangerous chemicals, burns, explosions, police raids and all these can be life-threatening and can bring a lot of loses. Again, due lack of inspection to enhance strict adherence to the laid standards governing the manufacturing of drugs, illegal meth production can pose users to serious health complications or even death. So, everyone should be aware that illegal meth is to be avoided at all cost.
Here’s Something Worth Noting!
Please do not use this information to manage or treat meth overdose. If you or a loved one is struggling with meth overdose, the recommended way of handling the situation is to seek help from health professionals who stand a better chance to help save lives and prescribe the right treatment for individual cases.
Did you know that you can beat meth addiction and live a healthy life?
If you have been struggling with a nasty addiction that resulted from meth overdose or abuse and you need to gain sobriety and bring your life back on track, help is available for you today. The best move you can ever take in life is to be bold and talk about your ugly addiction with a willing and experienced addiction specialist to take you through a successful meth addiction treatment.
Sobriety is not a one day event but it is a tough and painful journey but if you stay motivated to the healing process, be patient and be willing to change your behaviors, you can achieve your long-term goals of sobriety and start living your better days.
As stated earlier in this content, we indicated that anyone can become a meth overdose candidate at any point in life. It is therefore that we all seek to find deep knowledge and get the right understanding of this national crisis so that we can learn how to avoid falling trap of this deadly snare. On top of this, we can manage to help our family or loved ones avoid or overcome meth addiction.
Need Help With Meth Overdose Problem?
If you need further help on the issue of meth overdose, feel free to call a professional doctor now and talk about your experiences. The earlier you notice that you have a problem with meth addiction, the earlier you should find help. If you didn’t manage to find help during the initial stages of the addiction, it is never too late to find help.