Shooting meth brings on the effects almost immediately, but carries significantly more dangers, including organ damage, mental issues, overdose, addiction and death.
Methamphetamine, a stimulant drug with limited therapeutic use, has become a highly addictive street drug. While it has been used to treatADHD, most meth is illegally produced in small labs and sold on the street as a recreational drug. The resulting drug is highly dangerous and has a high potential for addiction and dependence.
One of the most dangerous ways of using meth is injecting it, also called “shooting” meth. In a recentstudyof meth users by The Recovery Village, 27% reported using injections.
Injecting Meth
There are a variety of delivery methods that people use to consume methamphetamine, including snorting, shooting, smoking and taking oral pills. Oral ingestion produces a high after15 to 20minutes. When meth is snorted, the effects are felt in just3-5minutes. Smoking meth produces a quicker, more intense “rush.”
In contrast, injecting meth brings on the effects almostimmediately. Sometimes this generates a high even before the needle has left the arm. In contrast to many other drugs that people inject, the effects of methamphetamine continue to last for4–14hours. Some people may engage in “binging and crashing,” where they continue meth usage for several days without sleep, followed by a crash and come-down.
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Once in the body, the effects of the drug are overwhelming. The dopamine receptors, normally tasked with delivering pleasure in response to the normal joys of life, are awash with a powerful stimulant. Increased dopamine rapidlyproduces a rush of euphoria, which people using meth seek out repeatedly until they are addicted.
Physical Symptoms
As people inject meth repeatedly, they may experience “track lines” around their injection sites. These are darkened veins along injection paths that can havepuncture marksand rashes. Abscesses are also common to those who inject meth. If left unattended, these can lead to loss of limb. Puncturing the skin also opens the skin toinfectionslike hepatitis and HIV. Sharing needles makes these diseases more likely.
Other physical consequences of meth useinclude:
- Dental problems, often called “meth mouth”
- Extreme weight loss
- Organ damage
- Stroke
- Heart attack
- Death
Psychological Symptoms
In addition to the other consequences of injecting meth, the drugcan cause:
- Anxiety
- Confusion
- Hallucinations
- Impaired ability to learn
- Paranoia
- Persistent itching
- Violent behavior
Addiction and Overdose
Injecting meth carries a high risk for physical dependence, addiction and overdose. The chance ofoverdosing on methwhile injecting is high. This is partly because it is harder to gauge the amount going into the body during injection. Smoking, snorting, or orally ingesting meth are indirect methods of receiving the drug compared to injecting it directly into the body.
The large amounts of meth that are injected can lead to death. Even if the overdose is not lethal, the resulting hallucinations and paranoia can cause extreme distress. Repeated seizures and strokes, which occur during or after an overdose, can causepermanent damageto the brain, heart and kidneys.
Treating Methamphetamine Addiction
Recovering from ameth addictiondoes not have to be a journey taken alone. With help from resources like The Recovery Village, you will be one step closer to a healthier life and a successful recovery. Let our team of trained medical professionals guide you to the best treatment program to address your needs. In time and with support, you too can gain the skills necessary to help overcome your addiction.
If you or a loved one live with methamphetamine addiction or are using meth recreationally and want to stop, it’s time to seek professional help. The Recovery Village provides care to those struggling with methamphetamine.Reach outto one of our knowledgeable representatives today to learn how you can start on your path to recovery.
