Meth is a potent stimulant drug that is available by prescription to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). That said, most people who misuse meth are buying it off of the street. Also referred to as crystal meth, this form of meth contains dangerous additives and unknown chemicals.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), 2.5 million people abused meth in the United States.[1]
It is possible to smoke, snort, swallow, and inject meth. Any method of administration will lead to meth addiction. People who inject meth are at a higher risk of experiencing health risks like skin infections, contracting diseases, heart issues, organ damage, and a life-threatening overdose.
If you shoot up meth consistently, you probably have a stimulant use disorder. An addiction treatment center can provide you with the tools and support you need to achieve long-term sobriety from meth.
In this article, you will learn:
- How do people abuse meth?
- What are the effects of shooting up meth?
- What are the dangers of injecting meth?
How Do People Use Meth?
Meth is a central nervous system stimulant, which means it speeds up activity in your brain. You might experience a euphoric high, increased energy, and a fast heart rate. It is also possible to experience negative effects, like anxiety, paranoia, and even psychosis.
There are many ways to use meth. Some people smoke it in a pipe called a bubble or glass rose. Crushing the crystals into powder form and snorting them is also possible.
You can also simply swallow the drug to experience a high. And lastly, injecting meth is common once you develop a high tolerance to smoking or snorting it.
People who inject meth heat the crystals until they become a liquid. Then, they fill a syringe with the liquid meth before injecting it into their veins. Injecting drugs like meth increases the risk of experiencing a life-threatening overdose, vein damage, and infections at the injection site.
What are the Side Effects of Injecting Meth?
When you are shooting meth, you will experience the typical effects of meth at a more potent rate. You might notice a rush of euphoria, heightened energy, and increased heart rate or blood pressure. You could become anxious, paranoid, or suffer from the symptoms of psychosis.
Other common side effects of injecting meth include:[2]
- Decreased appetite and rapid weight loss
- Aggressive or violent behavior
- Restlessness and agitation
- Abnormal heart rhythm or hypertension
- Excessive sweating and tremors
- Dilated pupils
- Increased body temperature and skin flushing
- Itchy skin, believing bugs are crawling under your skin, and picking at your skin
- Chronic and severe dental issues
What are the Dangers of Shooting Up Meth?
Injecting any drug comes with its own set of dangers. For example, if you do not use a sterile needle, you could contract diseases like HIV or hepatitis. Additionally, shooting up drugs leads to track marks and skin infections like abscesses.
Even further, when you inject meth, the effects you experience are highly addictive. Using meth in this manner long-term can lead to heart complications and organ damage.
The main risks of injecting meth include:
Addiction
When you are injecting meth, the drug is delivered directly to your bloodstream. This makes the mind-altering effects more potent than if you smoked or snorted it. As a result, it is much easier to develop an addiction.
The main signs of meth addiction include being unable to control how much you use and experiencing cravings to abuse meth. You will also develop tolerance and withdrawal symptoms when you stop using meth.
Skin Infections and Diseases
Injecting meth puts you at risk of skin infections. You could develop abscesses at the injection site due to non-sterilized equipment.
If you are sharing needles, you could also contract dangerous diseases like HIV and hepatitis.[3]
Heart Complications
If your needles are not properly sterilized, you are at risk of developing a bacterial infection. Sometimes, this can progress into a condition called endocarditis. Endocarditis is the inflammation of the lining of your heart and can quickly become fatal.[4]
Additionally, meth abuse in general leads to cardiovascular risks. Injecting the drug could lead to arrhythmias, heart attacks, and strokes.
Organ Damage
Injecting meth can lead to kidney and liver disease because these organs have to process the drug during the metabolic process. If you inject meth frequently, your risk of developing organ damage increases substantially.
Overdose
Lastly, injecting meth puts you at risk of overdosing. Shooting up meth is the most potent way to abuse the drug. Additionally, it is easy to accidentally take too large of a dose.
The signs of a meth overdose include:[5]
- Fast heart rate and chest pain
- Hypertension and arrhythmias
- Difficult or labored breathing
- High body temperature and excessive sweating
- Agitation and aggressiveness
- Psychosis and hallucinations
- Seizures
If you or a loved one is experiencing the symptoms of a meth overdose, contact 911 immediately.
Find Help for Meth Abuse and Addiction
Meth addiction can be incredibly difficult to overcome, especially if you inject it. Thankfully, drug rehab programs can offer the tools and support you need to recover. At the Mandala Healing Center, we offer medical detox, evidence-based therapies, and relapse prevention planning to help you achieve sobriety.
Contact us today for more information on our meth addiction treatment center.
References:
- The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): What is the scope of methamphetamine use in the United States
- The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Know the Risks of Meth
- The World Health Organization (WHO): People who inject drugs
- Oxford Academics: Right-Side Endocarditis in Injection Drug Users: Review of Proposed Mechanisms of Pathogenesis
- The National Library of Medicine (NLM): Methamphetamine Toxicity