Meth Overdose Symptoms and Signs to Look For

Methamphetamine is a powerful central nervous system (CNS) stimulant drug that increases the activity of several neurotransmitters, including dopamine, which is important for rewarding behaviors.[1] Meth brings an intense euphoria shortly after use, but it’s short-lived. Trying to maintain that high often causes users to take it again and again, leading to addiction or overdose.

Like other drugs, taking too much meth or using it with other substances carries an increased risk of toxicity or fatal overdose. In 2021, almost 33,000 people died of methamphetamine overdose.[2] The deaths from an overdose of methamphetamine have more than tripled since 2015, revealing a dangerous trend.

What Is Methamphetamine?

Methamphetamine – or meth – is a Schedule II drug, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).[3] This is because of its high risk of dependence and addiction.

Though meth has limited medical use as Desoxyn for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and obesity, most meth is produced, distributed, and used illicitly. It’s derived from amphetamine and produces euphoria and stimulant effects that are similar to cocaine and other stimulants.

Meth is often snorted or smoked, but it may be injected. It’s available on the street in powder form, crystal form (crystal meth), or liquid form. Part of the risk of meth is not just the meth itself but the synthetic chemicals, industrial cleaners, solvents, and other harmful additives that are used to produce it in illicit labs.

Learn More About Treatment For Meth Use

What Causes a Meth Overdose?

An overdose of methamphetamine happens when someone takes too much of the drug at once or over time and experiences severe or potentially life-threatening effects.[4] It may cause organ damage or a sudden cardiovascular event, such as a stroke or heart attack. This can happen from meth alone or from combining meth with other substances, including ecstasy, cocaine, or other amphetamines.

Drug abuse with meth and opioids like heroin, morphine, or fentanyl can cause side effects that are more unpredictable, dangerous, and potentially fatal. Opioids slow down body functions, but they don’t balance out the stimulant effects of meth. The result is that either drug can mask the effects of the other, leading to a drug overdose.

Another risk of overdose comes from fentanyl, an extremely lethal and potent opioid that’s been found in a range of street drugs. It can be used to lace methamphetamine to produce more powerful effects, but that often leads to overdose.

Methamphetamine Overdose Symptoms

The symptoms of a methamphetamine overdose can vary by the individual but can include:[5]

• Chest pains
• Kidney problems
• Confusion
• Rapid increase in heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature
• Altered mental status
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Circulatory collapse
• Death

Keep in mind that meth taken with other substances, such as opioids, can mask the symptoms of overdose.

How to Handle a Meth Overdose

If you suspect that someone is experiencing an overdose, err on the side of caution and contact emergency services. It could be the difference between life and death.
Here’s what you should do for a meth overdose:

• Call 911.
• Try to keep the person awake.
• Turn the person on their side to prevent choking.
• Wait until help arrives.

It’s important to act quickly if you suspect the symptoms of a meth overdose. Some overdoses can be reversed with prompt medical attention. Naloxone can help if meth is taken with an opioid or laced with one, such as fentanyl. Emergency services will provide medication and supportive care on the way to a healthcare facility.

Meth Addiction and Treatment

Meth is a highly addictive stimulant. Though not everyone becomes addicted to meth, the intense, fast-acting high it creates can start a cycle of repeated use to maintain that euphoria, leading to addiction.

With chronic use, people who use meth often experience withdrawal symptoms. While these withdrawal symptoms are usually not life-threatening, they can be extremely uncomfortable and may prompt relapse.

Because of this, medical detox is often the first step in treatment for methamphetamine use disorder – the term for meth addiction. Medical detox helps manage the symptoms of withdrawal while the drug clears the system.

After detox, meth addiction treatment can take place in a variety of settings. Inpatient programs are often preferred for severe addiction because they offer 24/7 supervision and care.

Every treatment program takes an individualized and holistic approach to meet your unique needs. Therapy interventions may include individual therapy, group therapy, support groups, and behavioral therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Learn More About Medical Detox