Methamphetamine is a stimulant that speeds up signals in the central nervous system. An acute meth overdose can happen when you take too much in one sitting. However, an overdose can also occur when you abuse the substance over time. Whether due to an overdose or ongoing drug abuse, Grace Counseling can help individuals overcome their substance use disorder through our meth addiction treatment program.

How Methamphetamine Affects You

counselor explaining to patient meth addiction

Meth is similar to amphetamines, such as Adderall. However, it’s much stronger. While amphetamines have therapeutic qualities and may be prescribed for medical conditions such as narcolepsy and ADHD, methamphetamine is used recreationally.

It’s created in a lab from over-the-counter ingredients and contains the stimulant pseudoephedrine. Meth speeds up your metabolism, heart rate, and respiration. Some other methamphetamine effects include:

  • Speech impairment
  • Racing pulse
  • Dry mouth
  • Shallow breathing
  • Dizziness
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Violent outbursts

Methamphetamine breaks down into amphetamine in the body. It also contains several toxic ingredients. The substance also causes changes in the brain’s reward system. It impairs coordination and interferes with verbal learning. Long-term meth use causes problems with memory and emotional regulation.

Some of these cognitive changes improve after you stop using the substance. However, your brain may never get back to normal after years of abstinence. A meth overdose can also permanently damage major organs. The drug also affects your dental health. People who consistently use the drug often develop “meth mouth.” This extreme tooth decay can only be remedied through cosmetic dentistry.

Signs Of A Meth Overdose

Methamphetamine generally produces a euphoric high. Positive feelings come in a rush, and users may feel animated, social, and energetic. If you take too much or combine meth with other drugs, you might experience negative side effects. Some signs of a meth overdose include:

  • Anxiety and paranoia
  • Heart attack or slowed heart rate
  • Intense stomach pain
  • Kidney failure
  • Stroke
  • Seizures
  • Trouble breathing

Emergency medical intervention is crucial for treating acute drug overdose. If you or someone you know shows signs of taking too much meth, get help right away. Side effects of an overdose can be fatal.

People who use the drug regularly may have symptoms of a chronic overdose. Their health usually suffers. They may lose a large amount of weight in a short period of time and have skin lesions that don’t heal. They might get frequent infections.

Delusional behavior, mood swings, paranoia, and insomnia are other signs of a chronic overdose. Medical treatment can help improve these symptoms.

Meth Addiction Treatment

If you’re dealing with an emergency, try to provide the medical team with the individual’s weight, the amount of the drug taken, how it was administered, and when it was taken. Immediate treatment involves stabilizing the patient’s vital signs and administering medication to treat major organ complications, such as the heart and kidneys.

Attending a program at a high-quality rehab center can prevent people from using drugs again after they have become stable. Those who are dealing with chronic meth overdose also benefit from drug and alcohol addiction treatment.

You might experience severe meth withdrawal symptoms when you eliminate the drug from your system. Paranoia and psychosis can last for up to a year. It’s important to get the medical, emotional, and psychological support you need during this period. Many people require treatment for mental illness that develops from long-term meth use.

How Grace Counseling Can Help

At Grace Counseling, we offer services for men and women to heal their addictions. Our goal is to welcome clients into a tranquil, fulfilling environment where they can get the education, therapy, and experience they need to move forward into a life without drugs.

The holistic therapies that we offer also help heal the effects of meth abuse. Our well-rounded approach includes:

We also use evidence-based therapeutic techniques to address your thought patterns, habits, behaviors, and triggers. At our facility, you’ll learn techniques for managing stress and connecting with yourself in a meaningful way that gives you a strong foundation for recovery.

Don’t let meth addiction ruin your life. You can heal from the physical and psychological effects of your addiction. Call us at 844.564.0712 to learn how we can help you transition from despair to hope.