Once touted as a weight loss aid and cognitive enhancer, methamphetamine, commonly known as meth, has since become notorious as a highly addictive and dangerous drug.
Similar to other stimulants, meth has a powerful impact on the central nervous system. Users experience an initial rush of euphoria, heightened energy, and increased focus, followed by a crash that brings intense fatigue and depression.
This article explores the destructive meth use cycle, examines its effects on the body, and answers the critical question: how long does meth stay in your system?
Need help stopping help? Call La Fuente at 888.903.9898.
What Is Meth?
Methamphetamine is a potent and addictive stimulant drug that affects the central nervous system. It’s known by various street names, including meth, crystal, ice, and Tina.
The drug primarily exists in two forms: crystal meth, which appears as a crystalline powder or glass-like fragments, and speed, which is available as powder or pills. Additionally, a less common variant, called base, has an oily, waxy consistency.
Due to its high abuse and addiction potential, methamphetamine is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). While a prescription version (Desoxyn) is approved for treating obesity and ADHD, most methamphetamine is produced illicitly. Recreational use is illegal.
How Long Do the Effects of Meth Last?
The duration of meth’s effects depends on several factors: the amount taken, how it was taken (smoked, injected, or swallowed), body size, and other drugs used simultaneously.
Users typically experience an intense initial high, known as a “rush” or “flash,” that lasts five to 30 minutes. This is followed by a less intense high lasting four to 14 hours. In some cases, users may experience effects for up to 24 hours, though this is less common.
How Long Does Meth Stay in Your System?
Meth can be detected in the body for varying amounts of time after use, depending on the testing method:
Urine: Detection is possible for one to four days after the last use, potentially up to a week in cases of chronic, heavy use.
Hair follicle: Can detect meth use for up to 90 days, extending to 120 days for regular users.
Blood: Detects meth for one to three days following the most recent dose.
Saliva: Capable of detecting meth use up to three days after the last dose.
What Are the Effects of Meth?
Meth affects users in stages: first a powerful rush, then a prolonged high, and finally a crash. These stages involve different levels of euphoria, body stimulation, and mental changes. How intense and long these effects are depends on how much meth is used and how it’s taken.
Let’s take a closer look at each stage.
The Rush
The initial effect of meth, called the “rush” or “flash,” is an intense feeling of pleasure that happens almost immediately after using the drug. This is caused by a sudden increase of dopamine in the brain.
During this phase, heart rate and blood pressure increase, the pupils dilate, and the metabolism speeds up.
The High
After the initial rush, users experience a less intense high lasting several hours. This phase often includes increased energy, rapid thinking, and sometimes aggressive or obsessive behavior.
Other short-term effects can include:
- Trouble sleeping
- Restlessness
- Increased focus
- Rapid heartbeat
- High blood pressure
- Quick breathing
- High body temperature
- Reduced appetite
The Binge
Meth users often engage in binging, where they repeatedly take the drug for several days to maintain the high. This can lead to severe sleeplessness and skipping meals. Many users follow a cycle of binging followed by crashing when the drug’s effects wear off.
The Crash
After a period of heavy meth use, users experience a crash or comedown when the drug’s effects fade or the drug runs out. This phase is marked by extreme tiredness and long stretches of sleep.
Prolonged meth use can result in severe long-term effects that persist even after stopping the drug, such as:
- Memory loss
- Difficulty thinking clearly, paying attention, or staying on task
- Sleeping difficulties
- Psychosis
- Tooth decay
- Unintended weight loss
- Skin abscesses
Can You Overdose on Meth?
Meth use carries significant health risks, including the potential for overdose. This can happen even with first-time use. Users without a tolerance for the drug may unknowingly consume too much. This can cause dangerous spikes in vital signs, potentially leading to severe health consequences and even death.
For regular users, the cumulative impact of repeated meth use may also result in an overdose.
The unregulated production of meth introduces additional dangers. The drug’s potency and purity fluctuate between batches, making it impossible for users to accurately gauge dosage. This unpredictability heightens the risk of accidental overdose.
Signs of a meth overdose include:
- Cardiovascular issues (chest pain, irregular heartbeat, and blood pressure changes)
- Respiratory distress
- Altered mental states (agitation, hallucinations, and psychosis)
- Seizures
- Dangerously elevated body temperature
Meth Treatment at La Fuente Hollywood Treatment Center
Meth has been a health concern in the LGBTQ community since the late 1990s. At that time, it became a popular party drug for gay and bisexual men. It remains a popular drug in the community, with users taking it to experience euphoria, increase their energy levels, and improve their sexual performance.
As one of the country’s only LGBTQ-affirming treatment centers, La Fuente has an intimate understanding of why LGBTQ people use meth.
Our treatment approach includes:
- Medically supervised detox to help you safely stop using meth
- A stay at our residential facility to focus on recovery
- Options for ongoing treatment while living at home or in sober housing
- Long-term support to help maintain your progress
We’re committed to supporting you throughout your journey, from initial treatment to building a fulfilling life in recovery. Our goal is to provide care that addresses your needs and experiences as an LGBTQ individual.
Call us today at 888.903.9898 to learn more about our meth treatment program.
