February 21, 2024

Methamphetamine overdose Information New York

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Doctors may use physical restraints in overdoses (or acute intoxication) to prevent harm to themselves or others. Physical restraints may be bandages or cuffs restricting a person’s movement. One of the first things that happens during a meth overdose is an elevated body temperature. Because the nervous system is stimulated, the body overheats and a person may be flushed and sweaty. Abusing this powerful stimulant can lead to major physical and mental consequences.

Steps to Take if Someone Overdoses on Meth

1. Prescription methamphetamine is still given to some people in clinical settings to help with weight loss and narcolepsy, but the vast majority of meth overdose cases involve illegal street meth.
2. Doctors use it to treat narcolepsy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
3. Meth creates an energetic and euphoric high, and makes a person feel aroused and alert.
4. Knowing how to treat someone experiencing a meth overdose can mean the difference between life and death.
5. People who have been taking meth for some time have already suffered irreversible damage to their cardiovascular system that puts them at risk for death.

It is also not rare for people who inject methamphetamine to have a history of opioid injection and heavy polydrug use. Polydrug use is when you mix https://sober-home.org/ drugs or take one drug while under the influence of another drug. It is crucial to seek emergency medical help for someone experiencing an overdose.

Methamphetamine Use Disorder

Therefore, they can assist in reducing serious harm from occurring when timely actions are taken. Meth increases the release of dopamine and, thus, enhances the person’s mood and energy levels leading to increased wakefulness and physical activity. The effects of meth on the body with short-term use include an increase in heart rate and blood pressure and a high body temperature (hyperthermia). A drug overdose occurs when someone takes too much of a substance before their body can adequately cleanse itself of the chemicals.

Meth Overdose: Signs, Symptoms, and How to Help

If you are with someone who experiences an overdose, it is important to let the first responders know what substances the person may have abused if you are aware. This can assist the medical professionals in reversing the drugs’ effects. Practice general first aid basics such as making sure the person is lying down in a safe place in the rescue position (on their side).

From 2011 to 2017, overdose deaths from methamphetamine quadrupled. Partially to blame for this increase in overdose deaths is the rise in heroin and opioid addiction. Many people who are addicted to heroin will use meth to either counteract the impacts of heroin or to get a more intense high when mixing both substances.

Short-Term Side Effects of Meth Use

Meth significantly alters the way a person’s brain works, and can cause hallucinations, paranoia, and violent behavior. When a person ingests large amounts of meth, their nervous system becomes overstimulated. This overstimulation manifests as symptoms of meth abuse, including hyperactivity, paranoia, and aggression. Meth is addictive, and can quickly result in a tolerance to the drug. When a person uses meth regularly, their body builds up a tolerance. They require larger and larger doses of the drug to get the same high, which can lead a person to ingest a toxic amount of the drug (overdose).

Methamphetamine, also known as “meth” or “crystal meth,” is a highly addictive and potent stimulant responsible for approximately 30% of drug-related deaths in the United States. If you or someone you know is experiencing a meth overdose, the safest step is to contact emergency medical services immediately. This can sometimes be difficult if the individual is also struggling with hallucinations or paranoia; however, the priority must remain on the safety of the individual experiencing an overdose. Meth is classified as a stimulant due to how it interacts with the brain.

However, you’ll also want to be extremely careful around them. People may also try to treat the difficult “crash” period of meth with depressants like alcohol. If you believe someone has https://sober-home.org/crack-cocaine-symptoms-and-warning-signs/ taken methamphetamine and they are having bad symptoms, get them medical help right away. Take extreme caution around them, especially if they appear to be extremely excited or paranoid.

It’s important to remember this survey only covered people in recovery from meth or current users, meaning these people were reporting close calls or non-lethal impacts. People who have died from meth use could not take this survey. In 2019 alone, 16,167 people died from an overdose on psychostimulants in the U.S., primarily from meth. Poison Control can help you decide whether you should call 911 after a meth exposure.

If they are having a seizure, gently hold the back of their head to prevent injury. If possible, turn their head or body to the side in case they vomit. DO NOT try to stop their arms and legs from shaking, or put anything in their mouth. American Addiction Centers (AAC) is committed to delivering original, truthful, accurate, unbiased, and medically current information. We strive to create content that is clear, concise, and easy to understand. If the overdose involved opioids, the person may be unconscious.

Prolonged methamphetamine use can cause irreversible damage to the blood vessels around the heart and in the brain, causing an irregular heartbeat. These long-term impacts can increase a user’s risk of having a stroke or heart attack. Liver, lung, and kidney damage also occur in advanced meth addiction.

One of the first symptoms of meth abuse is a sudden loss of interest in areas of life that were once important to the person. Hobbies, relationships, and career goals will all begin to take a back seat to getting and using meth. Initially, many people will attempt to hide their drug use, but the longer someone uses meth, the more prominent it becomes in their lives. Methamphetamine chemically alters how a user thinks and feels, which can make what was once a recreational drug activity a major life priority. Know the signs of substance abuse and let Caron help your loved one. We offer comprehensive addiction treatment services including inpatient detox, outpatient, health care, education, and counseling.

This will include addressing hyperthermia (high temperature), checking electrolyte levels, and providing medication to stop seizures. Methamphetamine can have drug-alcohol or drug-drug interactions. Do not stop the arms and legs from shaking or place anything in the person’s mouth. If the patient is actively having a seizure, becoming violent, or having difficulty breathing, do not delay.

AddictionResource fact-checks all the information before publishing and uses only credible and trusted sources when citing any medical data. Methamphetamine, known as “meth” or “crystal meth,” is a highly addictive psychostimulant drug and the most widely used amphetamine-type stimulant. Many antidepressants and similar medications target the same chemical receptors interacting with meth. This is done to help stabilize those who struggle with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and psychotic conditions. Pharmaceutical stimulants use chemical variants of amphetamine (e.g., Adderall) to assist individuals with conditions such as ADHD; however, in much smaller (and safer) dosages. Blood or urine tests may be used to check the level of meth in your system.

The best way to prevent methamphetamine overdose is to avoid using the drug. Meth abuse can lead to meth addiction, causing people to compulsively seek the drug. When someone has a substance use disorder, he or she obsesses over the drug. Although Narcan does not counteract the effects of a methamphetamine overdose, it can still be valuable if you have it at hand during a meth overdose. Methamphetamine users often use multiple substances, including opioids. In cases of polydrug use, where both methamphetamine and opioids are involved, administering Narcan can be lifesaving.

The tests can also check for physical problems meth can cause. Healthcare providers can help you make decisions about treatment programs. Treatment may be offered in a hospital, outpatient facility, or drug rehabilitation center. Illegal methamphetamine is often snorted or smoked but sometimes injected. Methamphetamine can be bought as either a powder form or in crystal form called crystal meth.

Although Poison Control is staffed by medical experts, it is important to remember that they are not a replacement for emergency health care. They may, therefore, direct you to seek emergency medical attention after you contact them. Currently, no drugs are available to counteract the effects of methamphetamines or those caused by long-term abstinence.