Meth overdose (OD) is a severe and life-threatening complication of addiction. If you or a loved one is struggling with a meth addiction, the meth rehab program in New Jersey at Bluecrest Recovery can help. Contact our team today at 888.292.9652 to learn how meth overdose occurs and start your path to recovery.
Can You OD on Meth?
Drug overdoses have spiked to alarming numbers in the United States over the last several years, alongside a growing methamphetamine addiction rate, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Much of the media focus has been on opioids, such as fentanyl, but the risks of methamphetamine use are just as dangerous. But can you OD on meth in the same way?
Yes. Meth overdose, sometimes called “overamping,” happens when people take too much methamphetamine too quickly or for too long and experience dangerous and life-threatening consequences. But a meth overdose categorically differs from the overdoses seen when people take depressant drugs, such as opioids, alcohol, or benzodiazepines.
A meth overdose often has counterintuitive effects. While most people feel a rush of energy on methamphetamines, overdose can cause people to feel exhausted or lose consciousness. Conversely, some people may experience extreme cardiac events and need the support of emergency medical professionals to recover safely.
How Does Meth Overdose Occur?
Methamphetamine is a central nervous system stimulant. It accelerates the body’s automatic functions and can lead people to feel effects such as:
- A rush of energy
- A feeling of focus
- Involuntary movement
- Talking rapidly
- Insomnia
- Increased body temperature
- Accelerated breathing
- Elevated heart rate
Meth use essentially puts the central nervous system on overdrive, burning up chemical energy reserves at an alarming rate. When people take too much methamphetamine, they put themselves at risk of overdose.
But exactly how does meth overdose occur? Research indicates that the primary driver of meth overdose is overheating. Meth use both increases the body’s metabolism, which causes your temperature to rise and restricts blood flow in your extremities, making it difficult for your body to shed this excess heat. Without an effective way to reduce temperature, the body shuts down. This can lead to a loss of consciousness, stroke, and sometimes death.
But there are other ways that meth overdose can occur. The extreme rise in heart rate can cause serious cardiovascular events, and some people who overdose on meth may experience a heart attack.
Symptoms of Meth Overdose
Meth overdose can have several different symptoms, including:
- Intense visual and auditory hallucinations
- Profuse sweating
- Feeling like your heart is beating out of your chest
- Confusion and delirium
- Suddenly becoming very tired after feeling very stimulated
- Loss of consciousness
While some people wake up from a meth overdose, some do not. Meth overdose is often fatal, and overdose rates have steadily increased over the last several years. A meth overdose is not something to be taken lightly, and if you begin to see the symptoms in yourself or a friend, call 911 immediately.
Start Treatment for Meth Addiction at BlueCrest Recovery
Meth overdose is a real danger for people who are addicted to methamphetamine. One of the critical criteria for a meth addiction is that people are often unable to control how much meth they use or how often—and even a “normal” dose of meth can lead to overdose in certain conditions.
The only way to truly prevent the risk of a meth overdose is to seek treatment to achieve recovery from a meth addiction. At BlueCrest Recovery, our team has the tools and experience to help you break free from your addiction and achieve a lasting and worthwhile recovery. Contact our team today at 888.292.9652 to get started and find the rewards that recovery has in store for you.
