Can a person overdose on methamphetamine?
Yes, methamphetamine overdose is possible. An overdose happens when a person consumes too much of a drug, triggering a toxic reaction that can cause fatal or seriously damaging symptoms.
Methamphetamine-related drug overdose deaths made up 15% of all drug overdose deaths in 2017, and 50% of those deaths also involved an opioid, with 50% of those cases including the synthetic opioid fentanyl.
See #42 on meth RR in the CDC Wonder Multiple Causes of Death list. It is significant to remember that sometimes inexpensive, hazardous synthetic opiates are secretly added to street methamphetamine.
How can a methamphetamine overdose be treated?
First responders and emergency department doctors attempt to treat the overdose by treating these diseases since methamphetamine overdose frequently results in a stroke, heart attack, or organ disorders, with the goals of:
- restoring blood flow to the affected part of the brain (stroke)
- restoring blood flow to the heart (heart attack)
- treating the organ problems
Is methamphetamine addictive?
Yes, methamphetamine is highly addictive. When people stop taking it, withdrawal symptoms can include:
- anxiety
- fatigue
- severe depression
- psychosis
- intense drug cravings
How is methamphetamine addiction treated?
While research is underway, there are currently no government-approved medications to treat methamphetamine addiction.
The good news is that methamphetamine misuse can be prevented and addiction to the drug can be treated with behavioral therapies. The most effective treatments for methamphetamine addiction so far are behavioral therapies, such as:
- cognitive-behavioral therapy, which helps patients recognize, avoid, and cope with the situations likely to trigger drug use.
- motivational incentives, which use vouchers or small cash rewards to encourage patients to remain drug-free
Additionally, work is being done on developing vaccinations, non-invasive magnetic field brain stimulation, and other new medications and treatments for methamphetamine usage.
People who have fast access to efficient treatments that address the plethora of physiological and psychological issues brought on by prolonged use are able to and do recover from methamphetamine addiction.