Methamphetamine is a dangerous substance that can have a catastrophic effect on a person’s life. People who snort meth (or who use the drug in other ways) put themselves at risk for a range of devastating outcomes, including addiction, overdose, and death.

Can People Snort Meth?

Snorting meth is one of many techniques used by people who abuse this drug.

The most common ways of ingesting meth include swallowing it, dissolving it into a liquid and injecting it, smoking it, and grinding it into a powder and snorting it, 

The effects that a person experiences can vary depending on which technique they use. However, it’s important to understand that none of these choices are risk-free. There is simply no such thing as safe meth abuse.

Why Do People Snort Meth?

Some people snort meth because they mistakenly believe that this technique isn’t as dangerous as other ways of using the drug. However, as we alluded to at the end of the previous section, the only safe choice regarding meth abuse is to abstain completely from this potentially deadly behavior.

Other people may snort meth because they have the drug in pill form, and they want to experience its effects quicker than they would if they took it orally. If someone swallows meth as a pill, they will usually begin to feel the effects of the drug in about 15-20 minutes – but if they grind the pill up and snort it, they can start to feel the effects in as little as three to five minutes.

Effects of Snorting Meth

Snorting meth can produce the following effects:

• Euphoric rush
• Elevated heart rate and blood pressure
• Increased energy
• Diminished need for sleep
• Heightened sex drive
• Boost in self-confidence
• Greater focus and concentration
• Anxiety and paranoia
• Clenching jaw and grinding teeth
• Dilated pupils
• Dry mouth

Snorting meth can also lead to addiction. 

Meth’s effects are typically intense but brief, and they are often followed by a physical and psychological crash. The desire to extend the drug’s effects and avoid the crash can prompt people to engage in extended meth binges, which involve taking the drug multiple times over a relatively short period. This repeated use can quickly cause a person to become addicted.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has estimated that about 2.5 million Americans ages 12 and older used meth in the previous 12 months, and about 1.6 million people had methamphetamine use disorder (meth addiction) during the same period.

Dangers of Snorting Meth

People who snort meth expose themselves to considerable danger, including immediate harm and long-term damage. When a person’s meth use turns into an addiction, their risk for significant harm can increase dramatically.

The following are examples of the many negative physical and psychological effects of snorting meth:

• Aggressive or violent behaviors
• Cardiovascular damage
• Cognitive impairments
• Confusion and disorientation
• Elevated risk of heart attack and stroke
• Harm to the kidneys and liver
• Breathing problems
• Extensive dental damage 
• Scabs and sores due to excessive scratching
• Injuries due to impaired behaviors
• Hallucinations and delusions
• Onset or worsening of mental illnesses
• Overdose death

Meth-related overdose deaths have increased considerably throughout the current century, with a significant spike occurring between 2015-2021:

• According to NIDA, in 1999 there were 547 overdose deaths involving psychostimulants with abuse potential (a category that consists primarily of meth overdoses). 
• By 2015, the annual number of overdose deaths in this category had increased nearly tenfold, rising to 5,417.
• In 2021, the annual number of overdose deaths involving meth or similar substances had skyrocketed to 32,587.

Individuals who snort meth also put themselves at risk for social and financial difficulties, such as:

• Being arrested and jailed
• Diminished performance at work or in school
• Job loss and long-term unemployment
• Financial problems
• Disrupted relationships
• Loss of personal support network
• Social isolation
• Homelessness

Treatment Options for Meth Addiction

It’s hard to imagine how there could be any good news about meth addiction, but there is one glimmer of hope for anyone who struggles with this condition: It is treatable. When a person receives appropriate services that address the full scope of their needs, they can escape the chains of compulsive meth addiction and live a much healthier life in recovery.

When someone enters treatment for meth addiction, one of the first decisions is determining which level of care is right for them:

• Detoxification may be necessary for people who haven’t been able to get through meth withdrawal on their own.
• Inpatient rehab may be the ideal option for individuals who can benefit from residing in a closely supervised, drug-free environment where they can receive 24/7 support.
• Outpatient programs may be the right choice for people who don’t need round-the-clock services. Patients may enter treatment directly at the outpatient level, or they may transfer to an outpatient program after completing detox and/or inpatient rehab.

The therapeutic component of meth addiction treatment can help patients understand the root causes of their addictive behaviors, identify their triggers, and develop the skills that will enable them to deal with life’s stresses and pressures without resorting to substance abuse.

Depending on a patient’s needs and goals, their treatment team may include the following therapies in their customized plan:

• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
• Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT)
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy
• Individual and group sessions
• Family therapy sessions
• Neurofeedback
• Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy

Before a patient transitions out of treatment, they should also receive a discharge plan to guide their continued progress. This plan may include information about community-based resources and other services that can help them as they progress in their recovery.

Contact Our Treatment Center in Los Angeles, California

Snorting meth can quickly transform from an ill-advised recreational behavior into a life-threatening compulsion. If you’ve been struggling with meth addiction, please know that help is available. When you get the care you need, you can start living the healthier life you deserve.

Sanctuary Treatment Center is a trusted source of superior care for adults in the Los Angeles area whose lives have been disrupted by meth addiction. Our rehab center is a safe and welcoming place where you can receive personalized services and focused support from a team of highly skilled professionals. With our help, you can end your meth use for good and discover the hope and promise of life in recovery. 

To learn more or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Contact Us page or call us today.  

Is meth additive? Yes, extremely so. Can meth’s addictive properties devastate a person’s life? Again, yes. Can you escape the pull of meth addiction and achieve a drug-free future? Thankfully, the answer to this question is also yes. Educating yourself about meth addiction and treatment can help you make the best decisions for yourself or on behalf of a loved one.

What Is Meth Made Of?

Meth, which is short for methamphetamine, is a powerful stimulant that is derived from amphetamine. Both amphetamine and methamphetamine are synthetic substances. Unlike other substances of abuse, such as heroin and cocaine, neither amphetamine nor methamphetamine originate from plants or other natural sources.

Meth consists of two enantiomers, which are molecules that are mirror images of each other. In the case of meth, the two enantiomers are levomethamphetamine and dextromethamphetamine.

In the United States, methamphetamine is approved for use to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This legal methamphetamine, which is available only by prescription, is sold under the brand name Desoxyn.

Most of the methamphetamine that is abused for recreational purposes throughout the nation is illegally manufactured in covert “meth labs” that are often set up in houses, garages, or backyard sheds. This version of meth is typically made from ephedrine or pseudoephedrine.

As might be expected from such illicit sources, the meth that these labs produce may include a variety of additional chemicals, which may be incorporated into the manufacturing process either to create more powerful effects or to increase profit margins. 

Examples of the many substances that may be added to meth include:

• Acetone
• Baking soda
• Caffeine
• Ketamine
• Lithium
• Opioids
• Powdered milk
• Red phosphorous
• Sulfur

Some of these extra ingredients in meth are relatively harmless, while others are quite hazardous. One of the many dangers of meth abuse is that it increases a person’s risk for also ingesting other potentially deadly substances. 

Why Is Meth So Addictive?

Two common questions about meth are, “Is meth addictive?” and “How quickly is meth addictive?”

We’ll answer the first question here, and the second one in the next section.

When a person uses meth, the drug triggers a powerful, euphoric sensation along with an intense energy boost. When this effect wears off, a person may “crash” into exhaustion or depression. To avoid this crash, they may take meth over and over again, which can quickly turn from a dangerous behavior to an addiction.

Meth’s addictive properties may also be related to functional and structural changes that this drug causes within the brain and other parts of the central nervous system (CNS). 

For example, meth use triggers the release of three neurotransmitters: serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Continued exposure to meth can damage the body’s ability to naturally produce and disseminate these neurotransmitters. This can mean that the only way a person can continue to feel the pleasurable effects that serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine produce is to continue abusing meth.

Also, meth use can also cause cognitive impairments. A person who is not capable of thinking logically and making healthy decisions may not be able to resist the cravings that can be characteristic of meth addiction. 

How Long Does it Take to Get Addicted to Meth?

Contrary to a persistent myth, you can’t get addicted to meth after using the drug just once. However, as we discussed in the previous section, many people use meth multiple times in a brief period in order to maintain the high that this drug provides, and to avoid the physical and emotional crash that can occur when its effects wear off.

This means that meth addiction can occur within a matter of a few days or a few weeks, depending on factors such as how much meth a person has been using, how often they have been using it, and how their body responds to the presence of this drug. 

Can Meth Addicts Ever Recover?

We know meth is addictive. But once a person has developed a meth addiction, can they ever get better?

Yes, people who struggle with meth addiction can recover.

Most reputable experts view addiction as a chronic, progressive disease. This means that it will likely get worse over time if a person doesn’t get effective help. It also means that the goal of treatment isn’t to cure the person, but rather to empower them to manage their symptoms and remain in recovery.

This applies to all substance addictions, including meth addiction. As we have discussed, meth is a powerful, highly addictive substance. But a diagnosis of meth addiction is not a death sentence. When you get the care you need, you can stop using meth and start living a healthier and more hopeful life in recovery.

What are the Best Treatment Options for Meth Addiction?

When you are evaluating meth addiction treatment options, one of the first points to consider is which levels of care are right for you. At Sanctuary Treatment Center, we offer the following programs for people who have become trapped by meths’ addictive properties:

• Detoxification
• Inpatient rehab
• Outpatient treatment

Depending on which program you are in and other individual factors, your care may include elements such as the following:

• Individual, group, and family therapy
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy
• Neurofeedback
• Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) treatment

Some of these services may focus directly on your struggles with meth addiction. Others may address the underlying causes or co-occurring disorders that may have contributed to your meth addiction or prevented you from getting help sooner.

Contact Sanctuary, Our Meth Addiction Treatment Center in California

Sanctuary Treatment Center is a trusted provider of life-affirming care for adults whose lives have been harmed by the addictive nature of meth. With our help, you can end your meth abuse and build a healthy life in recovery. To learn more or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Contact Us page or call us today.