Keep in mind that with increased use of meth, there is a higher chance of:
- developing an addiction
- experiencing more severe effects from meth
- having worse withdrawal symptoms
- mixing with other drugs
- engaging in potential life-threatening behaviours (unsafe sex, used needles, etc.)
Short-Term Effects
These risks are commonly seen in avid users.
- Increased blood pressure and heart rate
- Difficulty breathing
- Extreme hot or cold
- Agitation, aggression
- Psychosis
- Infections
- Seizure
- Liver/kidney failure
- Coma
Overdose
As time progresses, repeated meth use can result in the development of physical dependence along with tolerance. As this tolerance grows, often a meth user will continually increase their usual dose in order to reach their desired high. This phenomenon is very threatening to the person’s health as too much consumption can lead to an overdose.
There are two types of overdoses: acute and chronic. Acute overdoses occur when a large amount of meth is consumed at once and the person experiences a negative reaction. This may be fatal in some cases, though the common signs of acute overdose are seen above in Short-Term Effects.
A chronic overdose refers to the cumulative health impact from long-term methamphetamine abuse. This type of overdose may cause the following effects seen below in Long-Term Effects. If left untreated, any overdose can be deadly.
If you know someone who is struggling with meth abuse, getting familiar with the signs of overdose could potentially save a life.
Long-Term Effects
These detriments are common for chronic users of methamphetamine.
- Atherosclerosis
- Hypertension
- Myocardial infarction
- Chronic heart failure
- Soft-tissue infection
- Sepsis
- Changes in cognitive function
- Personality disorders
For more information of effects of methamphetamine, visit Patient Care
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