Smoking Meth - Addiction Center

How Is Meth Smoked?

Methamphetamine (meth) is typically smoked from a small glass pipe in crystal form. Once inhaled, users experience the effects of meth quickly, including a rush of serotonin and dopamine resulting in a euphoric feeling and sudden energy. After the initial rush, users may still feel effects of the drug for up to 12 hours. Users might also experience increased blood pressure, elevated body temperature, dilated pupils, and sleeplessness while under the influence of the drug. Smoking meth can result in lesions or burns in the mouth, on the lips, gums, and inside the cheeks.

Cooking meth is fairly simple, so most people making it have no chemistry training, but it is very dangerous and toxic to make. Some of the chemicals can ignite and explode if stored improperly, resulting in fires. Some chemicals can cause serious burns if they touch the skin. Even without a fire or direct touch, inhaling the chemicals from meth can result in disorientation, dizziness, damage to internal organs, and respiratory problems. Meth is cooked into a crystal form and is sometimes called ice, speed, crystal, or blue. It is extremely addictive and difficult to quit once a user starts.

The Consequences Of Smoking Meth

Continued meth use can result in “meth mouth.” Meth mouth is severe dental decay in a continued meth user’s mouth. Several factors contribute to meth mouth. When a user is high on methamphetamine, they might experience a craving for sugary foods and drinks, which can lead to tooth decay without proper dental care.

People struggling with a meth addiction often lack basic hygiene and will not floss or brush their teeth for prolonged periods of time. The acidic chemicals in meth are also damaging to the teeth. The first signs of tooth decay typically start at the gums, and then attack the teeth, causing the two front teeth to fall out first. Some common effects of meth are the user feeling anxious, hyper, and paranoid.

Other common effects include euphoria, irritability, confusion, insomnia, and aggression. The feelings of anxiety and overstimulation lead people to grind and clench their teeth which can cause them to break. The lack of pain users feel when smoking meth can lead them to not feel what is happening inside their mouths.

Find a Treatment Center Near You

Discover affordable rehab centers near you, offering easy access and convenience. Stay close to family and friends while getting the support you need.

• Detox
• Inpatient Rehab
• Outpatient Rehab

Search OR Speak to a treatment center directly (870) 515-8609

What Is Tweaking?

To avoid meth withdrawal symptoms and the inevitable depression that comes with detoxification, users may keep smoking meth every few hours. The constant drug consumption keeps users alert and at a sustained high.

According to the Center for Substance Abuse Research, tweaking is when a user has not slept in 3 to 15 days from abusing methamphetamine. “Tweakers” will feel irritable, paranoid, have a craving for more meth, and sometimes act violently. Physical signs include darting eyes, a quivering voice, and quick, jerky movements. This frantic behavior is often seen in long-term meth users.

Addiction To Smoking Meth

Long-term meth abuse can result in brain damage, high blood pressure, stroke, liver and kidney damage, prolonged paranoia, hallucinations and delusions. One common hallucination is that insects are crawling under the skin, causing users to scratch and pick at the skin, tearing it open and creating meth sores that can lead to infection.

There is a link between methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methamphetamine users. This infection spreads between users and is much more common in meth users than non-users. The motivation to continue using this dangerous drug is that long-term users struggle feeling any pleasure at all besides getting high.

The withdrawal symptoms from smoking meth that users feel are horrible, but usually resolved within 14 days. Fortunately, it is possible to recover from a meth addiction, as many treatment options for meth abuse are available.

Featured Centers Offering Treatment For Meth Addiction

Ad miles

Name

City , State Online Multiple Locations

Insurance Accepted Private Pay

more

Browse Treatment Centers

Quit Smoking Meth Today

Long-term meth use alters the brain and can make a life without methamphetamine seem daunting. If you or someone you know is addicted to smoking meth and want to start on the path to recovery, contact a treatment provider who can provide with rehab-related information. Treatment centers can aid in a safe detox from methamphetamine.