What does taking methaphetamine (meth) feel like? Some of those who use meth say crystal meth produces a high like none other. The drug works by flooding the brain with high amounts of dopamine, one of the brain chemicals responsible for feeling pleasure. Dopamine can make you feel euphoric and invincible. As one continues to abuse meth, the intensity of that high gets weaker.
Many who struggle with meth abuse say they keep trying to chase the intense meth high they got the first time they used meth. They know they’ll never get it, but that doesn’t stop them from trying. This cycle is how you can quickly develop an addiction to meth and tolerance to its pleasurable effects. Reach out to The Right Step today to learn how our meth addiction treatment program can help you or a loved one kick the habit for good.
Understanding the Effects of Meth Abuse
Methamphetamine is a substance that can have profound effects on both the mind and body. No matter the form in which it’s used, meth can create similar intense changes while a person is “high.” Apart from meth “highs,” other effects of meth abuse can include:
- Increase in energy and alertness
- Loss of appetite leading to weight loss
- Rapid heart rate, elevated blood pressure, increased body temperature
- Irritability, anxiety, paranoia, hallucinations, aggressive behavior
- Insomnia or sleeping for extended periods of time
The way meth is taken can impact how quickly it affects the brain. Smoking or injecting meth delivers the drug faster than swallowing or snorting it. Some may crush it into a powder to inject, while others may choose to swallow or snort it. Each of these methods can lead to a powerful and potentially dangerous “high.”
What Are Meth Highs and Crashes Like?
Methamphetamine addiction is a serious challenge, but recovery is always possible with the right support and understanding. Meth creates feelings of euphoria by significantly increasing dopamine levels, the same chemical that enhances pleasure when eating a favorite meal or engaging in enjoyable activities. However, the effects of meth are far more intense, which can lead to harmful patterns of use. While using meth, you may feel extremely alert, focused, or even invincible, but this cycle of highs and lows can take a toll on both the mind and body. Let’s break down the stages of meth use to better understand its effects and how recovery can begin.
The Rush: Intense and Immediate
The “rush” occurs within minutes of smoking or injecting meth. This initial phase lasts a few minutes to an hour and is marked by a surge of adrenaline and dopamine, creating intense physical sensations and euphoria. While the feelings may seem exhilarating, they come with risks, such as increased heart rate, rapid breathing, and shakiness, which can strain the body.
The High: Temporary Pleasure
Following the rush, individuals experience a longer-lasting high, sometimes for several hours. This phase is characterized by feelings of confidence, energy, and restlessness. However, these effects often lead to risky behaviors, such as aggression, neglecting self-care, or engaging in unsafe activities. Physically, meth can raise heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature to dangerous levels, increasing the risk of irregular heartbeats, seizures, or other life-threatening conditions.
The Binge: Chasing the High
Many individuals try to prolong the high by binging on meth, using it continuously for days or even weeks. However, with each use, the effects diminish, and the body begins to resist the drug. This leads to repeated use in an attempt to avoid the next phase—tweaking.
Tweaking: Exhaustion and Confusion
Tweaking occurs when the body can no longer achieve a high. At this point, dopamine levels are depleted, and the body is physically and emotionally drained. This phase can bring intense feelings of anxiety, depression, agitation, and even hallucinations. It’s common for individuals to feel disoriented and unsafe during this stage, but it’s important to remember that this is not the end of the journey. Support and care can make all the difference in helping someone move past this challenging phase.
The Crash: Recovery Begins
After a meth binge, the body enters a crash phase, marked by extreme fatigue and low energy. This stage can last for several days, and repeated cycling between binge and crash can worsen mental and physical health over time. Meth use changes the brain’s ability to produce dopamine naturally, making it harder to feel pleasure without the drug. This can lead to increased use, rising tolerance, and eventually addiction.
Why Meth Addiction Treatment Is Necessary
Recovery from methamphetamine addiction is challenging, but it is absolutely possible with the proper support, treatment, and determination. According to an article published by the Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment, 36 % and 61 % of individuals who use meth relapse within six months and one year following treatment, respectively. These numbers highlight just how vital proper care and guidance can be. Choosing an inpatient addiction treatment center can provide a safe, supportive environment where you can focus entirely on your healing journey, away from the triggers that may lead to substance use. This is a place where you can learn the coping skills needed to navigate everyday life while staying sober.
At drug rehab centers, care goes beyond addressing addiction—it also focuses on co-occurring mental health conditions that often accompany substance abuse. These mental health challenges, such as bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or struggles with other substances, can fuel addiction or arise as a result of it. Changes in dopamine caused by meth use may contribute to conditions like depression, or a pre-existing mental health issue might lead to turning to substances as a way to cope.
In our rehab community, you’ll find compassionate psychiatric specialists and a strong peer support network. Together, they work to address these mental health symptoms with the care and expertise you deserve. Recovery is not just about overcoming addiction—it’s about embracing hope and building a foundation for a healthier, more fulfilling life.
Get Started on Effective Meth Addiction Treatment at The Right Step Today
If methamphetamine addiction is controlling your life or that of a loved one, know that recovery is within reach. Contact our team online or call 17135283709 today to connect with compassionate addiction treatment specialists. Our dedicated team is here to guide you toward a brighter future, free from addiction. You are not alone—together, we can take the first step toward the life you deserve.
