Methamphetamine, or meth as most people refer to it, became a popular topic for discussion in light of the television show Breaking Bad. The show was intense and dramatic and, unfortunately, realistic in its depictions of the devastation meth can cause. For many Americans, that show is their reality and many of them end up experiencing a methamphetamine overdose. Seeking a meth addiction rehab for addiction treatment is the key to start healing.

How Does a Methamphetamine Overdose Happen

Meth addiction is complex disease where users are unable to stop using methamphetamines. Meth is a stimulant drug which gives the users intense energy. Unfortunately, that energy often devolves into aggression or violence. Meth users can be dangerous, especially those that use meth over a long period of time.

A methamphetamine overdose can happen for a number of reasons. Typically, the longer a person uses meth, the more they’ll have to take to achieve desirable results.

Overdoses can also happen if the person has a pre-existing condition, such as high blood pressure. Since meth is a stimulant, it forces the body into overdrive and puts a severe strain on the heart. Those with high blood pressure or hypertension issues are at an increased risk for heart attack or stroke.

One of the most common ways that methamphetamine overdose happens is from combining substances. Using meth alongside other drugs or alcohol can adversely affect or intensify the effects of methamphetamines. This is especially dangerous because most people don’t know how drugs interact and certain drugs have deadly effects a user takes them together.

Acute vs. Chronic Methamphetamine Overdose

There are two primary forms of methamphetamine overdose: chronic and acute. Acute overdose is what most people more commonly believe to be an overdose. Acute overdose is an extremely dangerous medical emergency that will be fatal if the user does not receive medical attention. Symptoms of an acute methamphetamine overdose include:

• High body temperature and blood pressure
• Difficulty breathing
• Agitation
• Paranoia
• Stomach cramps and pain
• Chest pains
• Enlarged pupils

If a person doesn’t receive medical attention and these symptoms persist, then the user is at severe risk for stroke, heart attack, and/or kidney failure.

While acute methamphetamine overdose is an immediate medical emergency, chronic methamphetamine overdose can be just as concerning. Chronic overdose occurs if a person uses methamphetamines over a long period of time. At this point, the addiction is severe and adversely affects the user’s everyday functions.

Signs of a chronic methamphetamine overdose include:

• Sleep problems
• Anxiety
• Mood swings
• Aggressive behavior
• Extreme weight loss
• Skin sores
• Paranoia and hallucinations
• Dental issues

Some of these issues can be permanent if the user suffers from methamphetamine addiction for long enough. Signs of chronic methamphetamine overdose can also mean that a person is nearing a lethal dosage and may soon have an acute methamphetamine overdose.

To prevent a lethal outcome from a methamphetamine overdose, call emergency services as soon as possible and help the user find a reliable drug addiction rehab facility.