Can you Snort Meth?
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, methamphetamine is considered to be a significant drug of abuse with about 1.5 million Americans having a meth use disorder during 2020. Methamphetamine is a lab-made psychomotor stimulant drug with a high potential for addiction. The Schedule II controlled substance is only legally available through a non-refillable prescription used to treat symptoms of ADHD and short-term treatment of obesity. Most often, meth is manufactured illicitly through common ingredients such as pseudoephedrine, acetone, paint thinner, battery acid, lithium, drain cleaner, iodine, and ether.
The most common method of meth ingestion is through smoking or injecting. However, the substance can also be snorted intranasal. Some people believe snorting meth is a safer alternative to other methods of using the drug. Snorting can lead to less intense effects, which is why many believe it can be a less risky option. However, research has found that even snorting meth can result in the same if not more dangerous adverse health consequences as other methods of meth intake.
What is Meth?
Meth is a stimulant that impacts the central nervous system. It creates an extended period of excitement and activity in the body due to the rush of dopamine. Dopamine is a neurochemical associated with feelings of pleasure, motivation, reward processing, learning and memory retention. This usually creates sensations of high energy, alertness, decreased appetite, intense feelings of happiness and euphoria. When the body is constantly being exposed to meth, the flood of dopamine can cause adverse side effects such as paranoia, anxiety, rapid heart rate, irregular heart rate, increased blood pressure, kidney damage, stroke and overdose.
The effects of meth can be felt immediately within 20 minutes or so. This also means the euphoric effects can also wear off just as quickly. When the effects have gone, users go into a state of what is known as a crash period where they experience intense negative and depressive feelings. To avoid experiencing a crash, many users continue to binge on meth and ultimately develop a tolerance, dependence and addiction to the stimulant drug.
Can you Snort Meth?
Yes, you can snort meth. Some people are under the impression that snorting meth is less dangerous and carries decreased health risks. Snorting meth produces a milder high making people believe there is also less risk of overdosing and developing an addiction. In reality, snorting meth can be just as dangerous if not more dangerous compared to smoking or injecting the drug. It can also pose a higher risk of addiction. The mild effects of snorting can lead users to believe they need higher or more frequent amounts in an attempt to achieve a more intense high. Over time, frequent and higher doses will result in addiction and overdose.
Snorting meth can be very dangerous. There is a high concentration of thin blood vessels within the nasal passageway that allow for quick absorption of meth into the body when it is snorted. This allows meth to enter the bloodstream almost immediately and stimulate the release of neurochemicals such as dopamine and norepinephrine.
The sensitive mucosal membrane in the nose can become dry and irritated over time with constant meth use. It will cause damage to the nasal cavity resulting in nosebleeds, runny nose and damage to the nasal septum.
Snorting meth is also referred to as railing. Railing is a method also referred to as hot railing. It is a mix of snorting and smoking meth. Hot railing involves heating one end of a glass tube and using it to inhale lines of powdered crystal meth. The hot end of the glass tube heats the meth so it is vaporized as it travels up the tube creating a smoke-like substance that is inhaled nasally.
Dangers of Snorting Meth
Snorting meth or any type of drug can cause severe damage to the nasal area. It can damage the sinuses, increase nosebleeds, damage the nasal lining and damage the nasal tissues. This can cause a loss of smell, loss of taste and loss of the ability to breathe through the nostrils.
Snorting meth can also make a user more prone to tweaking. Tweaking is a physical and psychological state that occurs when you binge on meth. Tweaking is a term used to describe when a person can go on for days without sleep, has a loss of appetite and can go extended periods of no food while high on meth. The user can become extremely irritable and even experience paranoia and psychosis.
In order to avoid a meth crash, the user will continue to use causing days of insomnia leading to altered perceptions, delusions and hallucinations. When they finally come down, users can sleep for days followed by feelings of extreme hunger, thirst and exhaustion as the body attempts to rebalance. The comedown from meth can also mean experiencing withdrawal symptoms such as depression, anxiety, paranoia and irritability. Users typically experience withdrawal symptoms within 24 hours after last use.
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Short-Term Effects of Snorting Meth
- Euphoria
- Decreased appetite
- Increased energy
- Talkativeness
- Increased respiration
- Hyperthermia
- Increased blood pressure
- Irregular heartbeat
- Dry mouth
- Irritability
- Tremors
- Sleepiness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Paranoia
- Unpredictable behavior
- Uncontrollable jaw-clenching
- Immediate irritation of nostrils and nasal passageways
- Risk of choking if you snort too much powder at once
Long-Term Effects of Snorting Meth
- Anxiety and depression
- Confusion
- Delusions
- Mood swings
- Motor issues due to brain damage
- Difficulty with memory and concentration
- Liver damage
- Kidney failure
- Cardiovascular damage
- Suicidal thoughts
- Weight loss
- Seizure
- Nasal inflammation
- Chronic bloody nose or sinus infections
- Damage to the nasal septum
- Meth psychosis results in self-destructive behavior, hallucinations and violence
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Treatment for Meth Use Disorder
Meth is a powerful substance regardless of its method of administration. Whether it is smoked, injected or snorted, meth can produce intense euphoric feelings followed by adverse side effects. Meth is often used in a binge and crash pattern resulting in the development of drug tolerance, dependence and addiction. How can you tell if someone you know might be snorting meth? Some of the major signs to look for include facial tics, a runny nose, repeated motor activity, delusional thinking, erratic sleeping patterns, borrowing money, your valuables going missing and a lack of personal hygiene from the person. These may all be telling signs that a person is snorting meth.
Hotel California by the Sea is a behavioral health treatment program that specializes in substance use disorder treatment. We have specialty programs available for those who are in need of treatment for stimulant use disorders such as an addiction to meth. We offer treatment at all levels of care including detox, residential, PHP and IOP. Our program utilizes evidence-proven treatment methods such as CBT, DBT, group therapy and family therapy. Hotel California by the Sea is dedicated to helping our clients achieve goals of sobriety while overcoming their addiction.
References:
https://www.drugrehab.com/addiction/drugs/crystal-meth/snorting
https://www.rehabcenter.net/methamphetamine/insufflation/
https://vertavahealth.com/meth/insufflation/
https://www.alinalodge.org/addiction-treatment/dangers-of-snorting-crystal-meth/
https://npaddictionclinic.com/blog/snorting-meth
https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/methamphetamine