What Does Methamphetamine Addiction Feel Like?

Over the past decade, methamphetamine (commonly referred to as meth) use has seen a significant increase in Indiana, mirroring trends observed in other parts of the United States.

Data from recent years indicates that several counties in Indiana have experienced a surge in deaths linked to meth use, with the state reporting that deaths from psychostimulant overdose rose 640% from 2016 to 2022.

Meth also consistently appears as one of the most frequently identified substances in law enforcement drug seizures in Indiana. Between 2013 and 2017, meth dealing went up by 112%, while possession charges increased a whopping 502%.

Also known as crystal meth, methamphetamine is a powerful stimulant that affects the central nervous system. It significantly alters an individual’s thinking patterns, behaviors, and overall physical and mental health. Appreciating how someone with a meth addiction thinks and feels can serve as a crucial first step in guiding them toward the help they need. For those striving to assist a loved one or understand their own experiences, this insight can pave the way toward more effective treatment and recovery.

How Meth Affects Thoughts and Emotions

Meth’s profound effects on the brain mean that individuals addicted to it often experience dramatic changes in their feelings and thought processes. When under the influence, or “high,” a person using meth may display:

• Confusion: A distorted sense of reality, difficulty making decisions, and trouble following a logical train of thought.
• Euphoria: An intensely pleasurable emotional state that can create a false sense of well-being and happiness.
• High Energy Levels: Unusually heightened alertness, wakefulness, and the feeling of having boundless energy.
• Increased Confidence: A belief that one is more capable, more intelligent, or more important than they truly are.
• Increased Productivity: A perception of being able to accomplish tasks quickly and efficiently, even if the quality of work suffers.
• Feelings of Power: A sensation of being in control or having power over one’s environment, decisions, or other people.
• Paranoia: Persistent mistrust, fear, and anxiety about the intentions of those around them, often accompanied by delusional thinking.

These mental and emotional shifts are driven by changes in how the brain’s chemistry operates under the influence of meth.

What Does Meth Do to the Brain and Body?

Meth primarily exerts its effects by increasing levels of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is a chemical messenger associated with pleasure, reward, motivation, and movement regulation. When meth floods the brain’s reward centers with dopamine, it produces a high that encourages repeated use. The person quickly learns that taking meth leads to an intense but short-lived rush of euphoria and energy.

Even small amounts of meth can have noticeable health effects. Short-term physiological changes include:

• Decreased Appetite: Reduced hunger and interest in food.
• Elevated Body Temperature: An increase in core body temperature that can become dangerous.
• Faster Breathing and Heart Rate: A heightened respiratory rate and a rapid, sometimes irregular heartbeat.
• Feeling More Awake: A pronounced sense of alertness and difficulty sleeping.
• High Blood Pressure: An increase in blood pressure that can strain the cardiovascular system.
• Increased Attention and Activity: A burst of focus and energy, though often scattered and unproductive.
• Irregular Heartbeat: Potential arrhythmias that pose serious cardiac risks.

Long-term meth use can lead to a host of severe and enduring health consequences, such as:

• Addiction: A chronic, relapsing condition characterized by uncontrollable meth use despite harmful consequences.
• Anxiety and Confusion: Lingering emotional disturbances and inability to think clearly.
• Dental Problems (“Meth Mouth”): Severe tooth decay and gum disease resulting from poor dental hygiene, dry mouth, and teeth grinding.
• Hallucinations: Sensory distortions, including seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not real.
• Itching and Skin Sores: Repetitive scratching due to sensations like bugs crawling under the skin, leading to open sores.
• Memory Loss: Difficulty recalling events, information, and even daily tasks.
• Paranoia: Prolonged mistrust and suspiciousness that can lead to erratic or violent behavior.
• Violent Behavior: Heightened irritability and aggression, often due to the drug’s impact on the brain’s emotional regulation.

What Does a Meth High Feel Like?

When someone is high on meth, they might feel a heightened state of alertness and arousal. This can manifest as either a sense of euphoria or, in some cases, confusion and paranoia. Meth often reduces inhibitions, causing risky or impulsive behaviors. Because it is a stimulant, meth amplifies the activity of multiple bodily systems, giving a sensation of being “revved up.”

How a person uses meth influences the speed and intensity of the high. Injecting or smoking meth introduces the drug into the bloodstream quickly, resulting in a rapid and intense rush. Snorting or swallowing meth produces a slower onset, with effects that develop more gradually.

The Initial Rush

Immediately after use, especially when smoking or injecting, a user may experience a short-lived but intense rush. During this rush, which can last up to 20 minutes, the heart rate accelerates, breathing quickens, and blood pressure spikes. Some individuals feel a surge of excitement or pleasure, while others may feel emotionally detached or “numb,” a state known as emotional blunting. Swallowing or snorting meth usually does not produce the same dramatic initial rush.

The High Phase

After the initial rush subsides, the high phase sets in, lasting roughly 18 to 24 hours. During this time, a person might believe they are more capable, intelligent, or powerful. The sense of heightened productivity can lead them to engage in tasks repetitively, though the quality often declines. The pursuit of maintaining the high can push individuals into a binge cycle—using meth repeatedly over days or even weeks. This relentless use aims to recapture the diminishing rush, but over time, the body builds tolerance, and achieving that intense euphoria becomes increasingly elusive.

Tweaking

Eventually, after prolonged use, the individual reaches a point where they can no longer achieve the initial rush or maintain the high. This transition leads into a state known as “tweaking.” Tweaking is characterized by severe discomfort, agitation, paranoia, and sometimes hallucinations. The distorted perception that insects are crawling under the skin prompts incessant scratching, resulting in telltale sores. During tweaking, a person may become fixated on a single idea or activity for hours or even days. This phase persists until the individual collapses from exhaustion, often sleeping for one to three days—referred to as the “crash.”

How Long Does a Meth High Last?

The duration of a meth high can vary based on factors such as the method of ingestion and the user’s tolerance. Generally, smoking meth provides a more extended high than other methods, often lasting 18 to 24 hours. However, repeated use within a short timeframe can prolong the period of intoxication, leading to longer binges and more severe aftereffects.

What Does Meth Withdrawal Feel Like?

As soon as meth use stops, the body begins to clear the drug from its system. About half of the meth taken is eliminated within 6 to 15 hours, but withdrawal symptoms can set in as the body attempts to adapt to the absence of the drug. While physical symptoms may subside relatively quickly, psychological and emotional struggles, such as anxiety, paranoia, depression, and aggression, can linger for weeks or even months.

Meth withdrawal typically unfolds in two phases. The initial or acute phase usually occurs within 24 hours after the last dose. During this period, symptoms peak in intensity, often including fatigue, increased appetite, irritability, depression, and anxiety. These acute symptoms gradually diminish over 7 to 10 days.

Following the acute withdrawal phase, a subacute phase emerges. During the subacute phase, withdrawal symptoms may be less intense but can persist for an additional two weeks or more. Psychological symptoms, such as mood instability and persistent cravings, are common during this period.

Meth Addiction Treatment in Indianapolis, IN

When meth addiction takes hold, it can dominate every aspect of a person’s life, impairing their emotional stability, physical health, and social connections. Although the effects of meth can be devastating, there is hope for recovery. Comprehensive, professional treatment can help individuals break free from the cycle of addiction and rediscover a healthier, more balanced life.

The Recovery Village Indianapolis provides a continuum of care for those struggling with meth addiction, starting with onsite medical detox to help manage withdrawal safely and comfortably. After detox, patients can transition into inpatient care tailored to their specific needs and goals. These treatment options often incorporate evidence-based therapies, medication management, group counseling, and individualized care plans.

If you or someone you care about is dealing with meth addiction or experiencing withdrawal symptoms, help is available. Contact The Recovery Village Indianapolis today to speak with an intake specialist who can guide you through our treatment programs. By reaching out, you can take that first critical step toward a lasting recovery and a future free from the destructive grasp of methamphetamine.