Methamphetamine, also called meth, is an addictive synthetic stimulant that can affect your central nervous system. The other names for this drug are chalk, ice, crank, and crystal. Keep in mind that this addictive drug can lead to serious long- and short-term health problems like an overdose. Do you want to know more about this drug? Read more.
Methamphetamine Defined
Methamphetamine is a stimulant drug that can lead to serious health issues. Long-term consumption of meth can cause aggression, memory loss, severe dental problems, and drug-induced episodes.
Even though meth doesn’t have medical value, it can work by motivating the brain’s dopamine levels which can offer a euphoric feeling. Dopamine is among the primary chemicals of the brain which create pleasant sensations and stimulate you to feel good.
The law considers the drug a Schedule II substance in the United States. Since it is powerful, meth addiction is possible. So, you should be careful with substance use. Meth ingestion, even a small amount, can result in drug addiction and physical dependence.
Originally, methamphetamine was developed from amphetamine and used in bronchial inhalers and nasal decongestants. Today, only one legal meth exists, known as Desoxyn. It is prescribed by doctors for treating ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or weight loss.
Methamphetamine comes in various forms, including a glass-like crystal form, odorless, white powder, or pressed to a pill. Meth effects may last around 8 to 24 hours. Meth can be detected for up to 72 hours in the urine and about 90 days in the hair.
How Long Does Meth Stay in Your System?
How long does meth stay in your system and how long it can be detected in hair, blood, urine, and other tests can depend on several factors. Meth use comes with long-lasting effects. The substance can last up to four days to leave your body. It has about 10 hours half-life. With this, it takes your body around 10 hours to metabolize meth and remove half of the ingested amount from your bloodstream.
Metabolites can be present in a drug test for days after use. For example, you can get a positive urine test up to 4 days after meth ingestion. Meanwhile, hair tests may signify meth use for up to three months. In case you’re worried about the substance stays in your system, you can seek professional medical advice.
Long methamphetamine use or drug abuse can lead to severe psychological and physical problems. Your body begins absorbing meth once it enters the bloodstream. Some meth can be transformed into amphetamines inside your system. Your kidneys and liver also process amphetamines and meth. It filters the substance from your body through the urinary tract, where it can be expelled from the body.
What is the Half-Life of Methamphetamine?
The half-life of meth is about 9 to 24 hours. It suggests that meth takes 9 to 24 hours, for the meth amount in a person’s blood will be reduced by half.
How Long Does Meth Last?
If meth was consumed intravenously, the removal is a bit longer, around 12.2 hours. It was metabolized through liver enzymes and will be excreted by your kidneys through urine. Unlike other drugs, meth effects are long-lasting. Additionally, the ‘feel good’ feeling usually lasts about 6 to 12 hours and sometimes can last up to 24 hours.
After taking the illegal drug, most users can experience the stages of meth intoxication before crashing. These include the following stages.
The Rush
This phase happens after your first substance use. Commonly, it can end within 5 minutes, but it may last for about 30 minutes.
The High
In this stage, the first rush was followed by longer meth high. It is sometimes known as ‘the shoulder’; the high may last 4 to 16 hours.
The Binge
In the binge stage, a person can try maintaining the high by injecting or smoking more meth. The binge lasts from 3 to 15 days. In this phase, you may barely sleep or eat.
Tweaking
After long meth use, the drug will no longer give you a high. Then, you start ‘tweaking,’ a phase characterized by symptoms including paranoia. This stage can last up to 2 weeks.
Detecting Methamphetamine
As the meth high lasts less than a day, the drug stays in your system much longer. Like what we mentioned earlier, how long meth stay in your system depends on many factors. These include how often you use and how much meth you take.
The more methamphetamine you use, the longer it will take to clear your system. Moreover, the test to detect methamphetamine can also make a difference. There are various drug tests to detect meth in your system.
Blood
Crystal meth can be detected through a blood test. It is done 1 to 2 hours after use and about 3 days following the last dose.
Urine
Meth can also be detected in urine test 2 to 5 hours after taking and up to 7 days following the last use.
Saliva
Meth can be detected through a saliva test 10 minutes after drug use and about 4 days following the last intake.
Hair
A hair test can also detect meth in the human body in the past 90 days.
Detection time can be affected by different factors:
Frequency of use
For those who take the drug long, meth stays longer in the person’s system. It has a longer detection time compared to those using meth one time.
Overall health
A person’s overall health, including liver and kidney function, has a role in how the meth is cleared and processed in your body.
Metabolic rate
If you have a high metabolism, the process and excretion of the meth are quicker than people with a slower metabolism. Activity level, age as well as overall health can impact your metabolic rate.
Injecting VS smoking
The detection time of the drug can be affected if you consume the drug intravenously or orally. If you use it orally, it can be quickly eliminated than injecting the drug. On the other hand, if you take in a prescription form, it can remain longer in your bloodstream.
False Positive Testing with Meth
Urine tests are among the standard ways of drug testing. Additionally, immunoassays are considered the top urine drug testing approach. These are affordable and fast drug screening tools. However, it has a big drawback. It can detect substances with the same characteristics. So, it can lead to a false positive result. It also means, that there’s potential to test positive for meth even if you don’t use it.
The following over the counter medications can help in a false-positive result for the drug:
Antidepressants
Antibiotics
Anti-psychotics
Blood pressure control medicine
Decongestants
Central nervous system stimulants
Oral diabetes medicine
Due to the risk of false-positive results with the drug, testing to determine specific drugs is required for confirming a positive urine drug screen for meth. You should disclose the prescriptions you take for accurate drug screen results.
How to Get the Drug Out of Your System
If you’re worried about how long meth stays in your system, you should know how to get the drug out of your system. One way to to this is to stop substance use and allow time for methamphetamine metabolizes and remove the substance from your body. You should also drink lots of water and regular exercise to metabolize the drug quicker.
Overdose Symptoms
You should be aware of how long does meth stay in your system since it can lead to the risk of overdose. Drug abuse can lead to the following symptoms:
Difficulty in breathing
Chest pain
Heart attack
Extreme high body temperature
Paranoia
Irregular heartbeat
Kidney failure or damage
Seizures
Stroke
Severe agitation
Remember that symptoms of overdose can be life-threatening. With this, seeking professional help is essential. If you have a loved one struggling with meth addiction or drug abuse, you can get help from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration can offer advice on addiction medicine, treatment process, and withdrawal management with the substance.
Seeking Help with Meth Addiction
If you’re concerned with how long meth remains in your system, it is essential to seek medical supervision. Licensed medical professionals can safely guide you with withdrawal management and substance abuse treatment.
About 24 hours after stopping meth use, you may experience withdrawal symptoms that can range from mild to severe. Some common withdrawal symptoms include:
Cravings
Anxiety
Depression
Sleepiness and fatigue
Increased appetite
If this occurs, you should seek immediate medical professional assistance before it gets too late.
Conclusion
To sum it up, methamphetamine is a popular illicit drug that can lead to behavioral health conditions. With this, seeking treatment for chronic users with methamphetamine addiction is necessary. There are many treatment facilities like rehab facility to avoid the harmful effects of substance use.
A drug test is also essential to determine if meth stay in your system.
