Meth Overdose

A meth overdose occurs when the user’s body takes in more of the drug then they can physically handle. This may be unintentional (simply taking too much recreationally) or intentional (attempting suicide). There are many variables that factor into a lethal dose of meth. Variables include: characteristics of the drug, the user’s sensitivity to the chemicals in the drug, their personal tolerance to the drug, if other drugs were taken at the same time and so on. This means a toxic dose for one meth user may not cause any significant reactions in another. Another issue with meth overdose is that users do not always realize immediately that they have taken a lethal dose of the drug. An overdose of meth is characterized by a rapid onset of physiological deterioration. This eventually leads to a heart attack or stroke. Because of the rapid onset of physiological deterioration, death proceeds suddenly and unexpectedly is many cases.

Less severe symptoms of meth overdose that may lead to deadly consequences include: excessive sweating, faster breathing, rapid heart rate and enlarged pupils. These symptoms are caused by the overstimulation of the user’s sympathetic nervous system. Because meth acts on the user’s sympathetic nervous system it causes an increase release of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. The drug also blocks the uptake of norepinephrine, permitting norepinephrine to remain active in the body. The increase in norepinephrine release and its ability to remain in the user’s body accelerates the heart rate, constricts blood vessels, and raises blood pressure.

As the user suffers from a meth overdose their heart begins to beat faster. Their body expends more energy to accommodate this extra workload causing their temperature to rise. With their increased temperature, the drug user begins to sweat profusely. Their profuse sweating causes them to loose necessary fluids resulting in dehydration. Once dehydration sets in their body no longer has an effective way (sweating) to release the heat that has accumulated. Their body temperature rises dangerously high.

When this happens ice blankets can be used to cool the user’s body externally while special drugs are administered to control their internal temperature. If coherent enough, the drug user can drink liquids to help prevent excessive dehydration and restore their bodily fluids. These symptoms of meth overdose (increased heart rate, increased blood pressure and vascular constriction) affect numerous organ systems in the user leading to heart problems, stroke and acute kidney failure.

Severe meth overdose signs include high temperature, rapid onset of kidney failure and cardiovascular collapse. The high temperature that users experience is attributed to both an overactive sympathetic nervous system and overworked muscles. Also, as we mentioned above when the user experiences dehydration they can no longer release the heat that is building up in their body causing a spike in their body temperature.

Another sign of meth overdose includes muscle twitching and muscle contractions. When these symptoms are coupled with hyperthermia it leads to muscle breakdown. As the drug user’s muscles breakdown it releases byproducts (proteins) that overload the kidney. Often their kidney is not able to handle this overload. Meth overdose can also cause cardiovascular collapse due to the constriction of the user’s blood vessels. The decrease in blood flow may also lead to tissue and cell death of the heart. The heart’s output slows down and eventually collapses.

Symptoms of a Meth overdose include: user could see spots (due to pressure on the nerves of eye) sweating sudden and dangerous increase in blood pressure high fever dangerous rise in body temperature convulsions chances of heart attack, stroke, or coma cardiovascular collapse hyperactivity fast breathing muscle pain seizures coma nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea confusion shakiness aggressiveness hallucinations (seeing, hearing or feeling things that are not really there)

If you suspect that you or someone you’re with is experiencing a meth overdose there are ways to prevent them from losing their life. First, contact 911. Or, if you are able to take them to a hospital do so immediately and get them medical attention. Time is of the essence so do not procrastinate in hopes that they will “get better” on their own. When they receive medical care the health care provider will want to know how the drug was taken and how much was ingested. If the overdose took place very recently and the drug was taken orally then the health care worker may administer certain medicines or even place a tube in their stomach to “pump the stomach.”

Additional treatment for a meth overdose may include: Close monitoring of the heart and lungs Fluids through an intravenous line (IV) Medications to lower blood pressure Other treatments based on complications that occur
 

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