Meth is a central nervous system stimulant that can quickly lead to addiction when abused. It is prescribed to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in some cases under the brand name Desoxyn. Meth users tend to buy the drug off of the street, which means it can contain dangerous additives and unknown chemicals.

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), “methamphetamine and other synthetic stimulants are responsible for approximately 30% of deaths” in 2022.[1]

Meth can be smoked, snorted, swallowed, or injected. While smoking or injecting are the most common ways to misuse meth, some people decide to snort it.

The short-term effects of snorting meth may include an intense rush, euphoria, increased blood pressure, and psychotic symptoms. If you snort meth long-term, you could develop an addiction, nasal damage, contract diseases, and experience life-threatening overdoses. For these reasons, meth addicts should always seek help from a professional treatment facility.

Why Do People Snort Meth?

Meth is a potent stimulant that can lead to intense energy, a euphoric rush, increased self-confidence, and paranoia or insomnia. Most people begin abusing meth by smoking it. Once their tolerance increases, they will begin looking for ways to make the high feel intense again. This is the main reason that people begin snorting meth.

After they have gotten used to the high of smoking it, snorting the drug can feel like they are trying the drug for the first time. Unfortunately, this does not last very long, as they will build a tolerance once again.

The short-term effects of snorting meth might include:

• Increased attention and significant energy
• A rush of euphoria
• Heightened activity and wakefulness
• Decreased need for food and sleep
• Fast breathing
• Excessive sweating
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Anxiety and paranoia
• Nose bleeds
• Dilated pupils

If you or a loved one snorts meth, it’s time to seek professional help. Drug rehab centers like Alamo Behavioral Health can offer the tools and support you need to regain control over your life.

Alamo Behavioral Health accepts many major insurance plans, including:

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What are the Risks of Snorting Meth?

Snorting meth poses tons of risks and dangers. For starters, you will develop an addiction to meth faster if you are snorting it. In addition, doing so could cause nasal damage, cardiac issues, infections, and even a life-threatening overdose. Because there are so many risks involved, it is best to seek help from an addiction treatment program.

The main dangers associated with snorting meth include:

Addiction

When you snort a drug, it travels to your brain and bloodstream faster. This will cause a more intense high than if you smoked it. As a result, you could become addicted to meth faster if you are snorting it.

The main signs of meth addiction include developing a tolerance, experiencing cravings, and dealing with withdrawal symptoms when you are not using it. If you have a hard time controlling how much meth you use, it’s probably time to seek treatment for meth addiction.

Sinus Problems

Some people think that snorting meth will prevent them from developing the tooth decay that is common among meth smokers. Unfortunately, you can still experience these issues because of how meth dries out your mouth. Instead of avoiding “meth mouth,” you will add sinus issues to your list of health problems.

Snorting meth can lead to a variety of sinus issues, including frequent nosebleeds, sinusitis, and rhinitis.

Nasal Damage

Once your sinus issues become more advanced, you might develop significant damage to your nasal passages. Meth is a crystalline substance, which means you are snorting hard and sharp rocks into your nose. Over time, this can lead to cuts throughout your nasal passages and even a perforated septum.

Cardiac Issues

Snorting methamphetamine can cause your blood vessels to constrict and spasm, increase your blood pressure to dangerous levels, and rewire your heart’s electrical system.[2] You can develop heart disease and experience emergencies like stroke or heart attack.

Infections and Diseases

Snorting meth means you are using straws or rolled-up dollar bills to get the substance into your nose. You might find yourself sharing these tools with your friends. Unfortunately, this puts you at risk of contracting diseases like HIV or hepatitis.[3]

Increased Risk of Overdose

Since snorting meth involves breaking up the crystals into a fine powder, you might not know what dose you are using. As a result, you are at a higher risk of consuming a fatal dose and experiencing an overdose.

The signs of a meth overdose include:

• Aggressive or violent behavior
• Extreme paranoia and suspicion
• Delusions or hallucinations
• Chest pain and irregular heartbeat
• Trouble breathing
• Increased body temperature
• Heart attack or cardiac arrest
• Seizures

If you or a loved one displays the above-mentioned symptoms, contact 911 immediately. After you are treated for your overdose, you should seek help from a drug abuse treatment center.

Find Help for Meth Abuse and Addiction

If you or a loved one suffers from meth addiction, it’s time to seek help. Alamo Behavioral Health is here to offer you evidence-based treatments and a compassionate approach to recovery.

Contact us today to learn more about our meth detox and addiction treatment program.

References:

1. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA): DEA Releases 2024 National Drug Threat Assessment
2. The American Heart Association (AHA): Meth and heart disease: A deadly crisis we don’t fully fathom, report says
3. Canada’s Source for HIV and Hepatitis C Information (CATIE): Safer Snorting