Recognizing and Responding to Meth Overdose

It is estimated that 32,537 people died from an overdose that involved methamphetamine in 2021.[12] 

Long-term methamphetamine use can lead to significant psychological problems, such as[13] 

• Delusions
• Hallucinations
• Extreme paranoia
• Extreme mood swings
• Insomnia

Long-term meth use can lead to physical problems such as

• Missing & rotted teeth
• Reoccurring infections
• Extreme weight loss
• Abscesses on skin

Methamphetamine, under the brand name Desoxyn, is indeed prescribed to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). While it is prescribed infrequently compared to other ADHD medications due to its high potential for abuse, it remains a viable option in specific cases where other treatments have failed. If it is prescribed as an ADHD treatment, it is at much lower levels than the levels people use recreationally.  

Smoking and injecting meth get the drug into a person’s bloodstream very quickly, giving them a “rush.” This rush is extremely pleasurable but only lasts for a few minutes. Snorting meth takes 2-3 minutes to feel the results, and taking it orally takes 20-30 minutes. Both snorting and orally ingesting meth result in a sense of euphoria but not the rush that smoking or injecting gives. 

Methamphetamine’s pleasurable effects begin to wane before the blood concentration of the drug falls. The person then takes more of the drug to maintain the high, and the blood concentration of the drug continues to climb. This is where the risk of overdose grows. This binge and crash pattern can lead to a person going on a “run,” meaning they stop eating and sleeping for days in an attempt to keep the high and avoid the crash. [14] 

Overamping is a term used for overdosing on a stimulant. It is frequently caused by [15] 

• Using too much meth
• Staying high too long
• Using meth with opioids (heroin, fentanyl), benzodiazepines, or alcohol
• Using drugs alone (when no one is there to help if problems come up)

In most states, Good Samaritan Laws provide legal protection for individuals who seek emergency help during an overdose, shielding them from prosecution for minor drug offenses. This is designed to encourage bystanders to report overdoses without fear of legal repercussions. [16]  The goal of the Good Samaritan Law is to protect people who call for medical help during a drug overdose and prevent drug overdoses. 

The Naloxone Access Law protects people who administer naloxone during an opioid overdose. Forty-seven states and Washington, D.C., have Good Samaritan and Naloxone Access laws. Kansas, Texas, and Wyoming do not have Good Samaritan laws but do have Naloxone Access laws.

There is a pattern of lower rates of opioid-related overdose deaths in states that have Good Samaritan laws when compared to the state’s overdose death rate before enacting the law and when compared to states that do not have Good Samaritan laws. People are more likely to call 911 when they know the law. Unfortunately, many are unaware of the law among law enforcement and community members, which could impact a person’s willingness to call 911.