How Long Does Meth Last? Methamphetamine Drug Effects

Methamphetamine, or meth, is a powerful central nervous system stimulant that causes rapid euphoria, but its effects fade quickly, leading to a “crash” after using it. Though the drug effects may wear off fast, meth can stay in your system for a long period.

Find out how long meth effects last, how long the drug stays in your system, and the risks you should be aware of.

What Is Meth?

Also known as crystal or ice, meth is a highly addictive central nervous system stimulant that’s extremely addictive. Though it has limited medical uses, most meth is produced and used illicitly as a drug of abuse.

Meth has an array of medical, psychological, and social effects. With regular use, meth can cause psychotic behavior, malnutrition, dental problems, memory loss, and cardiovascular damage.[1]

Meth Effects

Meth works by increasing the amount of dopamine in the brain. This neurotransmitter plays a role in movement, motivation, and reward or reinforcement of behaviors. When you smoke, snort, swallow, or inject meth, you experience a spike in dopamine that causes euphoria and feelings of invincibility. However, like other drugs, meth use often comes with a “crash” after the euphoria wears off.

Some of the short-term effects of meth may include:[2]

• High attention
• Energy and alertness
• Low appetite
• Strong euphoria
• Irregular heartbeat
• Rapid breathing
• High body temperature

These effects are why meth can cause cardiovascular effects that can be potentially life-threatening, especially with overdose.

How Long Do the Effects of Meth Last?

Meth is often smoked in a glass pipe, but it may also be ingested. Either method causes the drug to affect the brain rapidly, leading to intense euphoria. Meth can also be snorted through the nose, which causes a less intense and prolonged euphoria.

The effects of meth differ from other stimulants like cocaine. They typically last much longer — eight to 24 hours – but it can vary by the dosage, the method of use, and other factors.[3]

The beginning of a meth high starts with a rush of dopamine that’s instant and intense. You may experience a burst of energy and euphoria that spikes the blood pressure and increases confidence. This rush can last several hours.

After the initial rush, a prolonged high occurs that may last from four to 15 hours. You may become more assertive or fixated on a certain activity during this period.

Once the high begins to fade, it’s common to binge to maintain it. Binge patterns with meth can last anywhere from a few days to as long as two weeks. More meth is used during this time, but the rush is often shorter as the body builds a tolerance to the drug. As a result, they may use higher doses – increasing the risk of overdose.

When the binge period is over, “tweaking” starts because of the binge; meth uses no longer brings a high or rush. The psychological effects of meth take over because of exhaustion, poor nutrition, and the inability to achieve a high. You may feel empty, lonely, and depressed with strong cravings.

After binging and tweaking, the “crash” starts because of the overwhelming side effects of meth on the brain. You may sleep for long periods or experience intense negative emotions like depression. This is often followed by a hangover, which involves severe hunger or dehydration with mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion. This can last several days or as long as two weeks.

What Influences How Long Meth Effects Last?

How long meth effects last can depend on several factors, including:

• Dosage
• The potency of the drug
• How the drug was used
• Whether other substances were involved, such as opioids or alcohol
• Any existing health conditions
• The body’s ability to metabolize meth

How Long Does Meth Stay in the System?

The effects of meth can last a long period, especially when the binge, crash, and hangover periods are included. The drug can be detected in the body for a long period as well, depending on the type of drug test and other factors:

• Urine: Urine tests can detect meth for up to 72 hours after the last dose. Because meth metabolizes into amphetamine, the test can show positive for both substances. The detection period for urine tests is about 3-5 days after last use, but chronic use could cause meth to show up in a urine test about a week after use to get a negative urine test, but the time varies.[4]
• Blood and saliva: Blood and saliva tests may be more accurate for detecting meth, but they have shorter detection windows.[5] Meth can be detected for up to 24 hours in blood tests and two days after last use in saliva tests.
• Hair: Hair follicle tests can detect meth and its metabolites for about 90 days after last use.[6] If you use meth chronically, it may be detectable for up to 120 days.

Meth Withdrawal

Meth has an array of effects on the body and lasts longer than the initial high, so you mustn’t quit “cold turkey.” Though not usually life-threatening, stopping meth abruptly can cause intense and uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms like:[7]

• Fever
• Headache
• Increased appetite
• Irritability
• Fatigue
• Anger
• Aggression
• Inability to feel pleasure
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Sweating
• Dizziness
• Paranoia
• Delusions
• Psychosis
• Suicidal ideation

Understanding Meth Abuse and Addiction

Meth is a powerfully addictive drug. Using meth regularly can cause tolerance and dependence quickly, and combined with an intense withdrawal syndrome, it can be difficult to overcome addiction.

The first step in meth addiction treatment is medical detox. Though withdrawal isn’t directly life-threatening, the intense depression and suicidal ideation can be dangerous. The cravings for meth can cause you to relapse to relieve the symptoms, increasing the risk of overdose. Medical detox provides supervision and support to manage the symptoms of withdrawal and stay as safe and comfortable as possible.

After medical detox, it’s important to transition into an addiction treatment program with an individualized care plan. Whether you choose inpatient or outpatient treatment, it may include therapies like talk therapy, group counseling, support groups, and behavioral therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy to address the underlying factors that lead to addiction and develop healthier habits.

Seek Help for Meth Addiction

Meth has intense effects that can last long after the euphoria wears off, leading to physical and psychological damage. If you or a loved one is abusing meth or struggling with addiction, it’s important to seek help as soon as possible to avoid any adverse health effects.