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Risks for Methamphetamine Overdose
The biggest risks of methamphetamine overdose (also called overamping) include: overheating, heart attacks, strokes, and not breathing. These can happen from:
- Using too much meth
- Staying high too long
- Using meth with opioids (heroin, fentanyl, etc), benzodiazepines/downers or alcohol
- Using drugs/being high alone (when no one is there to help if problems come up)
Other stimulants, like cocaine, can have similar risks.
Watch for these signs of meth overdose and take action:
Watch for these signs:
- Lots of sweating
- Skin that is red, hot, dry or cold, pale, clammy
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Confusion
How to help:
- Cool down with cold towels, fans ice packs, or in a cool room
- Sip cool water, suck on ice
Call 911 right away if:
- Signs last more than 1 hour
- Signs get worse
- Person passes out
Watch for these signs:
- Racing heart rate
- Chest pain
- Can’t walk or move
- Numb limbs
- Splitting headache
- Slurred or jumbled speech
- Confusion
- Shaking
- Can’t wake up
How to help:
Call 911 right away if you see or feel any of these signs!
Watch for these signs:
- Slow or no breathing, or snoring/gurgling sound
- Blue or gray skin or lips
- Can’t wake up
How to help:
- Try to wake them up. Call 911!
- Give naloxone if you think they’ve also used opioids.
- No breathing-give rescue breaths
- No pulse-give chest compressions
What to do when you call 911 for someone using methamphetamine
What to do for someone having a mental health crisis from methamphetamine
Sometimes, people who use meth can feel strong paranoia, agitation, depression, or fear. They may also see, feel, or hear things that aren’t real (hallucinations). These can make a person do something dangerous. If you think someone might hurt themselves or someone else, call 911.
- Tell 911 that a person is having a mental health crisis.
- Say what the person is doing (e.g. walking into traffic, talking about suicide, talking about hurting someone else). You don’t need to say anything about drugs.
- If this has happened before, tell 911 what kind of response has worked in the past.
- 911 may ask if the person has a weapon.
Deaths from Methamphetamine in Washington State
Deaths involving methamphetamine have increased 600% in the last ten years in Washington State.
To learn more about the data on methamphetamine involved deaths in WA State go here.
Staying Healthy: Tips from People who Use Meth
- Eat before and while you’re high, even if you don’t feel hungry. Coffee and energy drinks aren’t food.
- Drink plenty of water. I set my phone alarm to remind me.
- Take any medications you’re prescribed, especially if you have heart problems or high blood pressure.
- Use and be around people who know you and can tell if you need help.
- Don’t stay high for too long. Get some sleep.
- Meth lasts a long time in your body. If you feel close to your limit, don’t use more.
Treatment or Help Cutting Back
There are several treatment approaches that can help people quit or cut back on their stimulant use. Treatment happens in many places, like medical clinics, mental health programs, or inpatient or outpatient addiction treatment programs. To learn more about treatment options for stimulant use, visit the LearnAboutTreatment.org page on Treatment for Stimulant Use Disorder.
Want to cut down on your meth use or need other help? Call the Washington Recovery Help Line at 1.866.789.1511
Resources
Safer Smoking: Crack and Crystal Meth, from The Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research
Stimulant Overamping Basics, Harm Reduction Coalition
Acute Consequences of Methamphetamine Use Among Participants of Syringe Services Programs, Report from ADAI, February 2021
Methamphetamine in Washington: Informing Policy and Research, Summit held at ADAI, June 28, 2019
Methamphetamine in Washington, Report from ADAI to the Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery, Washington Health Care Authority, June 2018