VETERANS: Texas Recovery Center is proud to offer a specialized Veterans Treatment Program. Call (844) 230-5931 or click here to learn more

Live Out Your Best Future

Take the first step toward addiction treatment by contacting us today.

How Long Does a Meth High Last?

a woman struggles within the length of her meth high

As the old adage states, what goes up must come down. While methamphetamine users crave the intense high that this substance provides, it is also often accompanied by a crash. The easiest way to avoid the crash is to continue to take more, but just how long does one have until the effects start to wear off? This answer depends on a variety of factors.

For more information about the meth addiction treatment program at Texas Recovery Center, call 844.230.5931 today. Don’t wait; we’re here to help.

What Is Methamphetamine?

Methamphetamine, or meth, is a highly addictive, man-made drug that stimulates a person’s central nervous system. This system controls a person’s mind related to senses, interpreting thoughts, memory, and overall focus, as well as physical aspects like breathing, body temperature, movement, and balance. Meth can be smoked, snorted, swallowed as a pill, or injected. Similarly, crystal meth is the most potent and purest form of methamphetamine. Physical and psychological damage can occur with chronic use, but because the drug is so addictive, many people struggle to stop without formal methamphetamine addiction treatment. Its fast-hitting effects and appearance, similar to crystal shards or rocks with a bluish hue, have earned it street names such as:

  • Blue
  • Crystal
  • Speed
  • Ice
  • Glass

Physical and Mental Side Effects of Meth Use

Although the meth high may be euphoric, methamphetamine use can lead to a variety of short- and long-term problems. With chronic use, even if discontinued, meth can lead to long-term neurological changes with motor coordination and memory impairments, mood alterations, and psychiatric problems. For those who use needles also comes the associated risks of HIV transmission and Hepatitis C. Hepatitis C is a highly infectious virus transferred when people share needles, and the virus attacks the liver. Symptoms can come on suddenly or not be present until damage has already occurred. It can be treated, but 80% of those infected will have Hepatitis C for life and, over time, can experience liver failure. Methamphetamine use can also structurally and physically alter the brain leading to long-term cognitive and emotional impairment. This may lead to relapse because judgment is clouded. Anxiety, confusion, and psychotic tendencies will often maintain a presence as well. Regardless of how experienced a user is, meth can be dangerous. If you suspect that someone you care about is using this drug, look for the signs of meth use and get them help.

How Long Does A Meth High Last?

How long the meth high lasts will depend on a variety of factors. In general, a traditional meth high lasts anywhere from a few hours to over half a day before the effects wear off. Because it is the purest form of meth, a crystal meth high can last for several hours, even up to three days, by some accounts.

The Stages of a Meth High

Unlike cocaine, meth produces a prolonged state of euphoria experienced in several stages.

Rush Phase

In its initial phase, the dopamine rush meth provides is nearly instantaneous and quite powerful. People feel a burst of energy building while their heart begins to race, crowning at a high filled with rapid speech and confidence. The meth rush phase lasts about 14 hours.

High Phase

This initial rush is followed by a longer meth high. Typically, this meth high lasts for a few hours but can extend up to 15 hours. A person may feel very outspoken and might be prone to arguing to make their point. They can often fixate on one activity, such as standing and staring at an appliance or a flame or actively repeating a task like snapping their fingers or sweeping a room.

Repeat Phase

When someone is addicted, they will continue to repeat the meth rush and high cycle for days to make the euphoria associated with the methamphetamine high last as long as possible and avoid adverse withdrawal effects. During this time, they may barely eat or sleep. As their body weakens physically and mentally, it may lead to the next step in the meth high- shutdown or tweaking.

Shutdown Phase

When the rush and high are over, psychological issues begin to present themselves due to exhaustion and the inability to regain the methamphetamine high. The person using will often describe this time after the meth high as a feeling of emptiness, loss, and craving, or existing in a fog of sensations no one else can experience. This period of time of the meth high is dangerous for both the person experiencing it and others around them due to their increased hostility or desire to harm themselves. This phase is commonly referred to as “tweaking.”

Hibernation Phase

When the body cannot take anymore, it will retreat into a sleep stage to find a semblance of recovery. This part after the meth high generally lasts several days. The person emerges unbathed, hungry, thirsty, and still exhausted from the ravaging effects of the days prior. As withdrawal symptoms appear, eventually, a person will look for a solution to diminish them, and the cycle will repeat.

What Impacts How Long A Meth High Lasts?

How long a meth high lasts can vary widely. It can be different from user to user as well as experience to experience. Some factors that can impact how long a methamphetamine high lasts include:

  • dosage
  • potency
  • route of administration
  • tolerance of user
  • polysubstance use
  • user’s medical history
  • body’s ability to metabolize methamphetamine

Get Help for Meth Addiction at Texas Recovery Center

While it might be pleasurable, the meth high doesn’t last forever. Instead of putting yourself at risk or watching as a loved one puts themselves in harm’s way, take action. At Texas Recovery Center, we offer a variety of treatment plans to help people stop wasting their time on the meth high and start working toward recovery. Our medical detox in Kaufman County includes care and support from medical staff to monitor meth withdrawal and manage symptoms. Treating your mental health and substance use disorder is a life-changing journey. Get the treatment you deserve and call us today at 844.230.5931.

call Vertava Health now!

Contact Swift River Now

Recent Posts

Alcohol consumption is a significant public health concern with alcohol-related deaths claiming nearly 100000 lives annually in the United States alone
Alcohol

The Highest BAC Before Death

Alcohol consumption is a significant public health concern, with alcohol-related deaths claiming nearly 100,000 lives annually in the United States alone. Understanding the relationship between

Read More »
Powdered flakka
Drug Information

What is the Flakka Drug?

A Dangerous New Synthetic Stimulant A dangerous new synthetic drug called Flakka is flooding the streets, delivering a cheap, powerful high that can last for

Read More »
Zoloft bottles
Prescription Drugs

Is Zoloft Addictive?

Zoloft, the brand name for sertraline, is a widely prescribed antidepressant that belongs to the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class of medications. It is

Read More »
Prozac
Prescription Drugs

Is Prozac Addictive?

Prozac, the brand name for fluoxetine, is a widely prescribed antidepressant medication that belongs to the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class. It has helped

Read More »