Crystal meth is one of the most addictive drugs you can use. It floods your brain with dopamine, which feels great, but it rewires your brain to stop producing dopamine on its own. The crash from meth is terrible and each successive dose will need to be a little higher to get the same thrill. Since it’s illegal, it can cause you a great deal of hassle and trouble after even just one use. How long does meth stay in your system? Meth can be detected in several ways.
- In your urine, it can show up for 7 days
- In your blood, it can be detected for up to 3 days
- In saliva, meth can show up for 4 days
- A hair follicle test can indicate meth for up to 90 days
Once meth is in your system, it can be detected in just one or two hours in your blood and urine. Getting it out of your system will simply take time in which you don’t use the drug. You can’t cleanse your system with baking soda bombs or any other products. A DIY urine cleanse can also destroy your gut.
Psychological Triggers, Physical Cravings
Meth is a stimulant. It provides your brain with a trigger that generates a huge rush of norepinephrine and dopamine. You may feel
- focused
- energized
- powerful
- bulletproof
In an uncertain world full of stress, the feelings caused by meth can be downright thrilling. However, your brain responds to this overload of chemicals by shutting down natural production; the brain cannot function effectively in a state of radical imbalance. The dopamine release that used to happen naturally when you engaged in simple activities fail to work, such as
- sat in the sun
- exercised
- listened to your favorite music
Rebuilding the actions of your dopamine receptors once meth is out of your system will take time. The body can be retrained to generate smaller amounts of dopamine over time, but once your dopamine receptors have been overloaded, they will also need time to recover.
Physical Damage
No matter how good your brain feels on meth, your body will not be benefited by this drug. The first hit can lead to a rapid elevation in your heartrate, which can be energizing and exciting. However, your heart is in the process of being damaged by this elevation. Because meth is so addictive, you may not notice or care about the
- fever
- nausea
- elevated pulse
- elevated blood pressure
You may lose weight. You may not need to sleep and be extremely productive. However, over time, meth can take your teeth, destroy your lungs, liver and kidneys, and damage your heart. It should also be noted that regular meth use increases your risk of stroke. Young users of meth may be setting themselves up for a long life of disability because a midlife stroke can take away your speech, balance and cognitive ability. If you are at risk of stroke because of health issues and family history, meth use can speed up that timeline and create the risk of brain damage sooner than you would have faced it.
Toxin Risks
In addition to making you feel bulletproof, meth is an intoxicant. It makes it impossible to make smart choices. Illegal meth producers use caustics and dangerous chemicals, from alcohol based fuels to lye, to generate these products. Residues from these chemicals end up in your tissues, leaching away nutrients and damaging your organs. One of the greatest hazards of meth is that the first dose is so incredibly addictive. Users of this drug find themselves craving the next dose almost immediately after waking up after the first crash.
Remember, one dose can live in your body for several days. This means that, no matter how quickly the first rush goes away, your dopamine suppression may last for up to seven days. Dopamine is the brain chemical that helps you feel focused and confident. Not being able to produce it naturally puts you in a terrible head space very quickly. Meth addiction can be fought, but you will need support while you detox and move into treatment. Our counselors are available 24 hours a day. Call 833-497-3808.