Are you trying to quit addiction and now wondering, how long does meth stay in your system? Or are you worried if it will show up in a drug test? There are a lot of factors that influence the duration of stay in the system. Let’s dig in deeper for a comprehensive overview of meth metabolism, timeline, withdrawal, and addiction recovery options.
Addiction is not a flaw or moral failure; instead, it is a disease that requires comprehensive care. To connect with a licensed doctor at ChoicePoint, please call us at our confidential helpline 844.445.2563.
Table of Contents
What is Methamphetamine? Why Is It Addictive?
Methamphetamine is a highly powerful stimulant drug that speeds up the body’s central nervous system. Common street names include:
- Speed
- Crystal
- Crank
- Ice
- Go-fast
Meth is a man-made drug. The soldiers in World War II first used it to help them stay awake. Meth has a binge and crash pattern. After inhaling or ingesting, It quickly produces an intense rush.
But the effects disappear before the drug leaves the system, which makes the users try to maintain their high by ingesting more quantities. This leads to a dangerously high concentration of drugs in the system, which causes a person to experience a ‘crash’ or hangover several days after the use.
How Long Does Meth Stay In Your System? Meth Half-Life
How long does meth stay in your system depends on a lot of factors. Meth has a half-life of 10-12 hours. It takes up to 12 hours for half of the drug to leave the body. That means meth can stay in the system anywhere from 8 hours to 24 hours. It can be detected in urine for up to 3 days and in hair up to 90 days.
How Long Does Meth Stay In Your System When Smoked?
Smoking is the most addictive form and most likely to cause addiction. Smoking delivers the meth straight to the brain, bypassing the digestive system, producing intense euphoria. The effects start 1-15 minutes after first use and wear off after 4-8 hours.
How Long Does Crystal Meth Stay In Your Blood?
Crystal meth is also known as ice. It is the strongest form of Meth. Since it is readily metabolized, the window to detect meth in blood is relatively short. It can be detected in the blood for 3-48 hours.
How Is Meth Detected? Meth Metabolism And Drug Screening
Drug screening is carried out for employment records, health records, or to see your treatment progress. Urine and hair tests are the most common tests to detect meth in the body.
Urine Test
When meth is in the body, it is broken down into small metabolites. Two major metabolites are:
- Four hydroxy methamphetamine
- Amphetamine
Some of these metabolites pass into the kidneys to be excreted out of the body through urine. Approximately 70% of this drug is excreted after 24 hours. A person who frequently uses meth may have traces of meth that can be detected in urine tests for up to a week.
Hair Test
When a person inhales or ingests meth, it is metabolized in the liver. It is delivered to all cells in the body, including the hair. The staff will take a strand of hair during the hair test and run diagnostic tests. The first test is usually ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), and some additional tests may be run to rule out false positive tests. A hair test can detect the presence of drugs for up to 3 months after the last use.
At-Home Drug Testing Kits For Meth Addiction
A quick way to detect the presence of drugs in your system is through at-home drug testing kits. These kits can detect meth in the system for 2-4 days since the last use.
At-home drug testing kits save the hassle of going to a lab and waiting for test results. Usually, these tests are carried out on urine or oral fluid samples. You are usually required to set a virtual appointment and take the test under the supervision of a medical staff.
To order an online at-home meth addiction testing kit, please call us at 844.445.2563.
Did you know? Meth is often cut with highly toxic substances such as red phosphorus (found in matchboxes), lithium metal (present in batteries), and sulphuric acid (present in detergents and toilet cleaners) to reduce the cost.
Did you know? Meth is often cut with highly toxic substances such as red phosphorus (found in matchboxes), lithium metal (present in batteries), and sulphuric acid (present in detergents and toilet cleaners) to reduce the cost.
How Long Does Meth Last? Stages Of Meth Addiction
The euphoria associated with meth addiction is short-lived. What starts as fun may turn into a deadly addiction without you even realizing it. We have divided meth use into stages of addiction to give you a better view of how long meth lasts.
Stage 1: The Rush and High
The first stage is the rush. It begins after 5-10 minutes after taking this drug. It makes a person more excited and exhilarated. The initial rush can last for half an hour.
After the initial euphoria, a person gets high, which includes poor judgment, obsessive-compulsive behavior, indulging in risky activities, etc. A high can last up to 16 hours, depending on the dose of meth used.
Stage 2: Binge Use
After the effects of the substance wears off, some people start to use it excessively to produce the high. This stage can be very harmful. As meth is a stimulant, it excites a person. People bringing meth are unable to go to sleep and eat, leading to the ‘crash.’
During the crash, the body shuts down from being overstimulated and sleep-deprived. The person feels intense fatigue and excessive sleepiness. You may also suffer from mental and physical exhaustion. Dehydration, meth overdose, and aggressive behavior are also negative consequences of binging on crystal meth. The crash usually lasts for 2 days.
Stage 3: Meth Abuse
Meth abuse is when a person frequently uses meth in larger quantities than originally anticipated. Signs of meth abuse include:
- Unsuccessful attempts to cut down the use.
- Experiencing cravings and withdrawal symptoms when trying to cut down the use.
- Spending a great deal of time, effort, and money is obtaining the substance.
- Developing tolerance to the substance.
- Using substances despite being aware of their psychological and physical side effects.
Stage 4: Meth Addiction
As discussed earlier, meth is highly addictive. It stimulates the release of dopamine associated with the brain’s reward behavior. A person experiences a surge of euphoria, which fades quickly.
Contrary to popular belief, addiction can not be treated at home. It is a disease that significantly changes the body’s normal function. Some side effects of meth addiction include:
- Meth mouth is characterized by stained, broken, and decayed teeth
- Paranoia
- Decreased appetite
- Irritability and confusion
- Anxiety
- Extreme fatigue
- Risk of HIV/AIDS if injecting meth
- Mood swings
- Irregular heartbeat and increased risk of strokes
- Aggressive and violent behavior
Furthermore, frequent use of crystal meth damages the nerves and blood vessels in the brain. It also increases the risk of physical illnesses such as Parkinson’s disease.
How To Get Rid Of Meth? Meth Withdrawal And Detox
Unfortunately, there is no quick fix for meth addiction. When meth wears off, serotonin and dopamine levels are reduced. This results in withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, restlessness, and depression. Other withdrawal symptoms include:
- Insomnia
- Intense cravings
- Risk of overdose
- Headache
- Restlessness
- Dry mouth
- Hallucinations
- Muscle spasm
Physical meth withdrawal can last up to a week. Cravings can last up to 12 weeks which is why it is important to recover in a meth inpatient rehab to minimize the chances of a relapse.
Though there are no specific medications for treating meth addiction, you may be prescribed antidepressants to manage psychological symptoms. Furthermore, addiction counselors will offer guidance and strategies to help you cope with triggers with minimal discomfort.
Some treatments for meth addiction include:
- Medical detox
- Partial hospitalization program
- Intensive outpatient treatment
- Outpatient treatment
- Dual diagnosis
ChoicePoint offers the first free consultation with no obligation to enter the treatment. Please call us at 844.445.2563 to book your free first consultation.
Recovering From Psychological Symptoms of Meth Addiction
Meth addiction has several mental health implications. It has been noted that there is a link between ADHD and meth abuse. So, therapy is recommended for the complete treatment. Dual diagnosis is not only beneficial for treating psychological withdrawal symptoms but also addresses the root cause of addiction and teaches coping mechanisms for emotional regulation.
Some other behavioral therapies include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavioral therapy
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
Skeptical about getting treatment? In 2021, approximately 32,537 people died from an overdose involving psychostimulants such as methamphetamines.
Skeptical about getting treatment? In 2021, approximately 32,537 people died from an overdose involving psychostimulants such as methamphetamines.
Inclusion To How Long Does Meth Stay In Your System
We hope that you got the answer to how long meth stays in your system. Meth leaves the system within a week, but the side effects it leaves are long-lasting. If you or someone you know is abusing this drug, please seek medical help before it’s too late.
To recover under the care of licensed medical staff, please call us at 844.445.2563 or schedule an appointment online.
Frequently Asked Questions About How Long Does Meth Stay In Your System
Some more of your questions related to how long meth stays in your system are answered below:
What Is Second-Hand Meth Smoke?
Second-hand meth smoke is when you are exposed to meth smoke produced by someone else. If you are exposed to meth smoke, there may be some traces of this drug found in your body. However, more research is needed to fully understand the duration of second-hand meth smoke in the body.
What Is Crystal Meth?
Crystal meth is the most addictive, pure, and dangerous form of methamphetamines. It resembles broken glass or shiny rocks. Other names of crystal meth include ice, tina, or glass.
What Are The Early Signs Of Meth Addiction?
Early signs of meth addiction include:
- Loss of appetite
- Nervous, anxious, or violent behavior
- Staying awake for a longer duration
- Rapid weight loss
- Increased sweating
Does Medicaid Cover Methamphetamine Addiction?
Yes, nearly all commercial and government insurance companies, including Medicare and Medicaid, cover meth addiction. If you need clarification on your insurance plan, please verify your insurance.
Who Gets Addicted To Methamphetamine?
Meth is highly addictive. Even if you are using small quantities, you may get addicted. There are no safe limits for meth use.
Medical Disclaimer:
ChoicePoint aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use disorder and mental health issues. Our team of licensed medical professionals research, edit and review the content before publishing. However, this information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For medical advice please consult your physicians or ChoicePoint's qualified staff.
Review How Long Does Meth Stay In Your System? A Guide To Meth Addiction.