Have you ever gotten water up your nose? Maybe you were swimming, or you laughed while taking a drink and the water went in its own direction. It’s not the most comfortable feeling, especially if chlorine is involved.
Our noses are fairly sensitive; sometimes even the smallest irritation to your nose can even make your eyes water. Why, then, do people snort drugs like methamphetamine? What are the dangers of snorting meth?
Methamphetamine is not an uncommon substance, especially in rural areas where the chemicals used to make the substance are more commonly available. Here in Texas, this is also because of the relation to the Mexican border and the substances that are moved across it.
Meth is the drug of highest concern here in Texas, outranking all other substances in multiple categories including reason for treatment, poison control calls, drug seizures, and deaths. Our team here at San Antonio Recovery Center hopes to help our community by educating about meth use and all its forms. Today we’re going to talk about snorting meth, what it does to the body, and why people do it.
Methamphetamine, commonly known as meth, is a stimulant substance that frequently comes in powder form. There is a prescription form of methamphetamine, known as Desoxyn, which is commonly used to treat ADHD. Most forms of meth, however, are found in illicit settings and can be consumed in a few different ways.
The powdered forms of meth can be consumed in various ways such as through pills, snorting, and injection. There are additional forms of meth, primarily crystal meth, which are chunks of meth that come in various sizes and tones of white and yellow. This form of meth is most often smoked or taken orally.
So, of all the forms of meth, why do people choose to snort it?
Snorting isn’t the quickest way to feel the effects of meth, smoking and injecting are. Snorting isn’t the slowest method, however. Oral ingestion is the slowest method for the effects of meth to be felt, taking an average of 15 to 20 minutes. Snorting takes an average of 3 to 5 whereas injection and smoking have near-instant effects.
Unlike smoking and injecting, snorting is a very accessible way to engage with meth. Both smoking and injecting take additional tools, like needles, lighters, and pipes. Snorting just requires the powder. This is one of the reasons someone may choose snorting over alternative methods.
On top of taking a few minutes to be felt, the effects of snorting tend to differ from smoking and injection. While smoking and injection both cause a “rush” the effects only last a few minutes. Snorting and oral ingestion lead to a high, giving feelings of euphoria that linger for a longer period of time.
Besides drawing out the effects of meth, the overall side effects caused by snorting meth don’t vary much from the other ways to consume meth. Being able to spot and understand these side effects can help you understand what’s going on with a loved one, or help you make more informed decisions about your own health.
Let’s take a look at the two types of side effects someone will experience if they engage with meth, both in the long-term and the short-term.
The long-term effects of meth use are the ones that occur due to frequent and continued use of methamphetamines. These are from the changes made by its consistent presence, including behavioral and physical changes. These symptoms can occur even without meth being actively in someone’s system. The most common long-term effects of meth include:
Short-term effects, on the other hand, are the ones that occur because meth is currently in someone’s body. These often end before meth is even fully out of the body. The most common short-term effects of meth are:
The overall risks that come with methamphetamine use exist no matter what way a person regularly consumes meth. These common risks include overdose, withdrawal, depression, anxiety, hallucinations, mood disturbances, delusions, and psychosis.
However, each form of consumption has its own risks specific to them. These risks can be immediate, but many of them stem from long-term use.
Those who regularly inject meth can damage their blood vessels over time. This includes scarring and collapsed veins. The use of needles in substance-related settings also has an increased risk of non-sterility. This means the individual can experience infections and contract blood-related diseases like HIV or hepatitis C.
If someone regularly snorts meth, they can do damage to their nasal cavity. The small particles act like abrasions to the sensitive nasal lining. This can lead to an increased risk of nosebleeds, runny nose, and difficulty with smelling and swallowing.
Finally, those who smoke meth can do damage to their lungs with long-term use. It can also worsen asthma and lead to an increased risk of developing lung-related conditions like pneumonia.
Drug paraphernalia is any item that is being utilized in relation to substance use. This is everything from a common household spoon being used for heroin or cocaine to an object designed specifically for substance use like a pipe or snuff bullet.
When it comes to snorting meth, not many objects are involved. The primary types of drug paraphernalia are things used to store meth, with the occasional object that might be used as a surface or tube to help with snorting.
The objects most often seen in the media are rolled-up dollar bills. These are not the only objects that may be involved. People usually adapt to whatever they can easily find or access. Other objects commonly seen have been straws, empty medicine bottles, small baggies, and empty pen cases.
For those seeking meth addiction treatment, you may wonder how to start. Maybe you’ve tried recovery before and found the place you previously went to didn’t fit your needs. How can you know what a good facility is? What should you be looking for in your treatment plan?
The journey of recovery isn’t a one-and-done event. This should be kept in mind when seeking a place to start your healing. Having a place that offers the full continuum of care in one form or another, especially those with ongoing support through outpatient and alumni programs, can lead to a stronger support system for you.
On top of that, a good facility should be dedicated to you and your specific needs. This doesn’t mean they have to offer everything under the sun, but it should mean that they have a team that’s committed to keeping you in the loop. This means having a place that wants to see you succeed and is open and honest with you about your options.
Our team here at San Antonio Recovery Center is passionate about just that. We want to see you thrive. With an 8 to 1 patient-to-therapist ratio and dedicated upper management who regularly comes to check on patients, we’re committed to giving you the hands-on treatment you deserve. If you’re ready to get started, our team is too. Just give us a call anytime at 866-957-7885 and we’ll answer any questions you may have.
Strength. Acceptance. Recovery. Community.
Is snorting more dangerous than other methods of using meth?
There is no safe way to consume meth. Any form comes with its own unique risks, as well as the overall risks of meth use. Snorting meth can damage your nasal cavity and also increase your chances of developing a meth use disorder.
contact us now!
