Meth vs Heroin: What Do You Need to Know
So what makes you search Meth vs Heroin? You may be interested in understanding the differences between methamphetamine and Heroin, as these are two of the most commonly abused illicit drugs. While both drugs are highly addictive and can cause serious health problems, they differ in their chemical composition, effects on the brain and body, and potential for overdose.
Moreover, some individuals search about Meth vs Heroin because they may be seeking information to help them make decisions about their drug use or the drug use of a loved one. They may be interested in understanding the risks associated with methamphetamine and heroin abuse and the potential consequences of addiction and overdose.
Ultimately, understanding the risks associated with drug use can help individuals make informed decisions about their health and well-being. In this blog article, addiction specialists at Addicted Recovery will explore what Heroin vs Meth is.
What is Meth
According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, an estimated 1.9 million people in the United States aged 12 or older used methamphetamine in the past year, and 774,000 people reported using the drug in the past month.
Meth, short for methamphetamine, is a highly addictive stimulant drug that affects the central nervous system. It is chemically similar to amphetamine, but its effects are typically more potent and longer-lasting. Methamphetamine can be used for medical purposes, such as treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and obesity, but it is more commonly used recreationally for its euphoric and stimulating effects.
How is Meth Being Abused?
Methamphetamine is commonly abused through various routes of administration, such as smoking, snorting, injecting, or swallowing the drug. Meth users often experience an intense high or rush lasting several hours. This high is associated with euphoria, increased alertness and physical activity, and decreased appetite. However, the pleasurable effects of methamphetamine are short-lived and are followed by a crash or a period of depression and fatigue.
Methamphetamine abuse can lead to addiction, and users may require increasingly higher drug doses to achieve the desired effects. Meth addiction can also lead to a range of adverse physical and psychological effects, including:
- Rapid heart rate and high blood pressure
- Increased body temperature
- Insomnia
- Aggression and violence
- Paranoia and psychosis
- Hallucinations
- Dental problems are known as “meth mouth.”
- Skin sores and infections from picking at the skin
Long-term methamphetamine abuse can also cause serious health problems like heart disease, stroke, and cognitive impairment. Additionally, using contaminated needles to inject meth can increase the risk of contracting HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.
What are Opioids
According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, an estimated 745,000 people in the United States aged 12 or older used Heroin in the past year, and 212,000 people reported using the drug in the past month.
Side effects of Heroin:
Heroin is a powerful opioid drug that is highly addictive and can have various adverse physical and psychological effects. Here are some of the common side effects of heroin use:
Short-term effects:
- Euphoria or a “rush” of pleasure
- Warm flushing of the skin
- Dry mouth and heavy limbs
- Nausea and vomiting
- Clouded mental functioning
- Reduced respiratory rate
Long-term effects:
- Physical dependence and addiction
- Tolerance to the drug’s effects, requiring higher doses to achieve the same effects
- Injection site infections and vein damage
- Chronic constipation
- Increased risk of contracting infectious diseases such as HIV, hepatitis C, and hepatitis B due to sharing contaminated needles
- Damage to vital organs such as the liver, kidneys, and heart
- Skin infections and other health problems from poor hygiene or neglect
- Mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts
- Sexual dysfunction
Heroin use can also result in an overdose, which can cause respiratory depression, coma, and death. Long-term heroin use can lead to significant physical and psychological problems, including addiction, and it is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Therefore, it is crucial to seek help for heroin addiction as soon as possible.
Is Combination of Meth and Heroin Dangerous?
People may search about Meth vs Heroin because they need to know if the combination of both has any side effects.
The combination of methamphetamine and Heroin sometimes referred to as a “speedball,” is very dangerous and can have serious health consequences. The effects of the two drugs can interact in unpredictable ways. The combination of a stimulant and a depressant can strain the body’s systems, leading to an increased risk of overdose and other health problems.
Methamphetamine is a powerful stimulant that increases heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. It can also cause anxiety, paranoia, and hallucinations. Heroin, on the other hand, is a potent opioid that depresses the central nervous system and can cause respiratory depression, coma, and death.
When methamphetamine and Heroin are used together, the effects of each drug can mask the symptoms of the other. This can lead to a false sense of security and increase the risk of overdose. Additionally, the combination can lead to various physical and psychological health problems, including heart attack, stroke, kidney and liver damage, and mental health problems.
Notably, illicit drugs are dangerous and can have severe physical and mental health consequences. It is crucial to seek help if you or someone you know is struggling with drug addiction and to avoid combining drugs, especially those with different mechanisms of action, to reduce the risk of adverse effects.
