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Dangers of Shooting and Snorting Meth

  • Reviewed by: Dr. Carl Williams, Ph.D., LCADC
  • Modified:
  • Reading Time: 8 minutes
  • Reviewed by: Dr. Carl Williams, Ph.D., LCADC
  • Last Update:
  • Reading Time: 8 minutes

Learn about the risks of snorting and injecting meth, including addiction and overdose, and find out about safe recovery options.

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Methamphetamines are very potent stimulants that are often abused for fun. Meth is highly addictive and may induce substance abuse problems in brief periods of regular usage. The stimulation produces a powerful but fleeting ecstatic feeling, marked by increased arousal, boosted stamina, enhanced excitation, and rapid brain processing.

There are several methods to use meth, each producing its symptoms. First, the substance is ingested in various ways, including smoking, snorting, and intravenous injection. People who use meth strive for a strong and immediate high.

Sniffing or inhaling meth allows the substance to reach circulation immediately, bypassing the digestive system. To that end, how long does one’s “meth high” last? For example, the following pleasant feeling might instantly hit and persist for a few minutes.

Even if the pleasure doesn’t last long, the drug has several after-effects, some of which are terrible and may last for hours.

Meth is dangerous in any form, but the stimulant may pose additional risks when snorted or smoked. Find out more about the risks associated with meth use, mainly whether snorted or shot.

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Exploring the Reasons Behind Snorting Meth

Why Do People Snort Meth?

Meth may be administered intravenously, smoked, snorted (sometimes termed “railing”), or hot-railed (a mix of smoking and snorting). Among the various possible drug use behaviors, snorting meth has recently gained popularity.

One significant benefit of snorting meth is that it avoids the transmission of blood-borne viruses like HIV and hepatitis that may occur when injecting the drug. In addition, compared to injecting or smoking meth, the effects of snorting the substance continue for 6-12 hours longer.

The danger of becoming dependent on meth is further heightened by the practices of injecting and inhaling the drug. The threat of addiction is still considerable for someone who snorts it, even though the risk is lower than for those who use alternative routes of administration.

Irrespective of how it’s taken, meth is always pretty potent due to the rush of dopamine it causes in the brain, mainly if it’s a regular part of your routine.

There is less of a chance of becoming addicted if you snort meth than by injecting it, but it is still unsafe. In many cases, those who start using the drug by snorting may eventually inject or smoke it.

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Understanding the Health Risks of Snorting & Injecting Meth

Dangers of Snorting and Shooting Meth

The effects of meth are reduced when inhaled rather than snorted—the danger of overdosing increases when individuals use more and more of the substance. Additionally, the nasal passages are at stake while snorting, which isn’t the case when injecting or smoking the drug.

Meth use is risky for several other reasons:

  • Diseases of the skin .

  • Lack of salivation.

  • Hallucinations.

  • Reduced weight.

  • Increased libido and vulnerability to STDs.

  • Sleeplessness.

  • Addiction.

Many warning signs might indicate a meth overdose:

  • Increased internal heat.

  • Seizures.

  • Body ache.

  • Irritation of the chest.

  • Abnormal or absent heartbeat.

  • Coma.

Meth has some different psychological consequences when smoked. Even after a few uses, there is a significant chance of becoming addicted, and some individuals report feeling unhappy or abnormal without the substance.

Addiction to almost any substance causes noticeable changes in character, but meth has a particularly profound impact. After coming off a ”meth high”, a person may experience irritability, depression, and paranoia. This severity of withdrawal rises with prolonged usage.

Meth also has the following cognitive consequences when snorted:

  • Irritability.

  • Stress.

  • Cognitive dissonance.

  • Depression.

  • Struggle to think clearly.

  • Diversion.

  • Mood swings.

  • Amnesia.

  • Psychosis.

  • Schizophrenia.

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Immediate Actions & Emergency Care

What to Do if Someone Overdoses on Meth?

Any suspicion of a meth overdose requires urgent contact with 911. However, until emergency medical personnel come, you may take steps to lessen the victim’s danger.

Seizures caused by an overdose may be prevented by supporting the person’s head but not their limbs. To avoid choking if they throw up, gradually turn their head to the side and back.

Is There A Higher Risk Of Addiction If Meth Is Snorted?

No matter how the substance is used, meth has a significant potential for abuse and addiction. However, some people think that since inhaling meth is less intense than injecting it, the danger of becoming addicted is lower.

A common misconception about snorting drugs is that they are easier to control because of the slower onset of the high. However, since meth is addictive, frequent users are far more likely to become dependent on it than infrequent ones.

Rolling Hills Recovery Center offers free 24/7 meth addiction support.

Rolling Hills Recovery Center has committed patient navigators standing by day or night to help you create a customized treatment plan.

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Injecting vs. Snorting Meth & Treatment Options

What's Worse, Shooting Meth Or Snorting It?

In the eyes of many medical professionals, shooting meth is more hazardous since it dramatically increases the potential for fatal overdosing.

Seekers of a high who have experience with meth will often increase their dosage to achieve that feeling, which increases the risk of overdose.

Possible Meth Addiction Treatments

The best method to overcome meth addiction for yourself or a loved one is to get help from trained professionals. Addiction treatment programs often last from 30 days to a year.

The following components may be used to treat meth dependency:

  • Personal Therapy.

  • Family Counseling.

  • Addiction recovery based on the 12 Steps.

  • Sober living skills.

Both inpatient and outpatient care are options for those struggling with meth addiction.

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Detoxing from Methamphetamine: A Guide to Safety

When dealing with meth addiction, getting help from a qualified detox and rehabilitation facility is best. On the other hand, some activities may be done at home, either during outpatient therapy or after inpatient treatment has ended, to improve the chances of a full recovery.

Consider the following as an example:

  • Modifications to one’s diet.

  • Contemplation.

  • Frequent physical activity.

  • Proper sleep.

  • Physiotherapy.

  • Yoga.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle lessens the severity of meth withdrawal symptoms. However, there are several severe symptoms throughout this period of recovery.

After the first high fades away, drug users may feel:

  • Sorrow.

  • Despair.

  • Feelings of helplessness.

  • Insomnia.

  • Discomfort or inability to move because of muscle tension.

However, there is a substantial chance of relapse during the few days these symptoms persist. The likelihood of a full recovery improves the better you can control these potential side effects.

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Written By:

Dr. Saman Aftab, Ph.D.

Dr. Saman Aftab, Mental Health write at Rolling Hills
Rolling Hills Recovery Center

Mental Health Writer

About Author:

Dr. Saman is a mental health writer with over six years of experience in freelance writing, editing, and proofreading. She is a practicing healthcare professional holding a doctorate in physical therapy at DOW University of Health Sciences. Dr. Saman started content writing to blend her passion for writing and medicine with her extensive clinical experience.

Medically Reviewed By:

Dr. Carl Williams Ph.D., LCADC

Carl Williams, medical content reviewer at rolling hills recovery center
Rolling Hills Recovery Center

Expert Contributor

About Reviewer:

Dr. Williams presently serves on the board of Directors for two non-profit service organizations. He holds a Master’s degree in Human Services from Lincoln University, Philadelphia, Pa, and a Ph.D. with a concentration in Clinical Psychology from Union Institute and University. In Cincinnati, Ohio. He is licensed to practice addictions counseling in both New Jersey and Connecticut and has a pending application as a practicing Psychologist in New Jersey.

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