How Long Does Meth Stay in Your System?

Methamphetamine is a very addictive drug, and many people in our country struggle with methamphetamine dependency. This synthetic central nervous system stimulant may seem fun and harmless to users at first, but it’s one of the most addictive recreational drugs that exist. 

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse’s 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 0.9% of people – or 2.5 million Americans – over the age of 12 reported that they’d used methamphetamine in the past year.  About 0.6% – or 1.6 million Americans – reported that they have struggled with a methamphetamine-based substance use disorder in the past 12 months. Although it’s possible to break free from methamphetamine addiction and recover, many people who use this drug do not. Sadly, in 2021, approximately 32,537 people died from a likely methamphetamine overdose.

This drug is very dangerous and if you or someone you love uses it, it’s crucial that use ceases immediately. The first step in recovery is to get the drug out of one’s system. As soon as the user stops using methamphetamine, his or her body begins to heal. The user may be able to stop independently, but most people who try to quit using methamphetamine need professional help to do so. Read on to learn more about this drug and addiction to it.

What is Methamphetamine?

Methamphetamine is a drug that has a high potential for abuse which may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence; therefore, it’s classified as a Schedule II drug by the DEA. This substance was developed initially in the early 20th century for use as a nasal decongestant and bronchial inhaler. However, doctors and researchers soon realized that it caused long-lasting and more harmful effects on the central nervous system than originally expected, so use for these purposes was discontinued.

Today, methamphetamine is a recreational drug. It has stimulant properties that result in increased activity, decreased appetite, and general feelings of euphoria. Users sometimes use methamphetamine for days at a time while they chase an ongoing high.

The negative side effects of methamphetamine are vast and intense. People who use methamphetamine on a regular basis may experience feelings of paranoia, irritability, or confusion. The physical effects are numerous and become obvious quickly as well; methamphetamine users may have rotting teeth, a thinning body, and acne or meth sores on their faces and body, which become worse due to habitual scratching. Long term use can lead to convulsions, stroke, lowered immunity, liver damage, and even death.

Methamphetamine is extremely dangerous.

How Long Can Methamphetamine Be Detected in the Body?

People who wish to stop using methamphetamine may wonder how long the drug stays in the body and how long it can be detected in a drug test. The length of time any drug stays in an individual’s body depends on a number of factors. The effects of methamphetamine can last anywhere from eight to twenty-four hours, but even after the effects fade, the drug is still in the user’s blood stream. The length of time it remains can depend on how much was taken, what time of the day it was taken, how it was administered, how well the organs are functioning, and the individual’s metabolism. The amount of time that methamphetamine stays in the system can be very different for one person than another, even if all variables appear to be the same.

How Long Does Meth Stay in Your System?

If you’re wondering how long methamphetamine stays in your system for a drug test, that can also depend on the type of drug test that is being administered. It can be detected for much longer on a hair test than it can be on a urine test for example. The half-life of methamphetamine is nine to twenty-four hours. That means it takes between nine and twenty-four hours for the amount of methamphetamine in one’s blood to be reduced by half. That’s a big range; in this case, the half-life is not at all an exact science.

How Long Does Meth Stay in Urine?

For the most part, methamphetamine passes through the urine rather quickly. In the majority of cases, methamphetamine can only be detected in the urine for about 72 hours. Chronic users may test positive for longer periods.

How Long Does Meth Stay in Your Blood?

Methamphetamine also passes out of the blood rapidly. It is usually not detectble by a blood test after one to three days.

How Long Does Meth Stay in Your Saliva?

This drug can be detected in a saliva test for about 72 hours after the last use.

How Long Does Meth Stay in Your Hair?

Hair follicle tests are the most sensitive for all types of drugs. Methamphetamine can be detected in a hair test for about six months after a user stopped using the drug completely.

Getting Help for Methamphetamine Addiction at Clear Sky Recovery

If you or someone you love uses methamphetamine, there is help available. Treatment works and people do break free from addiction. People can and do recover. Meth detox isn’t easy; unlike other addictions, there are no medications that can help someone get through a methamphetamine detox. However, at Clear Sky Ibogaine, we can help you. Our innovative ibogaine treatment will help you to get to the root of your addiction and you will avoid a painful withdrawal period. Our experienced staff is waiting for you at our facility in Cancun, Mexico. Contact us today. We are ready to answer all of your questions and we want to help you take the first steps on a new and healthier life that is free from dependence on methamphetamine. We can’t wait to hear from you. Call us now.