How long does meth stay in your system? 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Long-term meth use can cause memory loss, aggression, drug-induced episodes, and severe dental problems. In the United States, the law classifies meth as a Schedule II drug, and about 2.6 million people reported using it in 2019. Meth has long lasting effects, and some tests can detect it for up to 3 months following use. This article explores meth misuse and how long the drug can remain in the body. What is meth Share on PinterestPeter Dazeley/Getty ImagesMeth is a powerful stimulant that affects the central nervous system. Other names for meth include speed, chalk, ice, crystal, and crank. It is a dangerous and highly addictive drug that can cause serious short-and long-term health complications, including overdose. In addition, since it is so powerful, even small amounts of meth can quickly result in physical dependence and addiction. Manufacturers originally developed methamphetamine from amphetamine and used it in nasal decongestants and bronchial inhalers. Today, only one legal meth product exists, called Desoxyn. Doctors may prescribe it to help with weight loss or treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in some limited circumstances. People now make or “cook” meth in crude laboratories using various over-the-counter drugs and highly corrosive chemicals. The most common method uses pseudoephedrine or ephedrine, which are ingredients in many cold remedies. Cooking meth is highly dangerous because the fumes from the chemicals used are extremely toxic. They can lead to explosions and fires. The resulting product takes the form of a white, odorless powder. Crystal meth resembles small shards of glass or shiny blue-white rocks. Learn more about methamphetamine here. How long does it stay in the system Meth has long lasting effects, and it may take up to 4 days to leave the body. Its half-life is around 10 hours. This means it takes the body about 10 hours to metabolize and eliminate half of the ingested amount from the bloodstream. Meth metabolites may appear in drug tests for days following use. For example, a person can receive a positive urine test for up to 4 days after ingesting meth. Likewise, a hair test can indicate meth use up to 3 months later. How is meth metabolized After a person ingests or smokes meth, it enters the bloodstream and quickly travels to the brain, lungs, liver, and kidneys. Methamphetamine is water-soluble and easily passes through cell membranes. This allows it to cross the blood-brain barrier rapidly and enter the brain. The body metabolizes and eliminates methamphetamine in the liver and kidneys. In the liver, an enzyme called cytochrome P450 2D6 breaks it down into two primary metabolites: para-hydroxymethamphetamine (pOH-MA) and amphetamine (AMP). The kidneys then filter these metabolites out of the blood and expel them in the urine. Risks and dangers of meth Meth is extremely addictive, and doctors associate it with severe health risks. These risks increase with the frequency and duration of meth use. Some of the short-term effects of smoking or injecting meth include:increased heart rate and blood pressurehyperthermia or elevated body temperaturedilated pupilsincreased wakefulness, energy, and alertnessdecreased appetite and fatigue Long-term effects of meth use can lead to anxiety, paranoia, delusions, and hallucinations. Other long-term effects of smoking or injecting meth include:severe dental problemssignificant weight lossskin soressleep disorderscognitive deficits, including memory lossaddiction and tolerance Meth use can also lead to psychotic symptoms, such as:visual and auditory hallucinationsdelusions, such as the belief that insects are crawling under the skin paranoia and feelings of persecution Meth use is also associated with an increased risk of contracting HIV or hepatitis C through the sharing of injecting equipment. Meth can have devastating effects on the human body, especially when used frequently and for long periods. Although some of these effects may reverse by stopping or reducing meth use, others are permanent. Getting help If a person is using meth, there are many treatment options available. Treatment for meth addiction often includes behavioral therapies to help people identify the factors contributing to their meth use and develop strategies to cope with them. It may also include medication to manage withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings. People can turn to their doctor for advice and recommendations. They can also use the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator to find local help and treatment. Meth addiction is a serious problem with potentially long lasting consequences. Therefore, it is important to seek professional help as soon as possible. With proper support, individuals can recover from meth addiction. Seeking help for addiction may seem daunting or even scary, but several organizations can provide support. If you believe that you or someone close to you is struggling with addiction, you can contact the following organizations for immediate help and advice:Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): 800-662-4357 (TTY: 800-487-4889)National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255 Summary Methamphetamine is a powerful, addictive, illegal drug that affects the central nervous system. It stays in the system for days or even months following use. For example, urine tests can detect meth for up to 4 days, and hair tests can detect it for 3 months or more following use. Short-term effects include increased heart rate and body temperature. Long-term, meth can result in memory loss, weight loss, and severe dental problems. Meth addiction is a serious problem with potentially severe consequences. Therefore, it is important to seek professional help as soon as possible. With proper support, individuals can recover from meth addiction. Last medically reviewed on May 19, 2022Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal DrugsDrugs 7 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.How long does meth stay in the system? (n.d.).https://drugpolicy.org/drug-facts/how-long-meth-stays-in-systemHow many people use methamphetamine? (2019).https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/methamphetamine/what-scope-methamphetamine-misuse-in-united-statesMeth awareness. (n.d.).https://www.justice.gov/archive/olp/methawareness/Methamphetamine. (2020).https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/Methamphetamine-2020_0.pdfMethamphetamine drug facts. (2019).https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/methamphetamineWagner, D. J., et al. (2017). Interaction and transport of methamphetamine and its primary metabolites by organic cation and multidrug and toxin extrusion transporters.https://dmd.aspetjournals.org/content/45/7/770What is methamphetamine? (2019).https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/methamphetamine/what-methamphetamineFEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT — By Zia Sherrell, MPH on May 19, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? 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