How Long Does Meth Stay in the Urine

If you are facing an upcoming drug screening, you may wonder, “How long does meth stay in the urine?”

Methamphetamine, also known as meth, crystal, or ice, is a highly addictive substance that can quickly cause destruction in a person’s life. When someone becomes addicted to meth, they will experience a multitude of adverse health and mental health effects.

After ingesting meth, the substance lingers in the body systems for days. A urine screen is one of the tests that can be used to detect if someone has used meth. Even though the effects of the drug wear off within hours, meth can still be detected in the urine for up to four days. Read on to learn more about meth and how the body metabolizes this drug.

What is Meth?

Meth is an illicit stimulant drug made derived from amphetamines and inexpensive household ingredients. Because meth is so cheaply produced, it is among the most highly used illicit drugs today. About two million U.S. adults are said to use meth each year.

Meth produces a state of hyperactivity, with heightened energy, alertness, and euphoria. The drug causes these effects, which last about twelve hours, by stimulating the nerve activity in the central nervous system. It also causes a loss of appetite and a reduced need for sleep.

When the drug wears off, the user will experience a meth “crash.” This occurs mostly due to the highly toxic ingredients used to provide its hallucinogenic effects. The meth crash might involve these symptoms:

• Lethargy
• Increased appetite.
• Paranoia
• Agitation
• Mood swings.
• Mental confusion.
• Anxiety
• Sleep problems.
• Intense depression.
• Drug cravings.
• Memory problems.
• Thoughts of suicide.

How Long Does Meth Stay in the Urine?

There are different ways to detect meth in the body. Drug tests that screen for meth include saliva, blood, hair, and urine. The length of time that meth is detectable in the body depends on the extent of the meth use. People who rarely use meth will clear the drug much faster than a meth addict.

Meth is metabolized in the liver. The half-life of meth is about ten hours, meaning it takes about ten hours to rid half of the meth. Metabolites can be seen in a urine sample for up to four days. There is no way to speed up this process, other than time.

Adverse Effects Caused by Meth

If you or someone you know has a meth addiction they should seek help as early as possible. Meth is highly destructive to the human body and can cause serious health issues if the drug is continued. Some of the adverse effects of ongoing meth use may include:

• Serious tooth decay.
• Severe weight loss.
• Aging of the skin.
• Slow-healing sores.
• Cardiac arrest.
• Liver failure.
• Stroke
• Seizures
• Mood disorders.
• Dependence or addiction.

Psychological Effects of Meth

As meth use increases, the user begins to feel highly anxious and irritable. Some even may become aggressive or violent. When they “tweak,” which means they are binging on the meth, it can trigger the symptoms of mental illness. These symptoms are much like schizophrenia.

When meth addiction leads to symptoms of psychosis, the person may begin to have hallucinations. This is when they see and hear things that are not really there.

Paranoid thoughts and feelings are quite common in heavy meth users. The drug causes them to feel like someone is spying on them, or is out to harm them.

Having delusional thoughts is also a common symptom, which happens when the person has a break from reality. Meth addicts can and do experience the signs of psychosis even while not on the drug.

How to Break Free from Meth

Tackling a meth problem is not an easy decision to make. There is a lot of fear around going through detox and living life without the drug. To succeed at your goal to quit meth, you will need trained professionals to assist you. With their support and guidance, you can overcome a meth problem.

When you decide to get help for a meth habit, there is a three-part process involved. First, you will undergo the detox process, followed by the rehab program, and then aftercare actions. Here is what’s involved in meth recovery:

Step One: Detox and withdrawal. Meth withdrawal and cravings can be very difficult to endure. Those who attempt meth detox on their own often fail to complete the detox process and will revert back to drug use. For this reason, having trained detox experts assist you is key. Withdrawal symptoms may include:

• Headaches
• Joint pain.
• Constipation
• Clammy skin.
• Diarrhea
• Itchy eyes.
• Irregular heartbeat.
• Shaking
• Rapid breathing.
• Memory problems.
• Sleep problems.
• Low energy.
• Depression
• Intense cravings.
• Paranoia
• Suicidal thoughts.

Step Two: Rehab. A treatment program, either inpatient or outpatient, can help you sustain abstinence. Treatment includes a medley of activities that work in tandem to help you make lasting changes in your thoughts and behaviors. These treatment components include:

• Talk therapy.
• Group therapy.
• Family therapy.
• 12-step program.
• Education
• Life skills.
• Relapse prevention.
• Nutrition and exercise.
• Holistic methods.

Step Three: Aftercare. Once detox and rehab are finished, your work is not yet done. To sustain recovery you need to keep engaging in certain actions that will reinforce a lifestyle free of meth. These might include:

• Alumni activities.
• Sober living.
• Outpatient therapy.
• Growing your sober support network.
• Joining a recovery community.

If you are asking, “How long does meth stay in the urine? then you probably have a current problem with meth. If you have tested positive, there might be repercussions, such as losing your job or legal trouble. Know that there is help available when you decide it’s time to break free from this destructive substance.

Executive 7 Day Detox Provides Safe Medical Detox

Executive 7 Day Detox is a leading luxury detox and recovery program for busy executives. Let our trained clinicians help you achieve and maintain life from meth. If you struggle with a meth addiction, reach out to us today at (800) 381-0827.