Meth vs. Heroin: Which Drug is More Addictive?
Key Takeaways
- Heroin increases brain dopamine by up to 200% and is deadly in high doses - Jump to Section
- Combining meth and heroin, also known as speedballing, can lead to overdose and death - Jump to Section
- Recovery from addiction can involve inpatient, outpatient, or detox programs - Jump to Section
- Both drugs are highly addictive and can cause serious long-term damage - Jump to Section
- Meth and heroin have different effects, methods of use, and withdrawal symptoms - Jump to Section
Meth and heroin are two extremely dangerous and addictive drugs. Both are highly addictive and can cause severe physical and psychological damage.
Which Drug is More Addictive?
A study by neuropsychopharmacologist David Nutt found that heroin is the world’s most addictive drug.
Taking heroin will result in the following:
- Heroin causes the quantity of dopamine in the brain to increase by up to 200%.
- Regular heroin users often develop a tolerance, which means that they need more of the drug to achieve their desired effects
- Heroin is extremely dangerous because the amount that can cause death is only five times greater than the quantity required for a high
While meth may not be as addictive as heroin, it’s still incredibly addictive. The drug also increases dopamine, leading to more of this chemical in the brain.
Frequent meth users may:
- Build up a tolerance to the drug that will require a person to take more of the drug to feel the same effects as before
- Find it challenging to feel happy without meth and will experience withdrawal symptoms when it wears off
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Dangers of Mixing Meth and Heroin
Mixing meth and heroin is commonly referred to as “speedballing.” A “speedball” usually involves a combination of a depressant and a stimulant.
Side effects of mixing meth and heroin include:
- A state of general confusion
- Incoherence
- Blurred vision
- Stupor (decreased mental function)
- Drowsiness
- Paranoia
- Insomnia
- Uncontrolled and uncoordinated motor skills
The risks of mixing meth and heroin include:
- Overdose
- Stroke
- Heart attack
- Aneurysm
- Respiratory failure
- Death
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Treatment for Meth and Heroin Addiction
Many drug addiction treatments are available for meth and heroin addiction. Drug treatment programs include:
- Inpatient treatment requires you to stay at a residential facility for an extended time
- Outpatient treatment is less intensive, as it allows you to remain in your own home while receiving treatment
- Partial hospitalization programs combine the intensity of inpatient care with the flexibility of outpatient care
- Detox programs provide medical care and support to help you safely withdraw from drugs
Heroin and meth are two of the most difficult drug addictions to overcome. This is why anyone addicted to heroin or meth requires professional treatment. People who attempt to quit drug use alone rarely make a lasting recovery.
Similarities Between Meth and Heroin
Despite their differences, meth and heroin also have some similarities. Their similarities include:
Addictive Properties
Meth and heroin are highly addictive drugs. They both cause physical and psychological dependence, which leads to addiction.
It’s easy to become addicted to either drug, and it can be difficult to stop using them. When someone is addicted to either drug, they may experience withdrawal symptoms when they try to quit.
Long-Term Damage
Taking either drug can cause long-term damage to the body. Both drugs can damage the brain, heart, lungs, and other organs. They can also lead to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.
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Differences Between Meth and Heroin
While both drugs are dangerous, there are some key differences between meth and heroin:
Street Names
Methamphetamine, commonly referred to as meth or crystal meth, is an illegal stimulant drug. Street names for methamphetamine include crank, crystal, ice, and speed.
Heroin is an illegal opioid drug made from morphine, which comes from opium poppy plants. Street names for heroin include smack, big H, hell dust, and horse.
Appearance
Methamphetamine is a white crystal-like rock or powder. Heroin comes as a white or brown powder or black sticky substance known as black tar heroin.
Method of Use
Meth is most commonly used by smoking, snorting, and injection, while people inject, sniff, snort, or smoke heroin.
Effects
While both cause a high, heroin and meth produce opposite effects. Meth is a stimulant that causes a ‘high’ that lasts between 4 and 14 hours.
On the other hand, heroin is a depressant that slows the activity of the central nervous system (CNS). A heroin high is much shorter than a meth high and usually lasts only a few minutes.
Withdrawal Symptoms
Methamphetamine withdrawal lasts longer than heroin withdrawal, with cravings and other symptoms lasting up to 5 weeks.
Methamphetamine withdrawal symptoms include:
- Tiredness
- Disturbed sleep
- Dry mouth
- Headaches
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Hallucinations
- Lack of appetite and malnourishment
- Increased appetite
- Muscle spasms or seizures
- Depression
- Feeling unmotivated
- Intense cravings for more meth
Heroin withdrawal can start as early as only a few hours after the last time the drug is taken. Significant withdrawal symptoms peak between 24 to 48 hours after the last dose and subside after about a week. Some people experience it for many months.
Heroin withdrawal symptoms include:
- Restlessness
- Severe muscle and bone pain
- Sleep problems
- Diarrhea and vomiting
- Cold flashes with goosebumps (“cold turkey”)
- Uncontrollable leg movements (“kicking the habit”)
- Severe heroin cravings
Summary
Heroin and meth are two very different drugs, but they also have similarities. Both are highly addictive and can cause long-term damage to the body.
It’s important to be aware of the risks associated with both drugs. Seek help if you or someone you know is struggling with addiction.
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- Bowman, E. “The Five Most Addictive Substances in the World.” CNN, Cable News Network, 2019.
- “Heroin In The Brain | The Opium Kings | FRONTLINE.” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service.
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- “What are the treatments for heroin use disorder?.” National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2020.
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- “Substance Use.” MyHealth.Alberta.ca, Government of Alberta.
- “Speed-Balling: Mixing Stimulants and Opioids.” The Florida Alcohol And Drug Abuse Association (Fadaa) And The State Of Florida, Department Of Children And Families.
- Zorick, et al. “Withdrawal Symptoms in Abstinent Methamphetamine‐Dependent Subjects.” Wiley Online Library, John Wiley & Sons, 2010.
- Newton TF, Kalechstein AD, Duran S, Vansluis N, Ling W. “Methamphetamine abstinence syndrome: preliminary findings.” Am J Addict, 2004.
- Nutt D, King LA, Saulsbury W, Blakemore C. “Development of a rational scale to assess the harm of drugs of potential misuse.” Lancet, 2007.
