Plugging Meth | Dangers Of Booty Bumping Meth

Kimberly Langdon, M.D.

Medically Reviewed By: Kimberly Langdon, M.D.

on December 9, 2022

Booty bumping meth, or inserting the drug into your rectum, can result in tears in the anal canal, infection, disease, and an increased the risk of overdose.

Methamphetamine, also referred to as crystal methamphetamine or crystal meth, is an addictive stimulant drug that can be abused by inserting the drug into the rectum, a process referred to as plugging, boofing, or booty bumping.

Although similar to amphetamines such as Adderall, methamphetamine is much stronger.

When meth is combined with a liquid and used with a syringe to inject the drug into the rectum, there is a risk of overdose as well as other dangers. Rectal administration of meth is a form of substance use that can result in bodily harm to the body and severe side effects.

Side Effects Of Plugging Meth

According to the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, harm reduction practices such as using sterile water and clean needleless syringes can help prevent negative risks associated with this form of meth abuse. 

While plugging meth may not be as harmful as other routes of administration, such as snorting the drug, there are still a number of serious side effects that can occur.

Short-Term Side Effects

Methamphetamine use affects the central nervous system (CNS) and stimulates it, releasing large amounts of dopamine according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

This form of drug use instantly creates a rush of euphoric sensations.

Some of the short-term side effects of plugging meth, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), may include:

  • a sense of euphoria or a “rush” of happiness
  • decreased appetite
  • irregular heart rate
  • increase in physical activity
  • high blood pressure
  • high body temperature
  • faster breathing

Long-Term Side Effects

Those who abuse meth long-term may experience a number of life-threatening health risks such as:

  • hallucinations
  • delusions
  • gum or teeth decay referred to as “meth mouth”
  • damage to the rectum
  • mood swings
  • confusion
  • anxiety
  • severe itching

Withdrawal Symptoms

Those who suffer from meth withdrawal can have a number of symptoms including severe mental health problems which can consist of depression, anxiety, or psychosis. In addition to this, a person may experience continued fatigue as well as intense cravings for the drug.

If you’re experiencing withdrawal symptoms, seek medical advice from your local Ohio healthcare provider and find an Ohio addiction treatment center.

Dangers Of Plugging Meth

The rectal administration of meth can create possible dangers that can cause lasting effects on your health.

Anal Canal Damage

While abscesses on the skin may not occur with booty bumping, rectal use may result in damage to the anal canal and local tissue.

Frequent meth plugging may result in tissue damage or bleeding. Those who participate in anal sex may have a higher risk of developing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS, and hepatitis due to the damaged tissue in the rectum.

Diseases may also be contracted if equipment used for boofing isn’t sterilized. Adding lube to your rectum before plugging may help prevent the tearing of tissue.

Meth Overdose

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) states that symptoms of meth overdose may include:

  • stroke
  • heart attack
  • coma
  • breathing problems
  • fluctuations in heartbeat
  • kidney failure
  • organ failure
  • chest pain
  • agitation

Large doses of meth can enter the bloodstream very quickly when plugging the drug. As a result, people with meth addiction may take too large of a dose too fast, increasing the risk of overdose.

Meth Addiction Treatment

If you or your loved one struggle with meth use, Ohio Recovery Center can help. 

At our inpatient treatment center, we offer a wide-range of treatment options that include medical detox support, behavioral therapy, group therapy, and aftercare resources.

To learn more about our healthcare services, please contact us today.

  1. National Institute on Drug Abuse — What is Methamphetamine? https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/methamphetamine
  2. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus — Methamphetamine https://medlineplus.gov/methamphetamine.html
  3. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) — Know the Risks of Meth https://www.samhsa.gov/meth
  4. Western Journal of Emergency Medicine — Bottoms Up: Methamphetamine Toxicity from an Unusual Route https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2672287/

Written by Ohio Recovery Center Editorial Team

© 2024 Ohio Recovery Center | All Rights Reserved

* This page does not provide medical advice.

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