Fast Facts about Crystal Meth

What Does methamphetamine look like?

Methamphetamine can come in various forms depending on how it is cooked and the chemicals it is cut with. Meth can be yellow, white, or clear and come in the form of chunks that look like ice, powder or crystals.

(SEE PICTURES OF METH)

How do you do methamphetamine?

Snort methamphetamine using cut up straws, and razor blades or plastic cards to cut up lines on a small mirror or compact disc case. Smoke using a gak pipe (glass test tube with a bubble end) heated by a lighter inhaling the smoke. Aluminum foil can also be used, methamphetamine is put on top and heated underneath with a lighter, and the user inhales the smoke. Inject using a spoon and lighter to liquefy methamphetamine and pull into a syringe and mainline into a vein.

Scientific Information: (Drug Facts)

CRYSTAL METH, ICE, JIB, GLASS, TINA, P

CLASSIFICATION: CNS stimulant TYPE Synthetic Illegal

EXPLANATION: lt is the freebase form of methamphetamine. It is odorless, colorless, resembles rock salt or a chip of ice or quartz rock.

METHOD OF USE: Inhaled by smoking

DURATION OF ACTION: 8 to 24 hrs.

DETECTION IN URINE SCREENING: 48 to 72 hrs. - 2 to 3 days.

PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS: Same as for methamphetamines/crank. Violence and hostility are more severe.

PHYSICAL EFFECTS: Same as for methamphetamines/crank

WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS: Same as for methamphetamine/crank but in some cases more severe with hallucinations, paranoid ideation and toxic psychosis. Recovery from psychosis may be complete; for some, however, there has been no improvement after 2 yrs. with medications.

OVERDOSE SYMPTOMS: See methamphetamines

METHAMPHETAMINES, CRANK

CLASSIFICATION: Central Nervous System Stimulant

TYPE: Synthetic Illegal

STREET NAMES: Meth, crystal meth, speed, glass, ice, hot ice, super ice, L.A. glass.

EXPLANATION: Methamphetamine is amphetamine to which 1 methyl group has been added thus it is more potent and can cross the blood brain barrier more rapidly than amphetamine. May be cut with toxic substances like cyanide or strychnine.

METHOD OF USE: I/V, snort

DURATION OF ACTION: 4 to 6 hrs

DETECTION IN URINE SCREENING: 48 to 72 hrs after use, - 2 to 3 days.

PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS: LOW DOSE: Increased alertness, wakefulness, elevation of mood, mild euphoria, increase in athletic performance, decrease in fatigue, increased energy, or may cause increased irritability, restlessness, insomnia, anxiety, panic. HIGH DOSES: Euphoria, can induce a pattern of psychosis marked by confused, disorganized behaviors, irritability, fear, paranoia, hallucinations, increased aggressiveness and antisocial behaviors.

PHYSICAL EFFECTS: Puts body in "overdrive", ready for fight or flight syndrome, increased pulse, blood pressure, respiration, and temp., and dilate pupils. Can cause a stroke, heart attack, or kidney failure.

WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS: Disorientation, confusion, apathy, irritability, itching, depression that may be so severe that suicide occurs. Long periods of sleep and increased appetite occurs because while the user was on a "run" taking drugs for one or more days they did not sleep or eat.

OVERDOSE SYMPTOMS: Agitation, hostility, hallucinations, convulsions, possible death, high temp.

NAME: AMPHETAMINES

CLASSIFICATION: Central Nervous System Stimulant

TYPE: Synthetic Legal.

STREET NAMES: Bennies, uppers, cross tops, black beauties, dexies, pep pills, co-pilots, bumblebees, hearts, footballs.

EXPLANATION: Formerly used to treat obesity, narcolepsy, hyperactivity in children.

METHOD OF USE: Oral, I/V, Snort.

DURATION OF ACTION: 3 - 6 hours depending on method of use. I/V being the quickest onset of action and oral the slowest.

DETECTION IN URINE SCREENING: 48 to 72 hours after last use, - 2 to 3 days.

PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS: (see methamphetmine)

LOW DOSE: Increase in alertness, dilated pupils, wakefulness, elevation of mood, mild euphoria, increase in athletic performance, decreased fatigue, increase in energy, or may cause increase in irritability, restlessness, insomnia, anxiety, and panic.

HIGH DOSE: Can induce a pattern of psychosis marked by confused, disorganized behavior, irritability, fear, paranoia, hallucinations, increase in aggresiveness and antisocial behavior.

PHYSICAL EFFECTS: Puts body in "overdrive": Increases heart rate, temperature, blood pressure, and other symptoms of the flight or fight syndrome. Could cause a stroke or heart attack or kidney failure due to an extremely high temperature.

WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS: Disorientation, apathy, long periods of sleep, increased appetite, irritability, itching, depression which may be so severe that suicide occurs. WITHDRAWAL IS NOT LIFE THREATENING UNLESS SUICIDAL.

OVERDOSE SYMPTOMS: Agitation, hostility, hallucinations, convulsions, possible death, highly elevated temperature.

What is Methamphetamine and How Does It Work?

Methamphetamine falls under the family of drugs known as stimulants.

Stimulants provide a quick temporary increase of energy.

Methamphetamine falls under a sub-category of stimulants called amphetamines.

Methamphetamine works by increasing the release of these neurotransmitters in the brain and then blocking their metabolism.

Norpinephrine (noradrenaline)

Elevates blood pressure

Increases rate of breathing

Raises blood sugar

Decreases activity of the intestines

Dopamine

Transmits nerve impulses

Produces adrenaline

Epinephrine

The hormone adrenalineActivates "fight or flight" response

Serotonin

Effects emotional statesAmphetamines also cause alertness so that the individual becomes aroused, hypersensitive and feels "turned on"

What is the High of Methamphetamine Like?

Millions are drawn to crystal meth because of its promise of endless energy, no need to eat or sleep, super focus, productivity and euphoria. Crystal meth does not discriminate; it preys on white collar professionals, students, the working class, the skid row bum and everybody in between. Imagine a euphoric flood, a complete body orgasm, infinite energy, the most boring of tasks becomes a riveting experience, even house-cleaning.

How Do People Get Addicted To Methamphetamine?

Many people do not know there is a down side to meth until they stop using and come down. The problem reveals itself with the crash following a run with meth. The day after the user feels sick, depressed, guilty, ashamed and angry. The meth user is aware that a small amount of meth will eliminate these unpleasant symptoms and produce good feelings. Eventually the user depends on meth to become a solution to the problem it has created, and the cycle of meth addiction is born. The trouble is that after awhile the high of meth becomes disappointing, euphoria turns to numbness, super focus is replaced by confusion, and productivity is limited to simple tasks.

A meth addict's time is spent 'teching', an obsession with repeating tasks like drawing, writing, applying and reapplying makeup or even ruthlessly picking at their own flesh.

Meth addicts become delusional and paranoid from lack of sleep combined with the hallucinogenic properties of the drug, this condition is known as 'sketching'.

Meth addicts can also become prone to hostility and rage, this condition is known as 'tweaking'.

Meth addiction is cunning and powerful, although it eventually fails the user, crystal meth is extremely addictive and many cannot resist the temptation to use meth 'one last time'.

What are the Effects of Methamphetamine?

Behavioral Effects:

Excited, Restless, Excessive Fidgeting
Pressed Speech ( unending stream of consciousness type of conversation)
Disorganized Patterns of Thought and Behavior
Irrational Anger, Irritable, Tense, Aggressive
Hypermania (excessive energy coupled with out of character behavior)
Distrust of Others
Violence, Anti-Social Behavior, Criminal Involvement
Stereotypy (an obsession with repeating the same simple task)
Flailing Odd Movements (excessive nerve activity)

Cognitive Effects:

Increased Alertness and Energy
Increased Confidence, Perceived Intelligence and Superiority
A Sense of Well Being
Agitation due to Over-stimulation
Panic, Fearfulness, Anxiety, Apprehension
Poor Concentration, Loss of Motivation
Self Consciousness
Paranoia, Hallucinations
Depression, Ahedonia (state of apathy), Suicidal Thoughts or Attempts
Confusion, Memory Problems
Speed Bugs (the feeling of bugs crawling beneath the skin, leads to skin picking)
Psychotic Episodes, Toxic Psychosis (methamphetamine induced schizophrenic state)

Physical Effects:

Increased Heart Rate, Respiration and Blood Pressure
Dilated Pupils
Increased Sex Drive (eventual decrease in sex drive)
Rise in Blood Sugar, Loss of Appetite
Increased Urine Output, Diarrhea, Dehydration
Teeth Grinding, Locked Jaw
Insomnia
Shakiness, Dizziness, Fainting
Fever (hyprexia body temperature 106 or above), Sweating, Flushed Skin
Tingling in the Extremities
Headaches, Blurred Vision, Eye Aneurysm
Itchy Skin, Sores on Skin
Abdominal Discomfort (mimics appendicitis), non-healing ulcers
Sore Throat or Raspy Voice from Smoking, Lung Problems
Nasal Damage from Snorting,
Vascular Damage from Injection, Vasculitis (inflammation of the arterial system)
Muscle Tremors, Convulsions
Chest Pain, Arrhythmia (irregular heart beat), Heart Attack, Stroke, Hypertension
Kidney Damage and Liver Disease
Brain Aneurysm, Brain Damage
Death

Is there a connection between crystal meth and ecstasy?

Police say that in some areas, crystal meth is replacing ecstasy as the drug used by teenagers and young adults in the rave and dance scene. In many areas, crystal meth is cheaper, at $10 for a "point" or about one-tenth of a gram. An ecstasy hit, or tablet, can cost twice as much, about $20. The RCMP say that some of the drugs seized at parties or dances that were sold as ecstasy were, in fact, crystal meth. As well, the police say that some dealers give out "free samples" at parties or in the dance scene, in hopes of hooking new customers. On the other hand, police and addiction counsellors say that some "street-wise" kids are on to that and try to avoid crystal meth either directly or disguised as ecstasy.

It's your choice... make a good one!