Methamphetamine

• What is methamphetamine?
• Street Names
• How is it taken?
• What are the effects?
• What are the dangers?
• Is it addictive?

What is methamphetamine?

• A dangerous, sometimes lethal and unpredictable drug.
  
• A strong stimulant in the Amphetamine drug class that excites the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord).

The most common forms are:

• White, odorless, bitter-tasting powder that easily dissolves in water.
  
• Clear, large chunky crystals resembling rock candy (smoked).
  
• Small, brightly colored tablets.

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Street Names

"Meth," "Speed," "Ice," "Crystal meth," "glass," "speed," "poor man's cocaine"
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How is it taken?

Methamphetamine is taken in the following manner:

• Smoked ("ice," "crystal meth," crystallized methamphetamine hydrochloride). Known as a "cool" smoke (crack cocaine is known as a "hot" smoke). Smoked similar to cocaine. Ten to 15 "hits" can be obtained from a single gram of substance


• Snorted.


• Injected (by needle).


• Taken orally.

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What are the effects?

Physical effects include:

• Increased heart rate.
  
• Increased blood pressure.
  
• Increased body temperature.
  
• Increased rate of breathing.
  
• Dilated pupils.
  
• Tremors.

Psychological effects include:

• Feelings of euphoria.
  
• Increased nervousness.
  
• Irritability.
  
• Paranoia.

Behavioral effects include:

• Violent and erratic behavior.
  
• Temporary hyperactivity.
  
• Increased energy.

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What are the dangers?

• Addiction.
  
• Chronic abuse produces a mental psychosis similar to schizophrenia characterized by:
  
  • Paranoia.
    
  • Picking at the skin.
    
  • Preoccupation with one's own thoughts.
    
  • Auditory and visual hallucinations.
• Violent and erratic behavior.
  
• "Tweaking, the most dangerous stage of the binge cycle in which the abuser has not slept in three to 15 days and is irritable and paranoid. The tweaker has an intense craving for more meth; however no dosage will help recreate the euphoric high. This results in:
  • Frustration.
    
  • Unpredictable behavior.
    
  • Potential for violence.
    
  • Potential for overdose, which can result in death!
  
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  Is it addictive?

  Yes, methamphetamine is addictive.
  
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