What is methamphetamine?
This powerfully addictive stimulant is known by many different names, such as "meth,” "crank,” "ice,” "crystal,” "speed,” "chalk” or "glass." It can be made in home "laboratories" on the kitchen stove, in a bathtub, or the trunk of a car. Because of this, crank is readily available and inexpensive.
The recipe for making meth can be found on the Internet. Many of the ingredients are volatile and poisonous, such as gasoline, ether, lye, rat poison, Drano, ephedrine, even battery parts. Combined together, these ingredients can become quite explosive. Those mixing meth are often burned or killed when toxic fumes explode.
What does meth look like?
It is sold in two different forms: an odorless, white or yellowish crystalline powder that is bitter to the tongue and easily dissolves in water or alcohol, or, large, clear crystals.
How is it used?
In powder form, meth can be snorted through the nose, mixed with water or alcohol and swallowed, or injected directly into the bloodstream.
The large, clear crystals of pure meth are smoked in a glass pipe, similar to those used to smoke crack cocaine. The resulting smoke is odorless and leaves a residue that can be re-smoked.
What are signals that a person may be using?
There are several symptoms and effects of methamphetamine, however, it is important to know that these will vary according to the amount and length of usage.
Physical :
- extended wakefulness
- increased alertness/excessive energy
- loss of appetite/weight loss
- bad breath/tooth loss
- blurred vision
- impaired speech
- teeth grinding
- rapid eye movement
Psychological :
- disinterest in friends, sex, or food
- anxiousness/nervousness
- extreme irritability and agitation
- disturbed sleep/insomnia
- hallucinations/paranoia
- severe depression
- delusions of grandeur/false sense of confidence and power leading to aggressive or dangerous behavior
- out of control rages and extremely violent behavior
- psychomotor agitation
- loss of tooth enamel
For more information on methamphetamine or substance abuse treatment, call 553-3000 or email info@heartlandfamilyservice.org
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