Methamphetamine (Crystal meth/Crank/Speed/Glass/Ice)

All of the methamphetamine related drugs more familiar to us as "speed" It goes by many names and has many forms from powder to crystallized and can be smoked, inhaled, eaten or injected intravenously. Users may be referred to as 'tweakers.' It's very available, cheap to buy, and produces an extended high making it extremely tempting to the young and foolish. 


Meth speeds up the Central Nervous System and metabolism initially being pleasurable, making one more alert and full of energy. This decreases the need for sleep and increases euphoria and sex drive. It is thus highly addictive, but ultimately drives the body and mind so fast it literally burns it up. Chronic users will experience weight loss, welts on the skin, shortness of breath, hyperactivity, severe depression, paranoid delusions and suicidal tendencies. 



Short-Term Effects


When methamphetamine is injected or smoked it immediately produces an intensely pleasurable sensation known as a "rush" or a "flash" by releasing high levels of dopamine in the brain. Snorting methamphetamine produces an euphoric sensation, but not a rush.
Even taken in small amounts, methamphetamine can cause:
- Increased wakefulness.
- Increased physical activity.
- Decreased appetite.
- Increased respiration.
- Hyperthermia.
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure.
- Irregular heart beat.
- Cardiovascular collapse.


Other effects of meth use on the central nervous system can produce the following symptoms:
- Irritability.
- Prolonged insomnia.
- Confusion.
- Anxiety.
- Tremors.
- Convulsions.
- Paranoia.
- Aggressiveness.



Long-Term Effects


Chronic meth use can result in:
- Violent behavior.
- Psychotic behavior.
- Auditory hallucinations.
- Mood disturbances.
- Delusions and paranoia.
- Homicidal or suicidal thoughts.


The long-term use of methamphetamine can cause damage to the brain similar to that caused by Alzheimer's disease, stroke and epilepsy. This brain damage lingers for months even after the user stops methamphetamine use. Methamphetamine abuse can produce extreme anorexia. Even over a short period of use, methamphetamine can cause drastic changes in the appearance of the user. See The Face of Meth Use.


Overdose




Overdose


Unlike other drugs, a methamphetamine overdose gives no immediate signs to users. Users can take a lethal dose and not immediately realize that they have just done so.
An overdose results in a rapid onset of physiological deterioration, eventually leading to a heart attack or stroke. Because of the rapid onset, death occurs suddenly and unexpectedly.


A meth overdose produces profuse sweating, rapid breathing, increased heart rate and dilated pupils. A person who has overdosed on meth with have a high temperature, kidney failure and cardiovascular collapse -- and it will all happen very quickly.



Withdrawal


People who stop using methamphetamine experience a wide variety of symptoms, including:
- Irritability.
- Depression.
- Fearfulness.
- Loss of energy.
- Extreme craving for the drug.


Meth withdrawal also results in actual physical symptoms:
- Shaking or tremors.
- Nausea.
- Palpitations.
- Sweating.
- Hyperventilation.
- Increased appetite.