Frequently Asked Questions
Methamphetamine is a stimulant drug
chemically related to amphetamine but with stronger effects on the central nervous system. It is a white, odorless, bitter-tasting
crystalline powder that easily dissolves in water or alcohol. Meth is made of highly volatile, toxic substances (based on
such chemical "precursors" as methylamine and amyl amine) that are melded in differing combinations, forming what
some have described as a "mix of laundry detergent and lighter fluid."
Street names
for the drug include "speed," "meth," "crystal," and "crank." Crystallized methamphetamine
known as "ice," "crystal," or "glass," is a smokable and more powerful form of the drug.
Meth can either be snorted
or injected, or in its crystal form 'ice' smoked in a pipe, and brings on a feeling of exhilaration and a sharpening
of focus. Smoking meth results in an instantaneous dose of almost pure drug to the brain, giving a huge rush followed by a
feeling of euphoria for anything from 2-16 hours.
The effects
of meth can last 6 to 8 hours. After the initial "rush," there is typically a state of high agitation that in some
individuals can lead to violent behavior.
Meth's effects
increases arousal in the central nervous system by pumping up levels of two neurotransmitters, norepinephrine and dopamine.
At low doses, meth boosts alertness and blocks hunger and fatigue. At higher doses, meth causes exhilaration and euphoria.
At very high doses, the effects of meth can cause agitation, paranoia, and bizarre behavior.
Anxiety,
emotional swings, and paranoia are the most common psychological effects due to chronic use of meth. Symptoms increase with
long-term use, and can involve paranoid delusions and hallucinations. Violence and self-destructive behavior are common.
The
side effects of meth include: paranoia, short term memory loss, wild rages and mood swings as well as damage to your immune
system.
Meth side effects include but are not limited to:
- Hyperactivity
- Irritability
- Visual hallucinations
- Auditory hallucinations (hearing "voices")
- Suicidal tendencies
- Aggression
- Suspiciousness, severe paranoia
- Shortness of breath
- Increased blood pressure
- Cardiac arrhythmia
- Stroke
- Sweating
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- Long periods of sleep ("crashing" for 24-48 hours or more)
- Prolonged sluggishness, severe depression
- Weight loss, malnutrition, anorexia
- Itching (illusion that bugs are crawling on the skin)
- Welts on the skin
- Involuntary body movements
- Paranoid delusions
What is meth addiction?
Meth addiction has three patterns: low intensity, binge, and high intensity. Low-intensity abuse describes a user who is not psychologically addicted to the drug but uses meth on a casual basis by swallowing or snorting it. Binge and high-intensity abusers are psychologically addicted to meth and prefer to smoke or inject meth to achieve faster and stronger high. Binge abusers use meth more than low-intensity abusers but less than high-intensity abusers. As far as we know, meth does not create a physical addiction in the user. Although, meth is extremely psychologically addictive.
Meth addiction has three patterns: low intensity, binge, and high intensity. Low-intensity abuse describes a user who is not psychologically addicted to the drug but uses meth on a casual basis by swallowing or snorting it. Binge and high-intensity abusers are psychologically addicted to meth and prefer to smoke or inject meth to achieve faster and stronger high. Binge abusers use meth more than low-intensity abusers but less than high-intensity abusers. As far as we know, meth does not create a physical addiction in the user. Although, meth is extremely psychologically addictive.
How widespread is meth addiction?
Meth addiction, long reported as the dominant drug problem in the San Diego, CA, area, has become a substantial drug problem in other sections of the West and Southwest, as well. There are indications that it is spreading to other areas of the country, including both rural and urban sections of the South and Midwest. Meth, traditionally associated with white, male, blue-collar workers, is being used by more diverse population groups that change over time and differ by geographic area.
Meth addiction, long reported as the dominant drug problem in the San Diego, CA, area, has become a substantial drug problem in other sections of the West and Southwest, as well. There are indications that it is spreading to other areas of the country, including both rural and urban sections of the South and Midwest. Meth, traditionally associated with white, male, blue-collar workers, is being used by more diverse population groups that change over time and differ by geographic area.
According
to the 1996 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, an estimated 4.9 million people (2.3 percent of the population) have
tried meth at some time in their lives. In 1994, the estimate was 3.8 million (1.8 percent), and in 1995 it was 4.7 million
(2.2 percent).
Meth
withdrawal, length and severity of depression is related to how much and how often Meth was used. Withdrawal symptoms including,
cravings, exhaustion, depression, mental confusion, restlessness, insomnia, deep or disturbed sleep, may last up to 48 hours.
Meth Withdrawal symptoms included but are not limited to:
- Fatigue
- Long, disturbed periods of sleep
- Irritability
- Intense hunger
- Moderate to severe depression
- Psychotic reactions
- Anxiety
An
overdose can occur at relatively low levels (50 milligrams of pure meth for a non-tolerant user). Metabolic rates vary from
person to person, and the strength of the Meth varies from batch to batch, so there is no way of stating a "safe"
level of use. Because stimulants such as meth effect the body's cardiovascular and temperature-regulating systems, physical
exertion increases the hazards of Meth use. Methamphetamine kills by causing heart failure, brain damage and stroke.
- Sudden and dangerous increase in blood pressure
- Dangerous rise in body temperature
- Sweating
- User could see spots (due to pressure on the nerves of eye)
- Chances of heart attack, stroke, or coma.
- High fever
- Convulsions
- Cardiovascular collapse
How is meth produced?
Methamphetamines can be produced virtually anywhere. Motel rooms, trailer parks, and suburban homes can all be turned into clandestine "meth" labs capable of producing substantial quantities of the drug. The technical know-how needed to produce methamphetamines can easily be found on the Internet. These peculiarities make the production of methamphetamine unique, and especially difficult to control. Recent analyses have indicated that methamphetamine from these labs can be as high as 97-99 percent pure.
Methamphetamines can be produced virtually anywhere. Motel rooms, trailer parks, and suburban homes can all be turned into clandestine "meth" labs capable of producing substantial quantities of the drug. The technical know-how needed to produce methamphetamines can easily be found on the Internet. These peculiarities make the production of methamphetamine unique, and especially difficult to control. Recent analyses have indicated that methamphetamine from these labs can be as high as 97-99 percent pure.
About the only thing that stands in the way of widespread production and distribution of methamphetamine is the limited
availability of the chemicals required to make it. Ephedrine and hydriotic acid, two components of methamphetamine, are tightly
controlled in the United States. Yet the recent surge in methamphetamine use suggests that drug traffickers are finding ways
around this impediment.
Although the precursor
chemicals may be effectively regulated in the United States, in Mexico they are not. Highly organized Mexican drug trafficking
syndicates have taken advantage of their country's lenient regulatory practices to dominate the United States' methamphetamine
trade. Utilizing the same trafficking routes through which up to 70 percent of the cocaine arriving in the United States now
passes, the Mexican trafficking organizations have been able to deliver the chemicals needed to produce methamphetamine to
associates living in the United States. These associates then "cook-up" and distribute the final product. In addition
to this practice of illicit chemical diversion, these criminal groups also smuggle methamphetamine produced in Mexico to the
United States.
Amphetamines -
Amphetamine, dextroamphetamine and methamphetamine are collectively referred to as amphetamines. Their chemical properties
and actions are so similar that even experienced users have difficulty knowing which drug they have taken.
Amphetamine was first marketed in the 1930s under the name Benzedrine in an over-the-counter
inhaler to treat nasal congestion. By 1937, amphetamine was available by prescription in tablet form and was used in the treatment
of the sleeping disorder narcolepsy and something called minimal brain dysfunction (MBD), which today is called attention
deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
During World War II, amphetamine was widely used to keep the soldiers going. During this period, both dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine) and methamphetamine (Methedrine) became easily available.
During World War II, amphetamine was widely used to keep the soldiers going. During this period, both dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine) and methamphetamine (Methedrine) became easily available.
As use of amphetamines spread, so did the tendency to become addicted. Amphetamines
became a cure-all for helping truckers to complete their long routes without falling asleep, for weight control, for helping
athletes to perform better and train longer, and for treating mild depression. Intravenous amphetamine abuse spread among
a subculture known as "speed freaks." As time went on, it became evident that the dangers of abuse of these drugs
outweighed most of their therapeutic uses.
In
1965, greater attempts to control amphetamines were instituted with amendments to the federal food and drug laws to curb the
black market in amphetamines. Many pharmaceutical amphetamine products were removed from the market and doctors prescribed
those that remained with reluctance. In order to meet the ever increasing black market demand for amphetamines, illegal laboratory
production mushroomed, especially methamphetamine laboratories on the West Coast.
Today, most amphetamines distributed to the black market are produced in clandestine laboratories.
Today, most amphetamines distributed to the black market are produced in clandestine laboratories.
