What Is Meth?
Methamphetamine is a synthetic amphetamine produced and sold illegally
in pill form, capsules, powder and chunks. It may be referred to as meth,
crank, glass, speed, crystal, ice, fire, glass, crank, or chalk. It is available at relatively low cost in many forms and can be smoked, inhaled, injected, or injested.
The drug is easily made from substances readily available over the counter, such as cold remedies. There is a great variation in the processes and chemicals used. It is usually manufactured, or cooked, in a home, apartment, mobile home, motel room, or vehicle.
When cooked, the chemicals used to make the drug are highly toxic and pose a great risk of explosion. The fumes can permeate the walls, carpet, and drapes. Cleanup of a meth lab can be dangerous, and expensive. The Salt Lake City-County Health Department expected to clean up about 300 meth labs in 1998.
The drug is a west coast phenomenon. It came out of Asia, from Japan, the Philippines, through Hawaii, and into the west coast. Then it spread up the southwest and into Utah. It also made its way quickly to the midwest, and has now shown up in the eastern U.S.
What It Does
Methamphetamines stimulate the central nervous system, and are extremely addictive.
They cause changes in the heart similar to a heart attack.
According to The National Institute on Drug Abuse, "Methamphetamine releases high levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which stimulates brain cells, enhancing mood and
body movement. It also appears to ...damage brain cells that contain dopamine and serotonin, another
neurotransmitter. Over time, methamphetamine appears to cause reduced levels of dopamine, which can result in symptoms
like those of Parkinson's disease."
After the effects of meth wear off, withdrawal can be intense. Withdrawal is typically characterized by drug craving, depression, disturbed sleep patterns, and increased appetite.
Side Effects Can Include:
- False confidence
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Aggression
- Insomnia
- Paranoia/psychosis
- Dilated pupils
- Weight loss/anorexia
- Increased blood pressure
- Stroke
- Hyperthermia
- Convulsions
- Hallucinations
- Severe Depression
- Repetitious Behavior
- Greater odds of becoming a victim of criminal activity
and child abuse
Treating Meth Addiction
Experts agree that meth addiction is extremely difficult to treat. In fact, many describe meth abusers as "the hardest to treat" of all drug users. According to the Koch Crime Institute, meth users, "are often overly excitable and extremely resistant to any form of intervention once the acute
effects of meth use have gone away."
"Meth addicts get over the acute
effects of withdrawal fairly quickly. However, the 'wall' period lasts 6-8
months. This is a period of prolonged abstinence during which the brain
recovers from the changes resulting from meth use. During this period,
recovering addicts feel depressed, fuzzyheaded, and think life isn't as
pleasurable without the drug."
Because prolonged use causes changes in
the brain, willpower alone may not cure meth addicts. There are currently no medications available to treat addiction or overdose of methamphetamines. Relapse is common.
Michael Sise, M.D., of Trauma Services at Mercy Hospital in San Diego, California, has written, "You will inevitably die, whether directly or indirectly, from the use of methamphetamine."
Dr. Sise agrees that treatment results are dismal, and calls the prognosis worse than cancer.
However, many addicts have recovered from meth use and gone on to lead productive, drug-free lives.
If you would like information about drug treatment, contact:
National Drug Information
Treatment and Referral Hotline
(800) 662-HELP(4357)
