What is meth?
Methamphetamine is an illegal, highly addictive drug. A powerful cousin of amphetamines, it is taken by swallowing in pill form, or by smoking, inhaling or injecting the powdered or crystalline form. It goes by many names, among them crank, speed, ice and crystal.

 

How does meth affect people who use it?
Depending on how is it taken, it initially produces feelings of confidence, alertness and energy. If injected or smoked, users also get a "rush" or intense pleasure that lasts a short time. Effects can last from four to six hours. When the drug wears off, the supply of brain chemicals producing these good feelings is depleted, and users experience a period of feeling "low." Over time, the good feelings become less; the user has difficulty feeling good or experiencing pleasure even while using the drug.

 

What effects does meth have on the body?
Because meth is a powerful stimulant, effects include:

• Learning and memory problems

• Insomnia

• Decreased appetite and anorexia

• Increased heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature

• Tremors or convulsions

• Lung, kidney and liver damage

• Irreversible damage to blood vessels in the brain, which can produce stroke

• Decaying teeth

• Increased risk of getting or transmitting HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B and C, and other diseases for users who inject, share needles or have unprotected sex

 

What signs might indicate that someone is using meth?

Among the symptoms you could notice are:

• Tremors

• Confusion

• Weakness

• Hallucinations

• Dry mouth

• Fatigue

• Cough

• Irritability

• Sweating

• Paranoia

• Burned lips

• Depression

• Sore nose

• Anger

• Headaches

• Loss of concentration

• Diarrhea

• Psychosis

 

Online resources:

• Partnership to End Addiction has news and information for families, and information about meth. They also have a meth resource page.

• Just Think Twice

• Information on methamphetamine from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration