Crystal methamphetamine what does it look like

It is chemically similar to amphetamine, a medication used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ADHD and narcolepsy, but it is rarely prescribed for medicinal use.

Instead, meth is manufactured in clandestine laboratories and sold illegally by drug dealers. People can smoke, snort, swallow, or inject meth to produce an energetic and euphoric high. Meth identification can be challenging because the drug can take on different appearances, scents, and tastes. It can vary from one batch to the next and one manufacturer to the next. Law enforcement personnel typically use drug testing kits to confirm whether or not a suspected substance contains methamphetamine.

However, meth can also be identified by look, smell, and taste. Methamphetamine can come in many different forms, each of which has a unique appearance. In most cases, people purchase crystal meth that looks like broken glass fragments or crystalline rocks that can be clear, white, grey, or blue-ish white. It is also the most popular form of meth that is abused by people struggling with substance use disorder. In fact, meth is manufactured using a number of toxic chemicals, such as:[2].

Some of these chemicals have a strong scent. In most cases, meth will smell weakly like ammonia. However, some people say meth smells like metallic chemicals, cat urine, rotten eggs, or burning plastic. It is never a good idea to smell a substance to try and identify meth.

The chemicals used to make meth can produce toxic fumes that can cause confusion, dizziness, headaches, and respiratory products when inhaled. Some chemicals may be so corrosive that they cause a burning sensation on the mucous membranes of the eyes, throat, and nose. People usually describe meth as having a bitter taste.

People who inject methamphetamine are at increased risk of contracting infectious diseases such as HIV and hepatitis B and C. These diseases are transmitted through contact with blood or other bodily fluids that can remain on drug equipment. Methamphetamine use can also alter judgment and decision-making leading to risky behaviors, such as unprotected sex, which also increases risk for infection. Studies indicate that HIV causes more injury to nerve cells and more cognitive problems in people who use methamphetamine than it does in people who have HIV and don't use the drug.

In addition, continued methamphetamine use causes changes in the brain's dopamine system that are associated with reduced coordination and impaired verbal learning. In studies of people who used methamphetamine over the long term, severe changes also affected areas of the brain involved with emotion and memory. Although some of these brain changes may reverse after being off the drug for a year or more, other changes may not recover even after a long period of time.

Researchers don't yet know whether people breathing in secondhand methamphetamine smoke can get high or have other health effects. What they do know is that people can test positive for methamphetamine after exposure to secondhand smoke. Yes, a person can overdose on methamphetamine. An overdose occurs when the person uses too much of a drug and has a toxic reaction that results in serious, harmful symptoms or death. In , about 15 percent of all drug overdose deaths involved the methamphetamine category, and 50 percent of those deaths also involved an opioid, with half of those cases related to the synthetic opioid fentanyl.

It is important to note that cheap, dangerous synthetic opioids are sometimes added to street methamphetamine without the user knowing. Because methamphetamine overdose often leads to a stroke, heart attack, or organ problems, first responders and emergency room doctors try to treat the overdose by treating these conditions, with the intent of:. Yes, methamphetamine is highly addictive. When people stop taking it, withdrawal symptoms can include:.

While research is underway, there are currently no government-approved medications to treat methamphetamine addiction. The good news is that methamphetamine misuse can be prevented and addiction to the drug can be treated with behavioral therapies.

The most effective treatments for methamphetamine addiction so far are behavioral therapies, such as:. Research also continues toward development of medicines and other new treatments for methamphetamine use, including vaccines, and noninvasive stimulation of the brain using magnetic fields.

The signs of overdose include:. An overdose can lead to a cardiac arrest , unconsciousness or death. If you suspect someone has overdosed on ice, call triple zero and ask for an ambulance.

People who use ice repeatedly can develop physical problems including extreme weight loss, poor sleep, dental problems, regular colds, trouble concentrating, stiff muscles, heart problems , kidney problems, depression or stroke.

People who use ice regularly may look much older than they should. They can find everyday activities less enjoyable, have rapid mood swings and become depressed and easily stressed. They are also susceptible to social, work and financial problems. See what are the effects of taking drugs? Snorting the ice can cause nosebleeds, sinus problems and damage to the nose.

Using ice along with drugs like speed or ecstasy increases the risk of a stroke. Using it with alcohol, cannabis or benzodiazepines increases the risk of an overdose. People quickly need larger doses of ice to produce the same effect, making ice highly addictive.

Some users feel they need the drug just to get through the day. Withdrawing can be difficult and can lead to cravings, increased appetite, confusion, irritability, aches and pains, exhaustion, sleep problems, anxiety, depression and paranoia.

Find information about ice on the Alcohol and Drug Foundation website or by calling DrugInfo on 85 85 You can also call Lifeline on 13 11 Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.

Methamphetamine or 'ice' comes with many short and long term effects. Find out what to do in the case of addiction or withdrawal and places to get help. Read more on NSW Health website. Read more on Alcohol and Drug Foundation website. Helping the Australian community respond to the increase in the use of crystal methamphetamine ice.

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