methamphetamine - P

Methamphetamine is a powerfully addictive drug that strongly activates certain systems in the brain.  It is closely related to amphetamines, but has a greater effect on the central nervous system.

It belongs to a class of drugs known as “stimulants” and works by releasing high levels of the brain chemical dopamine, stimulating brain cells, enhancing mood and body movement.  Methamphetamine is also a neurotoxin, which means that it damages the neurons that produce the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin.

Street names for methamphetamine include “P”, “pure”, “speed", “meth", “chalk", “crank", “crystal", “ice", “glass", “crystal meth", “sketch", “go", “junk", “wake up", “zoom"’, “tweak” and “dope".

How it is used

It can be snorted, smoked, injected or eaten, with each way of administration producing different “highs” for the user.

Effects

Immediately after smoking the drug or injecting it intravenously, the user experiences a feeling of intense pleasure or “rush” which lasts for a few minutes.  Snorting or swallowing the drug produces an euphoric feeling, but not a rush, and produces effects within 15-20 minutes.

The pleasurable rush disappears quickly, but other effects may last between 8 to 24 hours or longer and include:

• Increased alertness, sense of wellbeing

• Hallucinations, paranoia

• Aggressive/violent behaviour

• Increased heart rate, convulsions

• Convulsions

• Extreme rise in body temperature (as high as 42.2°C/108°F, which can cause brain damage and death)

• Uncontrollable movements (twitching, jerking, grinding of teeth, etc)

• Mood swings, insomnia, loss of appetite

• Impaired speech

• Dry, itchy skin, acne, sores

• Numbness

Methamphetamine causes a severe crash after the effects wear off, which is more intense and longer lasting than both amphetamine sulphate and cocaine.  These negative effects (eg mood swings, paranoia, restlessness) will increase as the person ‘comes down’ from the high.  This can last for days, or weeks if the person has been using for some time.  The person may want to use again in order to stop these feelings.

Long-term Effects

• Violent, aggressive behaviour

• Auditory hallucinations (“hearing voices”)

• Behaviour resembling paranoid schizophrenia

• Permanent psychological problems, eg long-term depression

• Decreased social life, preoccupation with drug use

• Personal and social problems, such as family arguments and problems at work or school

• Poor coping abilities, disorganised lifestyle

• Insomnia

• Weight loss, malnutrition

• Lowered resistance to illness

• Liver damage

• Fatal kidney and lung disorders

• Brain damage

• Stroke

• Death

Tolerance & Dependence

Tolerance

Tolerance for methamphetamine occurs within minutes, meaning that the intensely pleasurable effects disappear even before the concentration in the blood falls significantly.  This lures users into trying to maintain the high by bingeing on the drug repeatedly.

Dependence

The other significant health consequence for users of methamphetamine is a strong dependence on the drug.  With repeated use the dopamine receptors in the brain are damaged, meaning that the brain is unable to register the same levels of pleasure and satisfaction of any life experience (not just the effects of drugs) as it did before using methamphetamine.  This sets up the cycle of dependence, where users “need” the drug in order to feel pleasure, or simply to overcome the feelings of withdrawal.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding 

Like all drugs, methamphetamine may have the potential to cause harm to the unborn child and also harm to the baby whilst breastfeeding.  Due to this, it is recommended to not use any level of methamphetamine during pregnancy and whilst breastfeeding. 

Legal Implications

Methamphetamine is a Class A drug.  The maximum penalty for importation/ manufacture/supply is life imprisonment and for possession 6 months jail and/or $1000 fine.

It is illegal to drive a motor vehicle while under the influence of any drug, including methamphetamine.  Breaking this law carries heavy penalties including disqualification from driving, fines and even imprisonment.  It is advised that you do not drive after the consumption of any mood altering substance.  You could put your own and other people’s lives at serious risk. 

For more information on methamphetamine

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