Methamphetamine

Street Names

Speed, meth, chalk, ice, crystal, glass

Brief Description

Methamphetamine is a very addictive stimulant drug that activates certain systems in the brain. It has a very high potential for abuse. It is chemically related to amphetamine but the effects of methamphetamine are much more potent, longer lasting, and more harmful to the central nervous system. It can be made in small, illegal laboratories, where its production endangers the people in the labs, neighbors, and the environment. Methamphetamine is taken orally, intranasally (snorting the powder), by needle injection, or by smoking. Abusers may become addicted quickly, needing higher doses and more often.

Effects

Even small amounts of methamphetamine can result in increased wakefulness, increased physical activity, decreased appetite, increased respiration, rapid heart rate, irregular heartbeat, increased blood pressure, and hyperthermia. Other effects of methamphetamine abuse may include irritability, anxiety, insomnia, confusion, tremors, convulsions, and cardiovascular collapse and death. Long-term effects may include paranoia, aggressiveness, extreme anorexia, memory loss, visual and auditory hallucinations, delusions, and severe dental problems.

Chronic methamphetamine abuse significantly changes how the brain functions. chronic methamphetamine abusers have structural and functional changes in areas of the brain associated with emotion and memory. There is reduced motor speed and impaired verbal learning.

Other hazards of use

Also, transmission of HIV and hepatitis B and C can be a consequence of methamphetamine abuse. Among
abusers who inject the drug, infection with HIV and other infectious diseases is spread mainly through the re-use of contaminated syringes, needles, and other injection equipment by more than one person. The intoxicating effects of methamphetamine, can alter judgment and inhibition and lead people to engage in unsafe sexual behaviors.