What Is Methamphetamines(meth, crystal meth, crank)?

Methamphetamines (more commonly known by their street name, “meth,” “crystal meth,” and “crank”) is a powerful and addictive stimulant that can be smoked, snorted, eaten, or injected. Due to the psychoactive properties, false confidence, and sense of happiness, people who try methamphetamine quickly develop a desire to continue using. Some users state that they were hooked on meth after they try it once. While initially pleasurable, methamphetamine can destroy a person’s life by burning up the body’s resources and leaving the user with a dependence that is only relieved by using more of the drug.

Methamphetamine is the child of a drug class called amphetamines, both stimulants that can provide users with increased energy, intense desire to chat, and an overall sense of happiness. However, methamphetamines are different than amphetamines because much higher amounts of methamphetamines are able to reach the brain which increases the potency. Meth also gives users a longer and more sustained high which leads to damage to the central nervous system.

Medically, methamphetamine is a Schedule II stimulant with a high potential for abuse. Medical methamphetamine is used to treat narcolepsy and ADHD. Medical methamphetamine is prescribed at a far lower dose than the street version.

Illegal or street methamphetamine is often produced in makeshift laboratories by using over-the-counter, readily-available inexpensive materials. Over-the-counter cold remedies are usually used as a base and are then combined with chemicals like battery acid, drain cleaner, ammonia, and antifreeze. These chemicals are particularly dangerous and many who manufacture methamphetamines are burned or killed during production.

Like cocaine, methamphetamines are produced in two forms: a white powder or clear chunks of rocks. The rock form, crystal meth, is the most pure and potent form of methamphetamine. Crystal meth is commonly used as a “club drug” at raves and nightclubs and is often called “glass” or “ice.” Methamphetamines are often used in a binge and crash manner. This cycle can cause the user to be up for days smoking, snorting, or injecting the drug before crashing from the euphoric feelings. By the time the methamphetamine binge is over, the person has not eaten or slept in days.

The euphoric high experienced by methamphetamine users is caused by a surge of dopamine released into the brain. Over time methamphetamine use destroys dopamine receptors within the brain. This means that a chronic long-term methamphetamine user will not be able to feel pleasure without the use of methamphetamine. Research suggests that these pleasure centers can heal over time, however, the damage to the cognitive abilities of the user may be permanent.

Effects of meth addiction

As a parent who is addicted to methamphetamines:

• Child neglect
• Child abuse – both physical and sexual abuse
• Child endangerment, especially if cooking methamphetamines at home

Other effects:

• Depression
• Sexually transmitted diseases like HIV/AIDS
• Liver damage
• Lung damage
• Brain damage
• Kidney disease
• Cirrhosis
• Psychosis
• Legal consequences of risky behaviors
• Poor interpersonal relationships
• Unemployment
• Domestic violence
• Stroke
• Heart attack
• Seizures
• Death