Methamphetamine

What is methamphetamine?

Methamphetamine, commonly referred to as meth, is a powerful, highly addictive substance that affects the brain and body. It falls in the category of drugs known as stimulants. Methamphetamine is commonly sold in crystal or powder form. It can be injected, smoked, snorted, or taken orally.

Methamphetamine, commonly referred to as meth, is a powerful, highly addictive substance that affects the brain and body. It falls in the category of drugs known as stimulants. Methamphetamine is commonly sold in crystal or powder form. It can be injected, smoked, snorted, or taken orally.

Methamphetamine is sometimes mixed with other substances. These other substances include cannabis, opioids such as heroin or fentanyl, cocaine, and ecstasy.

How does meth impact the user?

Methamphetamine affects your brain. Methamphetamine causes changes in the brain circuits that control reward, stress, decision-making, and impulse control, making it more and more difficult to stop using even when it is having negative effects on your life and health. Frequent use also can lead to tolerance and withdrawal. Additional effects of using methamphetamine can include anxiety and depression, chronic fatigue, paranoid or delusional thinking, and serious psychological issues.

Methamphetamine affects your body. Methamphetamine use increases heart rate, blood pressure, and risk of stroke. Other negative consequences of long-term methamphetamine use are extreme weight loss, severe dental problems, and skin sores caused by scratching. Methamphetamine use affects the levels of dopamine in your brain and can impact movement, motivation, emotions, and feelings of pleasure. Meth use can lead to depression.

Methamphetamine affects your self-control. Methamphetamine can cause aggression, violent behavior, and loss of contact with reality.

Methamphetamine affects more than the user. Meth impacts the user’s family and friends. Children found in meth labs may experience emotional, behavioral, and cognitive problems. The chemicals used to produce meth can cause fires and explosions, produce toxic vapors, and damage the environment.

What are signs of use?

It is not easy to tell if someone is using methamphetamine, but symptoms may include:

• Inability to sleep or unusual sleep patterns.
  
• Psychotic behaviors such as paranoia and hallucinations.
  
• Mood swings or increased aggression.
  
• Nervous obsessive activities, such as scratching.
  
• Irritability, anxiety, or confusion.
  
• Extreme weight loss.
  
• Changes in physical appearance, including deteriorating skin and teeth.

The impact of meth is REAL!

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