Methamphetamines fire up the central nervous system (made up of the brain and spinal cord). They cause dopamine levels to rise and this increase regulates the “pleasure receptors”. The effects that crystal meth and its relative forms produce, imitate the body’s natural chemical system. The altered chemicals change the users’ behavior and put them at risk for social, emotional, physical and psychological problems among others.
 
The Drug
Methamphetamine is a white, odorless, bitter-tasting powder. The crystalline matter dissolves in water and alcohol. In its purest form, methamphetamine hydrochloride is smokeable. The common names for this form are “L.A.” or “crystal” and “ice” due to the clear, chunky, crystals, hence the term crystal meth.

Methods of Use
Methamphetamine can be injected intravenously (into your veins), ingested (pill form), snorted intranasally (through your nose), or smoked. Some will put the drug on paper or in a drink – this is called “eating” it. Injection increases a person’s chance of contracting HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B and C, liver, lung, kidney, heart and cardiovascular diseases. It also causes a drastic increase in blood pressure which can lead to high fever, stroke, and heart failure. A speed “run” can last for days or weeks. The person will continuously use meth with no rest of food.

Profile of a Typical User

• High school or college students
• Caucasian, blue-collar workers
• Unemployed people in their 20s and 30s
• Male or female
• Urban and rural residents
• The use by Native American and Hispanic individuals is on the rise

Cost Factor
Crystal meth is cheap, easy to get, and even make. Since you can find the ingredients in over-the-counter medications and chemicals, people will have makeshift labs in their homes. With a few hundred bucks and the recipe, people make crystal and teach others as well.

Buying it on the street, the price varies. Depending on how pure it is, a ¼ gram is $25, one gram is roughly $100, and an ounce (equal to about 110 hits) costs around $1700.

Why Crystal Meth?

• It is easy to get
• The “high” is long lasting
• The drug is cheaper than cocaine and heroin
• Women used methamphetamines to lose weight
• “Ravers” take meth to feel more energized at parties or social events
• Blue-collar and service workers use meth so they can work longer shifts
• Athletes and students use it to improve physical and mental performance
• There is a misconception that it is safe; some believe it’s not really a drug

The Addictive Nature of Crystal
Crystal gives an initial pleasurable feeling followed by a “crash”. That amazing, and even euphoric feeling gets embedded in the memory. Since, users never get the initial feeling they remember so well, they must increase their dose each time; this changes the brain chemistry. The natural ability to produce adrenaline gets suppressed. When the user comes down from the “high”, the chemical imbalance causes the person to need the drug in order to stop feeling depressed and irriatable. They remember exactly what gave them that pleasurable feeling and can no longer be satisfied without it. This pleasure/tension cycle gets the person hooked.

How the user feels
The person may be agitated and irritable; euphoric and exhilarated; a sense of well-being and riding high. The body appears to be satisfied until the drug wears off. Then fatigue and depression set in and the body craves meth in order to restore that elated feeling.

Warning Signs of Meth Use… 

…aggression or violent behavior
…anxiousness; nervousness
…bouts of insomnia
 …compulsive cleaning/grooming
…confusion
…dilated pupils
…extreme moodiness and irritability
…false sense of confidence and power
…incessant, yet impaired chatter
…repetitious and purposeless behavior (picking skin or pulling hair)
…sorting or disassembling objects for no reason
…severe depression

Social Impact
The interest of a crystal meth addict in people, places and activities that they used to enjoy diminishes as their dependence on the drug intensifies. Their interest in anything or anyone related to crystal meth, however, increases. A person will likely have difficulties at school or on the job, and possibly run into financial and legal problems as well.

Medical Use
Methamphetamines were originally used in nasal decongestants, bronchial inhalers, and for the treatment of narcolepsy or obesity. In the 1970s, meth became a schedule II drug meaning that medical professionals saw little medicinal value, but a high risk for abuse problems.