Methamphetamine Use

What is methamphetamine?

Methamphetamine is a psychostimulant or “upper.” It increases activity of the central nervous system, and causes feelings of heightened pleasure and alertness. Methamphetamine causes similar effects to cocaine but produces a much longer high. The effects of methamphetamine usually last between 8-24 hours.

Individuals often use methamphetamine experimentally, in certain situations (e.g., stay awake, when partying) or on an occasional basis. The majority of people who use methamphetamine do not use it regularly and do not become addicted.

What other terms are used to describe methamphetamine?

Methamphetamine comes in different forms; the most popular of which is crystal meth. Other names for methamphetamine include: crystal, Tina, T, glass, tweak, crank, ice, and jib.

How is methamphetamine made? What does it look like?

Ephedrine or pseudoephedrine, which is often found in cough medicine, is the main ingredient used to make methamphetamine. Other ingredients, such as anhydrous ammonia (found in fertilizer), red phosphorus (found in matchboxes), and lithium (found in batteries) are used in the processing of methamphetamine but are not found in the final product. It is illegal to produce, use and sell methamphetamine in Canada.

Methamphetamine can look quite different depending on the purity and form of the substance. Crystal shards (i.e., crystal meth), for example, tend to be cleaner or purer than powders. The difference in form (e.g., ice, shard or powder) is due to the difference in crystal formation. These forms of methamphetamine are not chemically different; methamphetamine molecules are methamphetamine molecules. Methamphetamine can also come in pill form.

How do people use methamphetamine?

People use methamphetamine in a variety of ways. These include injecting, smoking, hot railing, ingesting (i.e., swallowing, parachuting or drinking) and inserting.

Injecting or smoking methamphetamine offers the most intense high; effects are experienced in less than one minute and are experienced for three to seven hours. Snorting or inserting methamphetamine offers a high within 5 to 10 minutes that lasts 4-10 hours. Swallowing offers the least intense high, which lasts 5-12 hours.

How does methamphetamine cause people to experience a high? How does methamphetamine produce an effect the body?

To learn more about the chemical reactions that take place from methamphetamine use and how it affects the brain, watch a video animation here.

What does the cycle of methamphetamine use look like?

Depending on the mode of use, individuals who use methamphetamine can experience a high that lasts from 3-12 hours. The high is often followed by bingeing, which can last for days. Bingeing occurs when an individual continues to use methamphetamine. Individuals will binge on methamphetamine to avoid withdrawal symptoms. This creates a vicious cycle whereby individuals continue to use to feel better. Overtime people can build up a tolerance to methamphetamine. This causes individuals to take more of the substance to experience a high.

Once an individual stops taking methamphetamine they go through a stage called tweaking where methamphetamine no longer provides a rush or high. This can last for several hours or even days, and is often a difficult phase to go through. During this phase, individuals can experience anxiety, sleeplessness, irritability, aggression, strong cravings, feelings of emptiness, paranoia and/or hallucinations.

A crash follows the tweaking stage. After individuals who use methamphetamine crash, they then go through withdrawal, and finally recovery. During the crash phase, an individual’s body shuts down and is unable to cope with the substance’s effects. This often results in long periods of sleep for the individual. An individual in withdrawal might become depressed, lose energy and/or lose the ability to experience pleasure. They can even become suicidal. Methamphetamine withdrawal is painful and difficult to go through.

What are the short-term effects of methamphetamine use on the body?

There are many short-term effects of methamphetamine on the body, majority of which relate to the “fight or flight” response. These include:

• Headaches and/or dizziness
• Increased heart rate, blood pressure and/or pulse as well as an abnormal heart rate
• Heart attack, stroke and/or seizures
• Increased body temperature and/or sweating, which can lead to an increased chance of heat stroke
• Increased physical and/or mental alertness or energy, which can lead to exhaustion
• Mood swings, confusion and/or impaired judgement
• Euphoria and/or feelings of happiness
• Increased self-confidence and/or sociability
• Paranoia, psychosis and/or hallucinations
• Twitching muscles
• Decreased appetite, thirst and/or sleep, which can lead to exhaustion
• Enlarged pupils
• Increased risk of infections, such as hepatitis C and HIV, from sharing substance use equipment
• Sexual changes, such as erectile difficulties, increased libido, sexual confidence and/or increased in arousal
• Increased risky sexual behaviours, such as no condom use, rougher sex and/or not using lubricant – actions that may result in injury and/or higher risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as HIV and hepatitis C
• Risk to pregnancy, which can include poor fetal growth, fetal distress, fetal neurological problems and/or pre-term birth
• Dry mouth as well as jaw grinding and/or clenching. Learn more about why and how methamphetamine effects oral health here

What are the long-term effects of methamphetamine use on the body?

Long-term effects of methamphetamine use include:

• Prolonged depression
• Strains on organs – particularly the heart
• Weight loss
• Skin lesions, which result from picking
• Mouth and/or gum issues
• Damage to blood vessels leading to brain damage and/or coma
• Structural changes in the brain, which result in impaired verbal learning, movement and/or thinking. These impairments can lead to memory loss and/or shaking, and are permanent in some cases but can be reversed in others

What are the signs and symptoms of a methamphetamine overdose?

Overdosing from methamphetamine is rare but someone can overdose on methamphetamine when they use too much of it. Signs of a methamphetamine overdose can include:

• Red face
• Rapid and/or irregular heartbeat
• Heavy sweating
• Rapid breathing and/or laboured breathing
• Rapid eye movement
• Aggression
• Hallucinations
• Fever
• Shaking
• Heart attack
• Seizures and/or psychosis

Although you can die from a methamphetamine overdose, it is unlikely. The odds of recovery from a methamphetamine overdose depend on how much of the substance the individual took, and how quickly they receive treatment. A methamphetamine overdose often leads to stroke, heart attack and/or organ problems. Treating a methamphetamine overdose includes treating these conditions in order to restore blood flow to the affected part(s) of the body as well as treating the organ(s) affected.

What should I do if I witness someone overdosing on methamphetamine?

If someone is overdosing from methamphetamine, you should do the following:

• Call 9-1-1 or take the individual to the hospital
• If 9-1-1 is called, provide the operator with as much information as possible (e.g., weight, age and sex of the individual overdosing, substance(s) used)
• Keep the individual who is overdosing calm. Keep them away from light and noise, when possible
• Encourage the individual who is overdosing to hydrate
• Have the person who is overdosing breathe slowly and deeply. Count breaths with them

What should I do if someone is having a seizure from methamphetamine use?

If someone is having a seizure from methamphetamine use, support and protect the individual’s head, and tilt their head to one side to prevent choking in case they vomit. Do not attempt to move the arms and legs of the person who is overdosing, and do not put anything in their mouth.

What should I do if someone is having a negative reaction from methamphetamine use?

If someone is having a negative reaction from using methamphetamine (e.g., psychosis, hallucination and/or paranoia), you can do the following:

• Slowly and calmly, approach the individual who is experiencing the negative reaction. Stand to their side and ask their name
• Speak clearly and use simple words when communicating with the individual who is having a negative reaction
• Tell the individual who is having a negative reaction that they are experiencing psychosis, a hallucination and/or paranoia, when applicable
• Stay with the individual who is having a negative reaction. Validate and empathize with their experience
• Ask the individual who is experiencing the negative reaction if there is anything you can do to help them (e.g., provide distractions)
• Create calm surroundings for the individual who is having a negative reaction by reducing noise, bright light and people present
• Call 9-1-1 if you require more support and/or are concerned about the safety of the individual who is having a negative reaction

What types of harm reduction tips or suggestions can I share with someone who is using methamphetamine?

Harm reduction tips and/or suggestions you can share with an individual who is using methamphetamine include:

• Do not share substance use equipment, such as needles, cookers and filters. If sharing pipes, each individual should use their own mouthpiece
• Have a stock of safer substance use equipment, on hand, before using methamphetamine
• Clean surfaces with BZK or alcohol disinfectant wipes before preparing substances
• Wash hands with soap and water, a BZK disinfectant wipe or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer before using
• Take breaks from methamphetamine use to give the mind and body a rest
• Reduce the amount of methamphetamine used, when possible
• Avoid mixing methamphetamine with other substances
• Dispose of needles and glass pipes safely in a hard-sided puncture-proof container, such as a biohazard container or pop bottle
• Try switching from injecting to snorting or swallowing
• Always carry, and use condoms

What other tips or suggestions can I share with someone who is using methamphetamine?

Maintaining good health is important for everyone. Additional tips and/or suggestions you can share with individuals using methamphetamine to promote well-being and good health include:

• Take warm baths to help relax and sleep
• Drink at least eight glasses of water a day
• Maintain proper and healthy nutrition (i.e., eating from the four food groups)
• Take vitamins and minerals
• Maintain good oral health practices, such as brushing and flossing teeth, using mouthwash, and visiting the dentist
• Talk to a counsellor and/or a friend for support. Keep in touch with friends
• Try to budget for food, rent and bills before spending money on substances
• Plan and limit the amount of substance bought at a time
• Do not buy substances on credit
• Avoid dealing methamphetamine and other substances
• Allow time to come down from a methamphetamine high
• Ensure the phone number of legal aid is easily accessible – know your legal rights
• Do not drive while using methamphetamine
• If using methamphetamine, try to have at least one individual around who is not using to provide support, if needed

I want to learn more about methamphetamine. What resources do you recommend?

Check out the following resources for more information on methamphetamine:

• A User’s Guide to Methamphetamine: A Self-help Guide to Reduce Harm Reduction for People who Use Methamphetamine [guidance document] – Wellington Guelph Drug Strategy and Waterloo Region Integrated Drugs Strategy
• Methamphetamine [fact sheet] – Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction
• Methamphetamine and Its Impact on Dental Care [journal article] – Journal of the Canadian Dental Association
• Methamphetamine in Canada [infographic] – Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction
• Part 1: Methamphetamine: The Basics [webinar] – Ontario Harm Reduction Network
• Part 2: Methamphetamine: Working with and Supporting People Who Use [webinar] – Ontario Harm Reduction Network
• Straight Talk – Methamphetamines [website] – The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
• Tips for Preventing Crystal Meth Overdoses [brochure] – CATIE
• Tips for Preventing Overdoses from Uppers [brochure] – CATIE
• What You Need to Know About: Methamphetamine [infographic] – Waterloo Region Integrated Drugs Strategy and University of Waterloo