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Crystal Methylamphetamine – ‘Ice’

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Street Names
Ice, meth, crystal meth, crystal, glass and velocity
Dangers

Psychosis
Using ice can cause a brief psychotic reaction in some users. Known as methamphetamine psychosis, it is one of the most severe consequences of ice use. Everyone is at risk of developing psychosis if they use ice.

During a psychosis, individuals can experience visual, auditory and tactile (touch) hallucinations. A user may also lose touch with reality becoming paranoid and suspicious and experiencing symptoms of grandiosity or feelings of invincibility. There is a risk of serious outbursts of aggression during psychosis, partly due to users misinterpreting events happening around them.

‘Ice’ is a common street name in Australia for the highly purified crystalline form of methylamphetamine. Methylamphetamine (widely known as methamphetamine or ‘meth’), is a powerful, addictive man-made stimulant drug. Stimulants speed up messages going to and from the brain.

Potency

Ice is different from other forms of methamphetamine such as powder (or ‘speed’) only in terms of its purity. Otherwise it is the same drug. Ice is highly potent - being about eighty percent pure while other forms of meth available in Australia are typically only ten to twenty percent pure.
Ice users get a greater dose of methamphetamine in one go which produces a stronger high that also lasts longer. The side effects from using ice are also stronger and can include increased agitation and worse come-downs than other less potent forms of meth. Ice is also very addictive.

Appearance

Ice is consistently described as large, translucent to white crystals or a coarse crystalline powder. Ice may also appear as large, transparent and 'sheet-like' crystals that may have a hint of pink, blue or green colour.

Ice & your brain

Broadly speaking, methamphetamine operates directly on the brain and spinal cord by stimulating the release of various neurotransmitters (dopamine and noradrenaline). Neurotransmitters are chemical substances naturally produced within nerve cells. These chemicals are responsible for making us feel excited, alert and euphoric. Dopamine in particular plays an important role in the regulation of pleasure.
The pleasure-seeking behaviour that is associated with the release of high levels of dopamine is what makes ice so addictive.

Effects

Methamphetamine produces a response in the body similar to that of adrenalin. Meth boosts central nervous system activity, leading to increases in physical activity, heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. It also decreases appetite and reduces the need for sleep.

Short - Term Effects
Soon after taking ice, a person may experience a number of symptoms including:

  • feelings of euphoria, excitement and well-being;
  • increased alertness, confidence and libido;
  • more energy, feelings of increased strength;
  • talkativeness and restlessness;
  • tremors of the hands and fingers;
  • increased breathing rate, body temperature, blood pressure and heart rate,
  • difficulty sleeping;
  • reduced appetite, dilated pupils, dry mouth, stomach cramps, nausea, dizziness, blurred vision and severe headaches;
  • nervousness, panic attacks, anxiety, paranoia;
  • irritability and aggression.

Long - Term Effects
Issues associated with the ongoing use of ice include:

  • poor eating habits leading to general poor health;
  • increased risk taking behaviour;
  • mental health problems;
  • high blood pressure and increased risk of heart-related complications such as chest pain, irregular heart beat, heart attack and heart failure;
  • increased risk of stroke compared to people who do not use drugs;
  • kidney damage and failure;
  • chronic sleeping problems;
  • reduced immunity and increased susceptibility to infections due to not sleeping or eating properly;
  • exhaustion from excessive physical activity;
  • depression, anxiety, and paranoia;
  • psychosis.


How long does it last?

When ice is smoked, onset and effects occur within 3 - 5 minutes. When ice is injected, onset and effects are almost instantaneous. The effects of ice can last between 6 and 24 hours.

Overdose

Overdose or toxicity occurs when there are dangerous (poisonous) levels of the ice in the body. This can lead to a range of behaviours such as escalating psychosis, aggression and violence. Methamphetamine toxicity is a potentially lethal condition and creates a medical emergency.

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