?

Q&A
Q. WHAT DOES METH LOOK LIKE?

METHAMPHETAMINE A. Methamphetamine is a white, odorless,

bitter-tasting, crystalline powder that
dissolves easily in water or alcohol.13 It can
be made from ingredients that are used in
THE TRUTH ABOUT METHAMPHETAMINE (METH)1 products such as batteries, drain cleaner,
fertilizer, nail polish remover, and paint
thinner.14

SLANG: METH/SPEED/CRYSTAL/CRANK/
CHALK/TINA/TWEAK/GO-FAST/ICE/ Q. WHAT IS THE “CRASH” EFFECT OF
GLASS/UPPERS USING METH?

A.
GET THE FACTS
Using meth causes the brain to release a
chemical called dopamine, which gives the
user a feeling of pleasure. However, once
the drug is no longer in the user’s system,
METHAMPHETAMINE AFFECTS YOUR BRAIN. Meth causes changes in the brain this pleasurable sensation can be followed
circuits that control reward, stress, decision-making, and impulse control, making by unpleasant feelings of drug withdrawal,
it more and more difficult to stop using even when it is having negative effects on sometimes called a “crash.”15 These feelings
your life and health. Frequent use also can lead to tolerance and withdrawal, so can include depression, anxiety, fatigue, and
you need more of the drug just to feel normal. Additional effects of using meth can intense craving for more of the drug.16 The
include anxiety and depression, chronic fatigue, paranoid or delusional thinking, “crash” often leads a person to use more
and serious psychological illness.2,3 meth to avoid these uncomfortable physical
and psychological effects.17
METHAMPHETAMINE AFFECTS YOUR BODY. Using meth increases heart rate,
blood pressure, and risk of stroke. Other negative consequences of long-term
meth use are extreme weight loss, severe dental problems (“meth mouth”), and
skin sores caused by scratching.4 Meth use affects the levels of dopamine in your THE BOTTOM LINE:
brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that affects, among other things, movement, Methamphetamine (meth) is illegal, addictive, and
motivation, emotions, and feelings of pleasure.5 Because meth causes a flood of dangerous. Talk to your parents, a doctor, a counselor, a
dopamine to the brain, the natural supply gets depleted. As a result, activities that teacher, or another adult you trust if you have questions.
would normally increase dopamine and, therefore, pleasure (such as listening
to music or eating a delicious meal) may no longer do so, which can lead to LEARN MORE:
depression.6 Get the latest information on how drugs affect the brain
and body at teens.drugabuse.gov.
METHAMPHETAMINE AFFECTS YOUR SELF-CONTROL. Meth is an addictive drug
that can cause aggression, violent behavior, and psychosis (loss of contact with TO LEARN MORE ABOUT
reality). 7,8 METHAMPHETAMINE, CONTACT:
SAMHSA
METHAMPHETAMINE IS NOT ALWAYS WHAT IT SEEMS. As much as 60 percent 1–877–SAMHSA–7 (1–877–726–4727)
of what a person injects, snorts, or smokes is not meth. Powder sold as meth may (English and Español)
contain many other substances, including lead acetate or mercury, both of which
are toxins that can lead to poisoning.9,10 TTY 1–800–487–4889
www.samhsa.gov
METHAMPHETAMINE CAN KILL YOU. High doses can cause the body to overheat
store.samhsa.gov
to dangerous levels. Death can result from stroke, heart attack, or multiple organ
problems caused by overheating.11
METHAMPHETAMINE ADDICTION IS TREATABLE. Behavioral treatments can help
someone stop using methamphetamine and recover from addiction.12
 BEFORE YOU RISK IT!
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP
1 SOMEONE WHO IS USING METH?
KNOW THE LAW. Methamphetamine is illegal in all states.18
BE A FRIEND. SAVE A LIFE.
2 Encourage your friend to stop using or seek help
from a parent, teacher, or other caring adult.
GET THE FACTS. The ignitable, corrosive, and toxic nature of
the chemicals used to produce meth can cause fires, produce For 24/7 free and confidential information and
toxic vapors, and damage the environment.19 treatment referrals in English and Spanish,
3 call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at:

KNOW THE RISKS. There are a lot of risks associated with 1–800–662–HELP (1–800–662–4357)
using methamphetamine, including:20,21 or visit the SAMHSA Behavioral Health
• Meth use can cause a “crash” after the effects wear off. Treatment Services Locator at
• Meth use can cause long-lasting damage to the brain. findtreatment.samhsa.gov
• Meth users who inject the drugs and share needles are at
risk for acquiring HIV and hepatitis.

4 1,11
U.S. Department of Justice and Drug Enforcement Administration. (2015). Drugs of abuse: A
LOOK AROUND YOU. Not everyone is using DEA resource guide. Retrieved from https://www.dea.gov/pr/multimedia-library/publications/
methamphetamine. In 2015, less than 1 percent of drug_of_abuse.pdf
adolescents ages 12 to 17 reported currently 2,4,16,20
National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2013). Research report series: Methamphetamine. (NIH
using methamphetamine.22 Publication Number 13-4210). Retrieved from http://www.drugabuse.gov/sites/default/files/
methrrs.pdf
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2006). Opioids and club drugs
3,19

slides. Matrix Intensive Outpatient Treatment for People with Stimulant Use Disorders: Counselor’s
Family Education Manual. Retrieved from http://store.samhsa.gov/product/Matrix-Intensive-
Outpatient-Treatment-for-People-with-Stimulant-Use-Disorders-Counselor-s-Family-Education-

KNOW THE SIGNS Manual-w-CD/SMA13-4153

5
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). (2009). Word of the day: Dopamine. NIDA for Teens.
Retrieved from https://teens.drugabuse.gov/blog/post/word-day-dopamine
6,18,21,24
National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2014). Drug facts: Methamphetamine (meth). NIDA for
How can you tell if a friend is using meth? It may not be easy to Teens. Retrieved from http://teens.drugabuse.gov/drug-facts/methamphetamine-meth
tell, but symptoms of methamphetamine use may include:23,24 7
National Institute on Drug Abuse. (n.d.). Commonly abused drug charts. Retrieved from http://
• Inability to sleep or unusual sleep patterns www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/commonly-abused-drugs/health-effects#meth
• Psychotic behaviors such as paranoia and hallucinations 8
The Meth Project Foundation. (n.d.). What is meth-induced psychosis? The Meth Project.
Retrieved from http://www.methproject.org/answers/what-is-meth-induced-psychosis.
• Mood swings or increased aggression html#Psychotic-Behavior
• Nervous obsessive activities, such as scratching 9
Fries, A., Anthony, R. W., Cseko, A., Gaither, C. C., & Shulman, E. (2008). The price and purity of
• Irritability, anxiety, or confusion iIIicit drugs: 1981–2007. Alexandria, VA: Institute for Defense Analyses. Retrieved from https://www.
• Extreme anorexia documentcloud.org/documents/275358-the-price-and-purity-of-illicit-drugs-1981-2007.html
• Changes in physical appearance, including deteriorating skin 10
Poulsen, E. J., Mannis, M. J., & Chang, S. D. (1996). Keratitis in methamphetamine abusers. Cornea
15, 77–82.
and teeth
• Presence of injecting paraphernalia, such as syringes, burnt
12
National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2013). What treatments are effective for people who abuse
methamphetamine? Research report series: Methamphetamine. Retrieved from https://www.
spoons, or surgical tubing drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/methamphetamine/what-treatments-are-effective-
methamphetamine-abusers
13
National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2017). Drug facts: Methamphetamine. Retrieved from
MORE INFORMATION http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/methamphetamine
14
The Meth Project Foundation. (n.d.). What’s in meth. The Meth Project. Retrieved from
http://www.methproject.org/answers/whats-meth-made-of.html#Whats-in-Meth
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR FOR RESOURCES USED IN THIS 15,17
National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2006). The brain’s response to methamphetamines.
“TIPS for TEENS,” visit store.samhsa.gov or call NIDA for Teens. Retrieved from https://teens.drugabuse.gov/teachers/mind-over-matter/
methamphetamine
1–877–SAMHSA–7 (1–877–726–4727) 22
Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. (2016). Key substance use and mental health
(English and Español). indicators in the United States: Results from the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
(HHS Publication No. SMA 16-4984, NSDUH Series H-51). Retrieved from http://www.samhsa.gov/
PEP NO. 18-03 REVISED 2018
data/sites/default/files/NSDUH-FFR1-2015/NSDUH-FFR1-2015/NSDUH-FFR1-2015.htm
23
The Meth Project Foundation. (n.d.). How can I tell if someone is using meth? The Meth Project.
SAMHSA complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the Retrieved from http://www.methproject.org/answers/how-can-i-tell-if-someone-is-using-meth.
basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. html#Signs-of-Use
SAMHSA cumple con las leyes federales de derechos civiles aplicables y no discrimina por
motivos de raza, color, nacionalidad, edad, discapacidad o sexo.