Community-Coalition On Drug Awareness



National Institue on Drug Abuse 

Drug Facts:  Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine (also called meth, crystal, chalk, and ice, among other terms) is an extremely addictive stimulant drug that is chemically similar to amphetamine. It takes the form of a white, odorless, bitter-tasting crystalline powder.

Methamphetamine is taken orally, smoked, snorted, or dissolved in water or alcohol and injected. Smoking or injecting the drug delivers it very quickly to the brain, where it produces an immediate, intense euphoria. Because the pleasure also fades quickly, users often take repeated doses, in a “binge and crash” pattern.

Meth's devastating effects: Before and after 

Rehabs.com, a nationwide directory of rehabilitation centers, compiled mug shots of methamphetamine addicts to show how the progression of drug abuse impacted their looks over a relatively short period of time.

Side effects of using meth include paranoia, hallucinations and repetitive behavior, according to the Partnership for a Drug Free America.

People can also have delusions of parasites or insects crawling under the skin which leads them to scratch themselves. Long-term use of meth, high dosages, or both can cause psychosis and paranoia.

In some cases, it can even lead to stroke and death.