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What is crystal methamphetamine?

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Crystal methamphetamine, often referred to as crystal meth or by various street names, is a highly addictive illicit drug with no medical use. Typically smoked or injected, it induces an intense and prolonged high but poses severe health risks, including heart problems, brain damage, and potentially fatal overdoses. Despite efforts to curb its use, both illicit and prescription methamphetamine misuse is on the rise, fueling a concerning trend of overdose deaths, particularly among young males. Understanding the dangers of crystal meth is essential in combating its destructive impact.

"Methamphetamine is FDA approved for the treatment of ADHD and exogenous obesity. * It is dispensed in the USA under the trademark name "Desoxyn"[17] and manufactured by Ovation Pharmaceuticals."

"Crystal meth, also called Blade, Crank, Hot Ice, Tina, and Trash, belongs to a large class of Schedule II drugs called methamphetamines. While some methamphetamines have therapeutic value and are prescribed for a variety of reasons such as weight loss, narcolepsy, and ADHD, crystal meth is produced in illegal meth labs and is an illicit drug."

"Crystal methamphetamine typically is smoked using glass pipes similar to pipes used to smoke crack cocaine. Crystal methamphetamine also may be injected. A user who smokes or injects the drug immediately experiences an intense sensation followed by a high that may last 12 hours or more."

"Crystal methamphetamine use is associated with numerous serious physical problems. The drug can cause rapid heart rate, increased blood pressure, and damage to the small blood vessels in the brain—which can lead to stroke. Chronic use of the drug can result in inflammation of the heart lining. Overdoses can cause hyperthermia (elevated body temperature), convulsions, and death."

Prescription Meth: Medical Vs. Illicit Meth Use

“We looked at trends from 1999 to 2021 and we saw this staggering increase in methamphetamine mortality accompanied by a proportional increase in those deaths that also involved heroin or fentanyl,” said Rachel Hoopsick, a University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign professor of kinesiology and community health who led the research.
 

* Crystal methamphetamine is a type of methamphetamine that is produced in illegal meth labs and is an illicit drug.
* It is also known as Blade, Crank, Hot Ice, Tina, and Trash.
* While some methamphetamines have therapeutic value and are prescribed for a variety of reasons such as weight loss, narcolepsy, and ADHD, crystal meth is not prescribed for any medical use.

*Use of Crystal Methamphetamine*
* Crystal methamphetamine is typically smoked using glass pipes similar to pipes used to smoke crack cocaine.
* It can also be injected.
* Users who smoke or inject the drug immediately experience an intense sensation followed by a high that may last 12 hours or more.

*Physical Problems Associated with Crystal Methamphetamine Use*
* The drug can cause rapid heart rate, increased blood pressure, and damage to the small blood vessels in the brain—which can lead to stroke.
* Chronic use of the drug can result in inflammation of the heart lining.
* Overdoses can cause hyperthermia (elevated body temperature), convulsions, and death.

*Prescription Meth vs. Illicit Meth Use*
* The use of prescription methamphetamine has been increasing in recent years, particularly among individuals who are also using heroin or fentanyl.
* A study found that between 1999 and 2021, there was a staggering increase in methamphetamine mortality accompanied by a proportional increase in those deaths that also involved heroin or fentanyl.

*Statistics*
* According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), in 2020, an estimated 1.6 million people in the United States had used methamphetamine at least once in the past year.
* The same study found that methamphetamine use has been increasing steadily since 2007, with a particularly sharp increase between 2013 and 2018. (Schizophrenia)

*Trends*
* According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), from 2015 to 2019, there was a significant increase in methamphetamine-related overdose deaths among adults aged 25-39 years.
* The same study found that the majority of methamphetamine-related overdose deaths were among males.

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