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Who's Really Using Meth?

0.2% of 8th graders, 0.3% of 10th graders, and 0.5% of 12th graders reported using methamphetamine in the past 12 months (2022 report).

0.9% of people aged 12 and older reported using methamphetamine in the past 12 months (2021 report)

What is Meth?

Methamphetamine (meth) is a powerful, highly addictive, stimulant that affects the central nervous system. It takes the form of a white, odorless, bitter-tasting, crystalline powder that dissolves easily in water or alcohol.

Methamphetamine was developed early in the 20th century from its parent drug, amphetamine, and was used originally in nasal decongestants and bronchial inhalers. Like amphetamine, methamphetamine causes increased activity and talkativeness, decreased appetite, and a pleasurable sense of well-being or euphoria.

Common Forms

White or yellowish powder
Crystals
Pills
Liquid

Powders

Crystals

Pills

Liquid

How is Meth Consumed?

Snorted
Injected
Swallowed
Smoked

Snorted

Injected

Swallowed

Smoked

The High

What it Feels Like

Meth travels into your brain, specifically to the reward center where dopamine is stored. One hit of meth releases approximately 1200 units of dopamine, six times the maximum quantity that the body releases on its own.

What is Meth Made of?

Acetone (nail polish remover)
Lithium (batteries)
Toluene (brake fluid)
Hydrochloric Acid (ingredient in plastic)
Pseudoephedrine (cold medicine)
Red Phosphorus (match boxes, road flares)

Sodium Hydroxide (lye)
Sulfuric Acid (toilet bowl cleaner)
Anhydrous Ammonia (fertilizer, countertop cleaner)

Did You Know?

Meth can also come in a liquid form for the purpose of smuggling the substance by appearing as apple juice or other such liquids. After transport, the water is boiled away, leaving the pure drug in a solid form.

Meth + the Brain

Panic
Paranoia
Depression
Hallucinations
Hyperexcitability
Irritability
Uncontrollable obsession with the repetition of certain behaviors
Psychosis

Meth + the Body

Meth can cause many painful, uncontrollable, effects that interfere with quality of life. The list below states specific effects.

Long Term Effects

Rotting teeth
Loss of appetite
Increased heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature
Dilation of pupils
Disturbed sleep patterns
Nausea
Bizarre, erratic, sometimes violent behavior
Convulsions, seizures
Death from high dose

Short Term Effects

Open sores
Picking at the skin
Acne
Infections

Addiction

After continued use, your body is unable to create any more dopamine because the drug ravages the reward center in the brain and leaves it broken and, in some cases, inactive.
The brain, however, will continue to chase that original high causing continued use. At some point, the user no longer feels any pleasure and continues use meth to relieve withdrawal symptoms.
Prolonged use of methamphetamines can have detrimental long-lasting effects on your dopamine receptors, potentially risking physical damage and resulting in difficulty finding pleasure in typical, everyday events. These symptoms can last up to a year, and in some severe cases, dopamine receptors may never fully recover.

Legal Issues

According to the federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), methamphetamine is a Schedule II stimulant, which means that it has a high potential for abuse.

Meth-Addicted People

Meth can also cause people to pull away from friends and family. It can twist the perception of reality, so a person using meth can become violent and dangerous to anyone around them at any time. People who are addicted to meth will often resort to crime to obtain the money for their fix.