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Who's Really Using Meth?

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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)

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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.

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
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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
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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.
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Common Names

  • Speed
  • Crank
  • Ice
  • Tweek
  • Uppers
  • Chalk
  • Christina
  • Tina
  • Go fast
  • Cookies
  • Cotton candy
  • Dunk
  • Gak
  • Go-go juice
  • No doze
  • White cross
  • Pookie
  • Rocket fuel
  • Scooby snax
  • Wash
  • Trash
  • Garbage

More Drugs

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