Crystal Methamphetamine Facts

Methamphetamine or n-methyl-1-phenyl-propan-2-amine also known by other chemical names methylamphetamine, or desoxyephedrine is a chemical. When in crystalline form, it becomes a drug called crystal methamphetamine or by its street name, crystal meth. This highly addictive drug is either smoked in glass pipes, injected dry or dissolved in water, swallowed, snorted and believe it or not, inserted into the anus or urethra. In the following paragraphs, we shall cover some disturbing crystal methamphetamine facts that will surely make you to stay away from this drug.

Facts About Crystal Meth
Crystal methamphetamine was commonly used in 1960s and 1970s, after which it kind of disappeared during 1980s. However, this drug is back and has caused addictions in people of all ages. Crystalline methamphetamine looks like a crystalline powder. One of the interesting crystalline methamphetamine facts is that the legal crystal meth has no odor, whereas, the illegal crystal meth has a strong ammonia odor. This is because of the incomplete manufacturing of the solvents and reagents used to manufacture this drug. The ingredients of crystal meth include antifreeze, battery acid, hydrochloric acid, drain cleaner, lye, red phosphorous, sulfuric acid, ether, lithium, muriatic acid, lantern fuel and over the counter drugs like ephedrine.

Street Names for Crystal Meth
There are many street names of the drug, some of which include the following:

• Amp
• Barney dope
• Batu
• Biker's Coffee
• BlackBeauties
• Blade
• Chalk
• Chicken Feed
• Crank
• CriCri
• Cristy
• Crystal
• Crystal Glass
• Crystal Meth
• Crystalight
• Energy
• Eraser dust
• Fizz wizz
• Gak
• Glass
• Go-Fast
• Gonzales
• Hanyak
• Hiropon
• Hot Ice
• Hydra
• Ice
• Jib
• Kaksonjae
• L.A. Glass
• L.A. Ice
• Meth
• Methlies Quick
• Poor Man's Cocaine
• Quartz
• Shabu
• Shards
• Sky rocks
• Speed
• Stove Top
• Super Ice
• Tina
• Trash
• Tweak
• Uppers
• Ventana
• Vidrio
• Waterford
• White pony
• Wigg
• Yaba
• Yellow Bam
• Zip

What Makes the Drug so Addictive
Methamphetamine facts show that it induces euphoria, that is, strong feelings of confidence, heightened concentration, joy, alertness, increased energy, etc. It also helps suppresses hunger and fatigue and the effects last for 2 to 24 hours. For as little as $5, a user can get one tenth of a gram, that is, point of crystal methamphetamine. This point is enough to induce a euphoria that lasts for 12 to 24 hours. It is known as a 'club drug', as it is very popular in rave parties as it is a stimulant that helps increase alertness, energy and lowers fatigue.

Women are more attracted to the drug, due to the fact that the drug helps in weight loss. The weight loss does occur, but to an extreme level. Slowly the body gets used to the drug and the weight loss reduces after about 6 weeks of taking the drug. The weight is easily regained after the user stops taking the drug. Thus, the user never stops using the drug and develops other problems related to drug abuse. Some also take the drug to increase their sexual pleasure as well as their libido.

What are the Effects of Drug Abuse?
Facts about crystal methamphetamine include the innumerable health problems in a drug user. There are many effects of methamphetamine on the body as this drug is never available in its pure form. The different ingredients cause effects that are beyond comprehension. Some of these effects of the drug apart from euphoria, increase levels of alertness and energy include:

• Loss of appetite
• Insomnia
• Tremors
• Jaw clenching
• Agitation
• Irritability
• Talkativeness
• Panic
• Obsessive compulsive behavior
• Violent behavior
• Confusion
• Increased libido
• Increased blood pressure
• Increased body temperature
• Increased heart rate
• Increase in blood sugar levels
• Bronchodilation
• Constriction of the walls of the arteries

In case of chronic users, especially in pregnant and nursing women, the drug can cross the placenta and reach the fetus or get secreted in breast milk. Chronic users tend to develop tolerance to the drug and therefore need to administer themselves with more quantities of the drug to get the same euphoric feeling. Their drug cravings increase and suffer from temporary weight loss. A condition called meth teeth or meth mouth is seen in chronic users of the drug. You can read some meth mouth facts and learn about this condition where there is extensive teeth decay and tooth loss. In case of side effects of methamphetamine, the user may experience depression, anhedonia and psychosis that may last for months to even years.

What are the Health Complications of Drug Abuse?
There are many health problems related to drug use. A user may develop physical signs like irritability, nervousness, nausea, hot flashes, heart palpitations, paranoia, hypertension, etc. Other serious health complications related to crystal meth abuse include:

• Stroke due to damage to small blood vessels of the brain
• Heart lining inflammation
• Long term, brain damage
• Meth mouth that causes loss of teeth and dental diseases
• Increase in risk of contracting infections due to lowered immune system like hepatitis B, hepatitis C and even HIV
• Sexual dysfunction
• Convulsions
• Cardiovascular collapse
• Delusions and paranoia
• Hyperthernia (elevated body temperature)
• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown)
• Kidney failure

Facts about crystalline methamphetamine show that 70% of the 'Ecstasy' seized by the police contain crystalline methamphetamine. There are about 20% of crystalline methamphetamine users who become dependent on the drug. Anyone found in possession and production of meth is fined $1000 to $100, 000 and handed an imprisonment term of 6 months to life. If you spot any signs of crystal meth abuse in someone you know, help them come out of their drug addiction. You can check them into drug rehabilitation centers, where they can be helped to overcome their addictions. Hope these crystal methamphetamine facts have helped you learn more about this drug addiction and helps keep you away from all kinds of addictions.