Methamphetamine is . . .
a powerfully addictive stimulant that is closely related to amphetamine, but has a longer lasting and more toxic effect on the central nervous system. It has a high potential for abuse and addiction.
Street names/slang terms for methamphetamine
There are many different names for methamphetamine with the most common being: speed, meth, chalk, ice, crystal, glass, crank, fire, white cross, tweek, chards.
How is it used?
Methamphetamine is a white, odorless, bitter tasting crystalline powder that can be easily dissolved in water or alcohol. It comes in many forms and can be smoked, snorted, injected or orally ingested.
How does it effect the user?
Immediately after snorting or injecting, the user experiences an intense sensation called a “rush” or “flash” that last only a few moments and is described as extremely pleasurable. Oral use or snorting produces euphoria – a high, but not a rush. Users may become addicted quickly, and use it with increasing frequency and increasing doses. After the initial “rush” there is typically a state of high agitation that can lead to violent behavior in some individuals.
Meth affects the central nervous system and users may experience increased physical activity, wakefulness and insomnia, decreased appetite, irritability/aggression, anxiety, nervousness, confusion, tremors, convulsions, and heart attack. Meth is addictive and users can quickly develop a tolerance, needing larger amounts to get high. Chronic use can cause paranoia, hallucinations, repetitive/compulsive behavior, and delusions of parasites or insects crawling under the skin. Users can obsessively scratch their skin to get rid of the imagined insects.
Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)