Methamphetamine

 Speed, Crank, Crystal, Meth, Uppers, Bennies, Billy, Tweak, & Bitch

Other forms: Pharmaceutical drugs that are also amphetamines are Dexedrine, Desoxyn, Ritalin, and Cylert.

Methamphetamine, a potent stimulant of the amphetamine class of drugs, is usually illicitly  manufactured and sold in powder, liquid, or tablet form. Normally mixed with various cutting agents. Methamphetamine is the commonly abused member of the amphetamine class, which includes Benzedrine, Biphetamine and Dexedrine. These drugs have limited but legitimate medical uses for hyperactive children, severe obesity, narcolepsy and depression; they are consumed by oral ingestion, sniffing or injection.

Many regular users inject it every four to five hours. A first- time user can remain high up to twenty-five hours. On a " run" users may inject every hour or so until they finally stop or " crash ," due to exhaustion. After sleeping for eighteen to forty-eight hours, the user will awaken depressed, hungry and then craving methamphetamine will begin another " speed-run."

Habitual users will inject about 0.25 grams ( 1/4 teaspoon ) to 0.5 grams at a time; users on a binge have been known to inject as much as 1,000 milligrams every two to three hours. When the drug is injected, a 'rush" or " flash " of intense euphoria occurs within seconds and lasts from four to eight hours. When the drug is consumed orally, the effects will occur in twenty to thirty minutes but there  may be no rush or euphoria as with injection. Snorting produces similar effects, but they are not as intense. Low doses stimulate the central nervous system, resulting in increased blood pressure, respiration and pulse rate. High doses depress the central nervous system and may cause sedation.

Usage can be suspected if a person has such symptoms as enlarged pupils or a pupil that reacts slowly to light challenges, acne, chapped lips, needle marks on the arms, an underweight or malnourished appearance, hyperactivity, violent, argumentative, unpredictable, behaviors, inability to concentrate, reason, insomnia, paranoid behavior, or sores on the face arms, or legs. Because of the aforementioned effects, the person on methamphetamine is often violent and is probably one of the most dangerous drug users in society.

Chronic use produces physical, mental, and social complications, including sinusitis, bronchitis, and respiratory ailments; nasal ulcers and / or perforation of the nasal septum; paranoia; mental confusion and forgetfulness; severe depression and lack of energy between doses, loss of interest and motivation, chemical changes in the brain, distorted sense of time, violence or fights.

Withdrawal stimulates severe depression, lack of energy, sleep disorders, tremor, muscle aches, nausea and an intense craving for methamphetamine. Research shows that the vast majority of persons who cannot stop use have altered the chemistry in their nervous system to the point where their bodies crave the substance. The major problem is that methamphetamine alters the neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. When this happens and methamphetamine isn't taken, withdrawal symptoms set in.

Looks like: White or gray powder, beige granules, rock salt, rock candy, slivers of ice, or slivers of glass. Generally sold in plastic baggies, paper bundles or heat - sealed cellophane.

Smoked, injected, snorted, and orally ingested.

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