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| What Is Crystal Meth? |
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crystal meth - (kris´tl meth), n. |
 Crystal meth, also known as methamphetamine, is a highly addictive stimulant that affects the central nervous system. Although most of the methamphetamine used in this country comes from foreign or domestic superlabs, the drug is also easily made in small clandestine laboratories, with relatively inexpensive over-the-counter ingredients. These factors combine to make methamphetamine a drug with high potential for widespread abuse.
Methamphetamine comes in many forms and can be smoked, snorted, orally ingested, or injected. It is a clear to white crystalline substance that can be crushed, liquefied and melted before it is used. It's color may vary depending on the purity of the drug and the ingredients. It's usually seen in a white color but variations can have tinges of pink, blue, purple, yellow and orange.
 The drug works directly on the brain and spinal chord by interfering with normal neurotransmission. The main neurotransmitter affected by meth is Dopamine. Dopamine is involved with our natural reward system; examples: feeling good about a job well done, getting pleasure from our family and social interactions, feeling content and that our lives have meaning and purpose and count for something.
Methamphetamine is a Schedule II stimulant, which means it has a high potential for abuse and is available only through a prescription. It is indicated for the treatment of narcolepsy (a sleep disorder) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; but these medical uses are limited, and the doses are much lower than those typically abused. Amphetamine (meth's parent drug) is used in nasal decongestants like Sudafed. It's used to treat narcolepsy and obesity and in low doses it's used to treat attention deficit disorder.
 Methamphetamine is known by many common street names: tina, chrissy, ice, crank, meth, crystal, shards, crystal meth, speed, dope, such, glass, go, tweak and the white lady among others. It is a white, odorless, bitter-tasting crystalline powder that easily dissolves in water or alcohol. Like amphetamine, methamphetamine causes increased activity and talkativeness, decreased appetite, and a general sense of well-being. However, methamphetamine differs from amphetamine in that at comparable doses, much higher levels of methamphetamine get into the brain, making it a more potent stimulant drug. It also has longer lasting and more harmful effects on the central nervous system. |
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