Ways Meth is Used

Methamphetamine, or "meth," is the number one drug problem in rural America and one of the fastest-growing drug threats in the nation. It is a powerfully addictive stimulant that has a dramatic effect on the central nervous system. Meth is a synthetic drug produced in clandestine labs in mostly rural parts of the country, using ingredients and equipment that can be procured at any local drug, hardware, or farm supply store. Due to the fact that meth is highly addictive, relatively inexpensive, and easy to make, abuse of the drug has spread rapidly through the western, southwestern, Midwestern, and southeastern United States, as well as through other parts of the world such as Southeast Asia and New Zealand.

There are several ways that meth is used, and users of the drug may ingest the drug in pill form, snort the drug, smoke it, or inject it intravenously. When meth is snorted or taken in pill form, it produces a sense of euphoria that may last as long as twelve hours. When meth is smoked or injected however, the user will experience a more immediate and intense "rush" that may last for as little as a few minutes, followed by a lower-level feeling of euphoria.

Individuals who abuse meth often follow a progression of meth use in which they begin by ingesting the drug, then snorting it, then smoking it, and then finally injecting it. Consistent with this pattern of use, new meth users often ingest or snort the drug, while hard-core users are often found smoking or injecting it.

Meth is commonly smoked by means of a glass pipe known as a "meth pipe". Meth pipes are typically made from blown Pyrex tubes, light bulbs. Meth users put the drug into their meth pipes by making a scoop from a straw. They scoop up the meth and place it in the bulb of the pipe, and then hold the stem in their thumb and index finger and light the lighter under the bulb. This vaporizes the meth and produces meth fumes which are then inhaled. Smoking meth is also known as "chasing the white dragon". The drug can also be smoked on aluminum foil which has been heated by a flame.

Injecting meth is another common form of administration for meth use, but potentially carries quite serious risks. Meth contains hydrochloride salt which is water soluble, making it a prime candidate for injection. Users who inject meth may use any dose from 200mg to over a gram in one I.V. dose using a small needle. Individuals who inject the drug experience greater jaw-clenching than users who snort or smoke the drug since injecting meth has a much more powerful effect. This can result in loose teeth, so injection users tend to experience tooth loss as a result. Injection also brings the risk of infection, as injection users often experience skin rashes that are sometimes referred to as "speed bumps" which can damage to the skin.

Regardless of the way that meth is used it tends to cause increased activity, decreased appetite, and a false sense of well-being in the short term. However, this is soon followed by damage to the brain, body, and central nervous system.