Methamphetamines

Background information on the use of “ice”

“Ice” is crystal methamphetamine, a stimulant, usually in small chunky clear, ice-like crystals or a white or brownish crystal-like powder with a strong smell and bitter taste. Ice speeds up the messages between the brain and the body.  
 
Smoked or injected, the delay before the effects are first felt is 3 – 7 seconds; snorted, the delay is 3 – 5 minutes; swallowed, it’s 15 – 30 minutes. “Ice” is stronger and more addictive with more harmful side effects than “speed” (methamphetamine powder). “Ice” can produce incredibly strong upside feelings of intense pleasure, confidence, alertness, energy, sexual desire and drive.   

On the downside, “ice” can produce enlarged pupils, dry mouth, elevated heart rate, rapid breathing, teeth grinding, excessive sweating, agitation, and reduced appetite. It can also produce an intense itch and scratching. It can take several days to come down from “ice” and the user may experience sleep disturbance, exhaustion, headaches, dizziness and blurred vision; feeling emotionally irritable and “down” and possibly paranoia, hallucinations and confusion. Some people use alcohol, benzodiazepines or cannabis (i.e. depressants) to ease the effects of coming down. 
 
Snorting can damage the nasal passage and cause nose bleeds. Injecting using a shared needle carries risks in common with all substances administered via shared needles: Hepatitis B and C, HIV and AIDS. The risk of an “ice” overdose is significant, and the symptoms include racing heartbeat, chest pain, breathing problems, convulsions, uncontrolled jerking, extreme agitation, confusion, clumsiness, sudden onset of severe headache, and losing consciousness. There is also the ever-present risk of a stroke, heart attack or death.  
 
Longer-term side-effects include all the above plus extreme weight loss, dental problems, frequent respiratory and sinus infections, difficulty concentrating, breathlessness, muscle stiffness, anxiety, depression and heart and kidney problems. Dependence produces financial, work, social and relationship problems. Key relationships often fracture. “Ice psychosis” is produced from high doses and frequent use, characterised by paranoid delusions, hallucinations and bizarre, aggressive or violent behaviour, symptoms that usually disappear a few days after the person stops using.  
 
Dependence on “ice” develops relatively quickly compared to other drugs and rapidly becomes integral to that person’s daily life. It is not an abstraction. Often a person dependent on “ice” will be unable to get through their ordinary daily obligations and responsibilities in terms of work, study, family and socialising. Regular “ice” use often negatively impacts on the user’s ability to feel enjoyment in ordinary everyday activities. A person may experience rapid mood fluctuations, become easily stressed, anxious and depressed as a longer-term consequence. The after-effects of “ice” are experienced from weeks to months after ceasing.  
 
Cocktails of “ice” and other drugs can be unpredictable and dangerous. This includes “ice” with over the counter and prescribed medication. “Ice” with speed or ecstasy puts the heart and other parts of the body under an enormous strain and can be a precursor to a stroke, while using “ice” with alcohol, marijuana or benzodiazepine stresses the body by creating the conditions for an unintended overdose, e.g. the contradictory stimulant and depressant effects of “ice” and benzodiazepines. Withdrawal is challenging because the body must function without it. Most withdrawal symptoms settle down after a week and disappear after a month. These can include craving “ice”, increased appetite, confusion, irritability, various aches and pains, exhaustion, sleep disturbance, nightmares, anxiety, depression and paranoia. About 2% of Australians use methamphetamines, half prefer “ice”, and “ice” users have doubled since 2013.