Amphetamines and Crystal Meth

Amphetamines

• Amphetamines are psycho-stimulant drugs that speed up messages between the brain and body.
• Some types are prescribed to treat ADHD, narcolepsy, and Parkinson's disease.
• Other types, like speed, are produced and sold illegally.
• Crystal methamphetamine (ice) is a potent form, used as a performance enhancer.

ICE (Crystal Methamphetamine)

• Ice is a colorless, odorless stimulant.
• It's stronger and more addictive than powder meth.
• It comes as small, chunky crystals, sometimes resembling ice or glass fragments.
• Can also come as a white or brownish powder.
• It has a strong, bitter taste.
• Common nicknames include crystal meth, shabu, crystal, glass, or shard.

Methamphetamine Use Methods

• Ice can be smoked, injected, snorted, or swallowed.
• Smoked ice produces an almost immediate effect.
• Injection and snorting have faster effects (15-30 seconds, 3-5 minutes respectively).
• Swallowing meth results in a delayed effect (15-20 minutes).
• Higher purity levels in ice may lead to longer-lasting and more intense effects.

Illegality of Methamphetamine

• Crystal methamphetamine is a Schedule II substance under the Controlled Substances Act.
• Schedule II substances, including cocaine and PCP, have a high potential for abuse.
• Abuse can lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.

Methamphetamine Effects on the Body

• Indirect agonist for dopamine, noradrenaline, and serotonin.
• Blocks monoamine reuptake.
• Inhibits MAO metabolism.
• Inhibits vesicular storage.
• Reverses reuptake.

Effects of Methamphetamine on Different Systems

• Neurological: Delirium, tremors, seizures, hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, psychosis.
• Psych: Anxiety, confusion, sleep problems, hallucinations, delusions, and psychosis.
• ENT: Dry mouth, teeth grinding, poor oral hygiene, nasal injury.
• Cardiovascular: Increased heart rate, high blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, potentially heart attacks and/or sudden death.
• Pulmonary: Lung issues like pulmonary hypertension or ARDS.
• Gastrointestinal: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, ischemic colitis.
• Renal: Acute kidney injury.
• Musculoskeletal: Muscle rigidity, rhabdomyolysis.
• Skin: Increased sweating, skin sores (if injected).

Long-Term Effects

• Anxiety, confusion; sleep problems.
• Hallucinations, delusions.
• Methamphetamine psychosis.
• Psychotic behaviors.
• Chronic depression.
• Severe weight loss.
• Brain damage.

Clinical Presentation

• Hyperthermia (high body temperature).
• Euphoria.
• Dilated pupils.
• Sweating.
• Insomnia.
• Tachycardia (rapid heart rate).
• Decreased appetite.
• Increased alertness and energy.

Mood Symptoms

• Anxiety, restlessness, panic.
• Aggression, racing thoughts.
• Severe depression (after binges).
• Euphoria.
• Violent mood swings.
• Delusions of grandeur.

Behavioral Symptoms

• Risky sexual behavior.
• Inability to stop use.
• Violence
• Neglect of hobbies and activities.
• Borrowing or stealing money.
• Preoccupation with "chasing the next high".
• Isolation from friends and family.
• Unsafe activities.

Physical Symptoms

• Weight loss.
• Cardiac arrhythmias.
• Malnutrition.
• Respiratory issues.
• Skin sores, acne, loss of elasticity.
• Meth mouth.
• Brain damage.
• Seizures.

Psychological Symptoms

• Confusion.
• Memory loss.
• Disorganized lifestyle.
• Paranoia.
• Psychosis.
• Hallucinations.
• Severe detachment from reality.

Injecting Risks

• Tetanus risk.
• Infection risk.
• Vein damage.

Sharing Needles Risks

• Hepatitis B and C.
• HIV.
• AIDS.

Snorting Risks

• Nasal passage damage.

Overdose Symptoms

• Chest pain.
• Breathing problems.
• Uncontrolled jerking.
• Extreme agitation, confusion, clumsiness.
• Severe headache.
• Unconsciousness.
• Stroke.
• Heart attack.
• Immediate death.

Treatment

• Physical and/or chemical restraint may prevent harm.
• Treating life-threatening problems like breathing, seizures, tachycardia, and hyperthermia.
• Gastric lavage, activated charcoal.
• Intravenous fluids to eliminate the drug.
• Phentolamine, nitroprusside, or nitroglycerin for organ failure.
• Antibiotics for infections.
• Diazepam and chlorpromazine for sedation and seizures.
• Other drugs (imipramine, fluoxetine) to address symptoms.

Coming Down

• Several days, or even weeks to recover following use.
• Difficulty sleeping.
• Exhaustion.
• Headaches, dizziness, blurred vision.
• Paranoia, hallucinations, confusion.
• Irritability and "feeling down."

Cycle of Dependence

• Using depressants (like alcohol, benzodiazepines or cannabis) to manage comedown effects can perpetuate the cycle of dependence on both the stimulating and depressant drugs.

Autopsy Findings

• Recent needle puncture marks, irregular linear scars, and skin infections.
• Inguinal area, neck and other places with needle marks.
• Crank Bugs (hallucinatory) sensation of bugs crawling.
• Extreme weight loss.
• Bony prominences.
• Prominent rib cage.
• Meth mouth (oral damage).

Ongoing Health Issues

• Pathological heart conditions like cardiac arrhythmias, myocardial fibrosis, coronary artery fibrosis.
• Systemic infections (Hepatitis B/C).
• Severe burns.

Addiction ("Binge & Crash")

• The drug increases dopamine levels, creating an intense high and desire for more doses.
• Cravings and compulsive behavior result from the need to maintain the euphoria.

Explore the world of amphetamines, focusing on their uses, particularly in treating conditions like ADHD and narcolepsy. Learn about crystal methamphetamine, its effects, and various methods of use. This quiz delves into both the medical and illegal aspects of these powerful stimulants.