Methamphetamine Abuse and Effects Quiz

Amphetamines

• Amphetamines are psycho-stimulant drugs, speeding up messages between the brain and body.
• Some types are prescribed to treat conditions like ADHD and narcolepsy.
• Amphetamines can also treat Parkinson's disease but some types are produced and sold illegally.
• Crystal methamphetamine (ice) is a potent form.

What is Ice?

• Crystal methamphetamine, also known as "ice," is a colorless, odorless stimulant.
• It's stronger and more addictive than powder methamphetamine (speed), with more harmful side effects.
• It often appears as small, chunky, clear crystals resembling ice or as white/brownish crystal-like powder.
• Other names for ice include crystal meth, shabu, crystal, glass, and shard.

Methods of Use

• Ice can be smoked, injected, snorted, or swallowed.
• Smoking ice produces almost immediate effects.
• Injection takes 15-30 seconds to take effect.
• Swallowing or snorting ice may take 3-5 minutes or 15-20 minutes to feel the effects.
• It's commonly abused due to its long-lasting euphoric effect.

Why is Ice Illegal?

• Crystal meth 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.

Effect of Ice on the Body

• Indirect agonist for dopamine, noradrenaline, and serotonin.
• Mechanism: blocks monoamine reuptake, inhibits MAO metabolism, inhibits vesicular storage, and reverse reuptake.
• Effects on organs: varies greatly by system; neurologic effects include: delirium, tremor, or choreiform movement, intracranial hemorrhage, anxiety, paranoia, hallucinations; cardiovascular effects include tachycardia, hypertension, dysrhythmias, myocardial infarction, pulmonary effects include pulmonary hypertension, and much more.

Long-Term Effects

• Anxiety, confusion, sleep problems, hallucinations, and delusions.
• Methamphetamine psychosis, psychotic behavior, chronic depression, severe weight loss, and brain damage.
• Physical appearance deterioration (photos provided)

Clinical Presentation

• Signs and symptoms include hyperthermia, euphoria, dilated pupils, sweating, insomnia, tachycardia, decreased appetite, and increased alertness and energy.
• Mood symptoms include anxiety, panic, aggression, racing thoughts, severe depression, violent mood swings, and delusions of power.

Behavioral Symptoms

• Risky sexual behavior, wanting to quit or cut down on use, avoid hobbies and activities, borrowing or stealing money, preoccupation with the next "high", pulling away from friends/family, and engaging in unsafe activities.

Physical Symptoms

• Marked weight loss, cardiac arrhythmias, malnutrition, respiratory problems, acne/picking scars, skin elasticity loss, "meth mouth," brain damage, and seizures are all possible.

Psychological Symptoms

• Marked confusion, memory loss, disorganized lifestyle, paranoia, psychosis, hallucinations, and complete detachment from reality.

Risks Associated with Injection

• Increased risk of tetanus, infection, and vein damage.
• Sharing needles increases hepatitis B, C, and HIV/AIDS risk.
• Snorting ice can damage the nasal passage and cause nosebleeds.

Overdose

• Symptoms of overdose include chest pain, breathing problems, uncontrolled jerking, extreme agitation/confusion/clumsiness, severe headaches, unconsciousness, and potentially stroke, heart attack, or immediate death.

Treatment

• Physical restraints may be used to prevent harm.
• Aim to treat life-threatening symptoms by addressing compromised airways, seizures, tachycardia, hyperthermia.
• Gastric lavage, activated charcoal, and intravenous crystalloids can be used to eliminate the drug from the body.
• Medications and supportive care (antibiotics, etc) treat organ failure, infections, and seizures.

Coming Down

• It takes several days to recover from ice use.
• Common effects include difficulty sleeping, exhaustion, headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, paranoia, hallucinations, confusion, and irritability.

Addiction

• The drug boosts dopamine release, increasing this neurotransmitter within the brain, leading to intense elevated or euphoric mood.
• Strong desire to continue use, which causes addiction and cravings for constant redosing and binge-like behaviors.

Autopsy Picture / Findings

• Needle puncture marks, scars, and skin infections (locations), "crank bugs", sores from itching, extreme weight loss, bony prominences, and noticeable rib cages.
• "Meth Mouth" (photographic examples).

Additional Notes

• Pathologic changes to the heart can lead to cardiac arrhythmias, myocardial fibrosis and/or coronary artery fibrosis.
• Systemic infections including hepatitis B/C and severe burns are possible.

Test your knowledge on the details surrounding methamphetamine, particularly crystal meth. This quiz covers its medical uses, methods of administration, psychological effects, and the legal implications of its use. Discover common misconceptions and learn about the consequences of abuse.