When it comes to substance use, it can be difficult to bring up with a loved one. What do you do when you find a mysterious powder or crystal-like rocks in ziplocked bags in a nightstand drawer? You compare the substance to how your partner has been acting lately, and with the help of Google, you can probably guess that, in this case, the substance is methamphetamines. But how can you be sure?
In Pinellas County, almost 200 deaths were caused by methamphetamines between January and June of 2022. Tranquil Shores understands how scary it can be to find unknown substances in the possession of a spouse or child. Our program offers family therapy to help loved ones understand how methamphetamine use disorder began and how they can help once treatment is complete. Meth identification can be the first step in providing help to a loved one, and today we are going to discuss how to tell if a substance is meth.
Identifying Meth: What to Check For
Methamphetamines such as meth or crystal meth are common types of stimulants. They are derived from amphetamines which are prescription medications originally used for nasal decongestion and bronchial inhalers. The process of making meth involves common and relatively inexpensive ingredients including common cold medicine, ether, fertilizer, and acetone. This is done in laboratories throughout the country.
Meth can come in different forms and be used in different ways. Common ways to use meth are injecting, snorting, smoking, and ingesting.
What Does Meth Look Like?
Meth has a unique appearance and comes in a powder or crystal-like rock. The powder is a whitish color but has translucent properties because it is the crushed form of the rock. Depending on how the meth was made and what it was cut with, the powder can be off-white, yellow, or brown.
Crystal meth gets its name from its appearance. Cutting agents such as baking soda and flour can also cause the powder to cake together, creating chunks. The crystal shards can vary in shape and are hard to the touch.
Does Meth Have a Smell?
Meth can have a bitter smell of chemicals such as ammonia or acetone as it is made using these products. However, if you find a substance and do not know what it is, do not smell it to try to identify it. Many substances when smelled are absorbed through the nasal lining, introducing them to the bloodstream. Once meth enters the bloodstream, it travels to the brain and causes many adverse effects. It can even cause an overdose in those who do not regularly use meth. Smell is not a safe method to identify meth.
Can You Taste Meth to Identify It?
Just like smell, meth often has a bitter taste from chemicals. But also just like smell, tasting meth will cause exposure. Because meth is made with so many chemicals, it can cause irritation to the tongue, esophagus, and stomach lining when swallowed. It also poses the risk of an accidental overdose. Never taste an unknown substance to try to identify it.
What if Meth Is Mixed With Other Drugs?
When meth is mixed with other drugs, it may be harder to identify and also be more dangerous. As we mentioned above, meth by itself in powder form has a shiny and translucent look. When other substances are added, this appearance changes. However, fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, and many other substances also come in the form of a white powder, so there is no true way to know what has been added to the meth. There are fentanyl test strips available to test the powder for its presence, but there are no strips for other substances. There have also been instances where meth has been pressed into pill form and can have traces of other substances, hindering its identifying properties.
Popular Street Names for Meth
Street names are used for substances as a type of slang to try to keep discretion. While street names are always changing, common ones for meth include:
- Crystal
- Chalk
- Glass
- Ice
- Tina
- Crank
- Shards
- Poor man’s cocaine
Common emojis used through text that can mean meth include the ice cube, diamond, crystal ball, and ice cream.
How to Tell if Someone Is Using Meth
Methamphetamines have noticeable side effects that progressively become more detrimental as use continues. There are other signs that someone may be using meth including paraphernalia. Meth has a high risk of dependency, and as use continues, the person will find anything they can to take meth. Lightbulbs, test tubes, and glass pipes are common for smoking meth, along with having lighters. Needles, syringes, and rubber bands can be a sign of injecting meth. Straws or makeshift tubing can be used to snort meth. Finding any of these things paired with the person acting differently than usual may warrant a conversation about a possible meth use disorder.
Short-Term Effects
The short-term effects of methamphetamines may start abruptly and then vary as use continues. Common effects include:
- Increase in focus and attention
- Hyperthermia
- Irregular or rapid heartbeat
- Rush of euphoria
- Distrust of others
- Decreased appetite
These effects tend to happen every time after meth is taken. Over time, the body begins to build up tolerance to meth and will require more to achieve the same effects. As dependence develops, the person will begin to see more long-term physical and mental side effects from meth.
Long-Term Effects
As meth use continues, the body and mind begin to deteriorate. Because meth is a stimulant, it is often associated with a binge and crash cycle. This means the person will take meth for days at a time, not sleeping between doses. As the effects wear off and they stop taking meth, they crash and sleep for days at a time. This cycle is extremely unhealthy for the body as the immune system weakens without proper sleep. Combined with malnourishment from long-term appetite decreases, the immune system will be very weak, making it difficult to heal from even minor infections.
Methamphetamines also cause many psychological effects that can last even after use has stopped. Increased anxiety, paranoia, and mood swings can cause extreme distrust of those around the person. Even friends and family can become stranger-like. The person may experience outbursts of violence in these moments, putting the people around them in danger of injuries. Hallucinations and delusions are also common long-term effects of meth, and they can manifest as physical symptoms such as skin picking. The person may experience “bugs under the skin” sensations and try to pick them out, resulting in skin sores.
Meth Overdose
A meth overdose occurs when too much meth is taken at one time. As the body attempts to process the meth, it becomes overwhelmed and systems begin to move too fast. Heart attacks, strokes, and seizures are common with meth overdoses. Seizures occur when body temperature becomes too high (hyperthermia). Heart attacks are caused by irregular heartbeat, while strokes come from blood clots that occur when the heart beats erratically. There is no medication to reverse a meth overdose. If an overdose is ever suspected, seek medical attention immediately. Medical professionals will manage the overdose symptoms while the body processes the remaining meth.
Treatment Options for Meth Addiction Near Tampa, FL
It can be scary finding meth in your loved one’s possession, and thinking about the next steps can have you feeling even more uncertain. Help is available and the sooner meth use disorder is addressed, the sooner healing can begin. Meth addiction rehab is the first step on the journey to recovery. Through various therapies, coping skill development, and rediscovering passions, your loved one will be able to find the root causes of their addiction and begin building into the life they want moving forward. Support is crucial in the recovery process, and involving yourself in your loved one’s recovery will show them you care. It will also be healing for you.
If you or someone you love is worried about having to identify a substance as meth, it is time to seek help. Tranquil Shores always keeps our client-to-therapist ratio at 3:1, ensuring you receive the individual attention needed to face your meth use disorder. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Call us today at 727-391-7001 for the private and peaceful treatment you deserve.
