Ice Symptoms and Warning Signs
Ice Info
‘Ice’ is methamphetamine in a more purified form. Much of the Ice in the UK and Australia derive from large-scale methamphetamine labs, like those in Mexico. The drug is commonly used in the UK, United States, Australia and Thailand, with smaller quantities dealt in other parts of the world.
Because this form of meth is ‘purer’ than the traditional form, it can be smoked. Powdered meth can be ingested or dissolved in heat and injected. It is a powerful stimulant that causes the user to feel both euphoria and excitement, but it is highly addictive.
In this post, we discuss the symptoms and warning signs of ice addiction, as well as its short and long-term side-effects. We’ll help you recognise the signs in a loved one, so that you can get professional help in time. If you are currently abusing meth, please talk to an addiction specialist today.
Meth Abuse and Addiction Signs, Effects and Symptoms
Methamphetamine is a white crystalline powder that is odourless and bitter-tasting. It is highly soluble in water and alcohol, and enters the brain at much higher concentrations than other stimulants. Because of its longer-lasting properties, it has a dangerous effect on the brain and has been classified as a Class A drug.
The immediate effect of ingesting meth is a feeling of euphoria and a false sense of well
-being that can last from an hour to a whole day. Users tend to seem more alert and confident, with energy levels high, for as long as their ice supplies last. After the effect of the drug wears off, depression and anxiety set in, forcing them to seek more of the drug.
When you use ice repeatedly, it leads to abuse. Because of its uplifting effect, you’ll likely attempt to relive the euphoria of the first-time trial. This leads to continuous ingestion. Unfortunately, no subsequent use is ever like the first time, because the brain becomes accustomed to the drug. Chasing the first ‘high’ builds a tolerance that leads to increased dosage and eventually, meth dependence.
Abusing this highly-addictive drug poses several deadly risks. Meth dependence ranks amongst the most difficult to overcome, but with frequent treatment, you can beat the addiction.
Meth Abuse and Addiction – What is it?
Meth abuse is repeated usage of the drug in a bid to relive the euphoria and ecstasy of the previous use. Abusing meth causes severely dangerous effects on the brain and leads to you becoming addicted.
Methamphetamine affects the brain and induces feelings of pressure, intensified energy levels and elevated moods. The drug gives you the ability to remain awake and perform continuous activities with little (or no) need for sleep. Like regular amphetamines, methamphetamines tend to supress one’s appetite, which is why it is sometimes used by people who want to lose weight.
44 Warning Signs of Meth Addiction
The components of meth are highly toxic; sodium hydroxide, battery acid, brake fluid and lighter fluid. These chemicals produce many side-effects that serve as warning signs of meth addiction. How do you know your loved has a meth dependence?
Here are 44 warning signs of meth addiction:
- Bloodshot eyes
- Dilated pupils
- Severe weight loss (without discernible sickness)
- Uncontrolled spasms
- Severe nasal problems (nose bleeds, deviated septum)
- Bad breath
- Scabby, dry skin (lips and fingertips)
- Dental decay (‘meth mouth’)
- Dry mouth
- Alopecia (hair loss)
- Profuse sweating
- Dark rimmed eyes
- Abscesses on skin (from injections)
- Lesions and skin sores
- Burn marks on hands and mouth (from smoking)
Call our admissions line 24 hours a day to get help.
Behavioural warning signs of meth addiction:
- Unnecessary focus on basic tasks
- Teeth grinding and clenching
- Restlessness – inability to sit still
- Rambling and talking too much
- Insomnia – bad sleep patterns
- Sleeping for days
- Poor appetite
- Obsessive compulsive behaviour
- Hyperactivity – anxiousness
- Short-term memory loss
- Picking at the skin and face
- Experiencing hallucinations
- Paranoia and psychosis
- Violent behaviour
- Mood swings
- Delusions
- Self-harm and suicidal notions
Other indirect signs of meth addiction:
- Frequently stolen money from your wallet
- Presence of aluminium foil (smoking)
- Syringes (injection)
- Small elastic bags
- Water pipes
- Razor blades, Credit cards, IDs (for sectioning ‘meth lines’)
- Rolled-up paper or bank notes (for snorting)
- Misplaced/missing shoelaces (for tying injection areas)
- Presence of rubber bands or straps
- Empty plastic pen covers
- Straws (for snorting)
- Messy rooms
Do these signs look familiar? If you suspect a family member or friend of using methamphetamine, get help quickly.
For Parents: Warning Signs That Your Kid May Be Using Drugs
Ice is becoming increasingly common amongst the younger age bracket, particularly teenagers. If you are a parent, the following signs (besides those listed above) could be indicative of meth abuse:
- Child is suddenly withdrawn – absent from family activities
- Your teen has strange, new friends
- They are no longer interested in things they love
- They hardly sleep (when they do, they sleep for extended periods)
- Frequently skip classes – significant drop in school grades
- They regularly lack appetite
- They lose interest in grooming, hygiene and personal appearance
Call our admissions line 24 hours a day to get help.
Ice Addiction: Top Three Physical, Behavioural and Emotional Signs
Ice addiction can be classified into three areas; physical, behavioural and emotional signs.
The top three diagnostic signs are:
Physical:
- Skin picking – meth addicts obsessively pick their skin
- Skin crawling – a disorder known as formication, where they feel a crawling sensation under their skin
- Tooth decay
- Alopecia – caused by lack of nutrients and dangerous chemicals
Behavioural:
- Psychosis – seeing manifestations, paranoia
- Repetitive motor activity
- Violent outbursts and aggression
- Mood swings
Emotional:
- Easily become angry
- Vulnerable – trusts too easily
- Unstable emotion; Can laugh one minute and cry the next
Call our admissions line 24 hours a day to get help.
Teen Crystal Meth Abuse
Crystal meth is a common street drug amongst teenagers. However a 2009 survey conducted by Monitoring the Future showed a decrease in meth usage amongst teens. Nevertheless, there is still a high potential for abuse amongst people aged 16 – 24 years old, especially for avid party goers.
As a parent, you cannot afford to relax about drug abuse. Monitor your teens’ behaviour for any unusual signs. Meth abuse reveals specific warning symptoms which can save them from a life of addiction, if caught early.
What Are the Effects of Methamphetamine Abuse?
People who repeatedly use methamphetamine soon become dependent on the drug. Even though they take small amounts occasionally, the repercussions are evident. Meth abuse leads to severe health effects, such as inflammation of the heart lining and respiratory disorders. In worse cases, overdosing can cause hyperthermia and convulsions.
Short-Term and Long-Term Effects
Common short-term effects of crystal meth include an intense, initial ‘rush’ that lasts about half an hour. Users tend to appear eager to accomplish goals with feelings of self-confidence and high intellect. However, the short-term effects quickly give way to unpleasant feelings of depression and aggressive moods.
Long-term effects are usually borne from prolonged meth use. They are a syndrome of combined health problems, such as respiratory difficulty, cardiac issues, severe weight loss, stroke, body sores, psychosis and more.
Physical effects of ICE
If you use ice continuously, you’ll experience a noticeable rise in body temperature, as well as increased heart rate. There will be sores and abscesses on the skin and poor dental hygiene. Due to the crawling effect users feel, they tend to pick their skin repeatedly, causing sores and injury. Repeated ice abuse eventually leads to severe weight loss from lack of appetite.
Call our admissions line 24 hours a day to get help.
How Does Meth Affect the User’s Brain?
Most of the gratifying effects of methamphetamine is thought be the result of high levels of the neurotransmitter, dopamine, released in the brain. Dopamine is responsible for feelings of motivation, pleasure and motor function.
When you take methamphetamine, it releases approximately twelves times the amount of dopamine released when you have sex, consume delicious food or partake in other pleasurable activities. The elevated production of dopamine in the brain is also responsible for the dangerous side-effects on its nerve terminals.
Excess dopamine levels in the brain exerts fatigue on the nerve cells. These ‘fatigued’ cells become numb to the subsequent release of dopamine, making it somewhat tolerant to the drug. Addiction forms when tolerance is built, and you can’t function ‘normally’ without the presence of methamphetamine in your system. The negative reaction is called withdrawal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if someone is on crystal meth?
There are certain physical and behavioural signs associated with meth users. The most obvious physical signs include severe weight loss, presence of scabs on the skin, constant scratching and ‘meth mouth’. Examples of behavioural signs are elation, hallucinations and mood swings.
How is meth used?
Meth use is dependent on the form in which it comes. If it is powdered, users often smoke or snort it through the nose. Ice is the crystalline form, which is usually dissolved with heat and injected into the vein. Some people even put it in food substances.
What does meth look like?
Meth exists mostly in powdered form. It is a white, bitter-tasting, odourless, crystal-like powder. However, in ice form, it is a rock-like transparent crystal, which can be crushed and heated into a viscous liquid. Methamphetamine is soluble in alcohol and water.
What are the Warning Signs of Meth Addiction?
Meth addiction is a severe medical disease that is very difficult to break away from. It is better to arrest it in the early stages before you (or your loved one) becomes dependent. Common warning signs of meth abuse are unexplained bouts of euphoria, talkative behaviour, high motivation followed by depression and mood swings. Poor sleep patterns, loss of appetite and weight loss are also major warning signs.
How does meth abuse affect the brain?
Meth abuse affects the brain by inducing the secretion of neurotransmitters. The ecstatic feeling experienced by meth users is caused by flooding the brain with dopamine, a neurotransmitter responsible for motivation, pleasure and ‘happiness’.
The more dopamine that is produced, the more fatigued the brain cells become. This results in a numbness that makes the brain tolerant to subsequent meth use. Over time, tolerance changes the chemistry of the brain and builds dependence on the drug.
What are the effects of methamphetamine abuse?
Meth abuse causes adverse side-effects, both in the short and long-term. Immediate side-effects of meth abuse are poor motor coordination, mood disturbances, weight loss, dental loss, respiratory issues and skin problems. In the long-term, meth users will experience frequent health complications, such as heart diseases, deviated septum, lung problems, amnesia and psychosis.
What is methamphetamine?
Meth is a powerful stimulant of the central nervous system. It triggers short bursts of euphoria and ecstatic sensations. However, it is very addictive and comes with several adverse effects. Meth has been labelled a Class A drug and leads to serious legal implications if you are caught. Common street names for meth include ‘chalk’, ‘speed’ and ‘molly’. If in crystalline form, it is called ‘ice’, ‘glass’ or ‘crystal’.
How to Find Out if Your Child is Using Drugs or Alcohol?
Even though teenage meth usage has fallen in the past decade, the risk of abuse is always high, especially amongst frequent party goers. Many drugs are used concurrently, and this increases the risk of abuse and side-effects.
Recognising the signs of drug and alcohol abuse is an easy way to tell if your child is using. There will also be sharp changes in behaviour, new sets of friends, isolation from family events and so on. In most cases, class attendance will drop, and their grades will slip.
Should You Search Their Room?
Conducting discreet room searches can reveal things your teenager may be hiding. While some people may argue about the need for boundaries, a room search can reveal truths that could save your child before it is too late. If you have good reason to suspect foul play, it is perfectly acceptable to search the room.
How Can I Get Help If My Child Uses Meth?
There are special rehab centres for teen meth users. You can contact an addiction professional for help or call Addiction Helper. We have a 24-hour helpline that offers solutions for a range of addiction problems.
Call our admissions line 24 hours a day to get help.