“Crystal meth” is a street name for the drug methamphetamine, a powerful stimulant that carries a high risk of physical dependence. Although methamphetamine has medical purposes, people use forms of it as a recreational drug.

In the United States, a different formulation of methamphetamine called Desoxyn is available by prescription to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

However, many people misuse methamphetamine recreationally. This can bring unwanted side effects, such as physical dependence.

Other street names for methamphetamine include meth, crystal, speed, and ice. Methamphetamine’s pure form is as crystals, but it is available in powder or base form on the street.

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Crystal meth is a powerful stimulant drug that can causeTrusted Source feelings of euphoria and high energy. People may choose meth because of these euphoric effects.

Meth can also cause rapid weight loss, a higher libido, and intense feelings of alertness and concentration.

Some people self-medicate for these effects, hoping to lose weight, improve their sexual performance, reduce depression, or concentrate more at work or school.

For most people, the effects of crystal meth last for 6 to 12 hours, making the “high” much longer than that of other stimulants, such as cocaine. Some people choose meth because of its longer-lasting effects.

However, as with most addictive substances, the body begins to tolerateTrusted Source meth with prolonged use. This reduces the intensity of the high a person gets. It also reduces other desired effects of the drug, including improvements in libido and concentration.

This tolerance may cause a person to use more crystal meth to get the same high they once got with a lower dose.

Over time, this can lead to addiction. People with a substance use disorder may use these types of drugs, and others, to feel normal. If they stop using them, they may experience painful withdrawal effects.

How do people take it?

A person can snort, smoke, swallow, or inject crystal meth.

The way a person takes meth may affect the high. For example, smoking offers a shorter and more intense high, including a “rush” when a person first smokes. Swallowing pills is the slowest way to get a high.

Crystal meth boostsTrusted Source the release of the neurotransmitter dopamine and stops its reuptake. As a result, it increases the levels of dopamine in the body.

Dopamine playsTrusted Source an important role in motor function, motivation, reward, and how the brain experiences and interprets pleasure.

The dopamine rush in the reward centers of the brain gives a person a sense of euphoria soon after taking the drug.

Repeated use can have some psychological effects.

These include:

When people take crystal meth in high dosages, it can cause drug-induced psychosis or bleeding in the brain.

A person who regularly uses crystal meth also has a high risk of becoming overly reliant on the drug or developing a substance use disorder.

The drug can also lead to some physical effectsTrusted Source.

  • lasting damage to the blood vessels of the heart and brain
  • damage to the lungs, liver, and kidney damage
  • high blood pressure that can lead to heart attack or stroke
  • destruction of the nose tissue if a person snorts the drug
  • tooth decay and degeneration
  • respiratory problems if a person smokes the drug
  • infectious diseases, cellulitis, and abscesses at the injection site, if a person injects the drug
  • malnutrition and weight loss

Using the drug can lead to lowered inhibitions and behaviors that put the person in danger.

Chronic use or an overdose can lead to convulsions, stroke, and heart attack. It can even be fatal.

Oral decay

People who regularly use crystal meth may develop tooth decay, cracked or broken teeth, or gum disease.

Several factors contribute to tooth decay in people who use crystal meth:

  • They frequently grind and clench their teeth while high.
  • The use of the drug tends to dry the mouth, reducing the levels of protective saliva.
  • They experience a high and may crave sugary drinks.
  • People often neglect oral hygiene during the long-lasting euphoric period.

Crystal meth produces feelings of euphoria for up to 12 hoursTrusted Source, and people crave its powerful effects again and again.

However, after several uses, the same dose no longer has the same effect. A person develops drug tolerance and needs moreTrusted Source of the drug to achieve the same effect.

A person can develop a substance use disorder after using meth only a few times.

In time, the need for the high becomes more important than other factors in the person’s life, while the use of the drug increasingly achieves only a break from withdrawal symptoms. If a person tries to break the cycle, they will experience withdrawal symptoms.

The psychological symptoms may continue for a while, even after a person’s blood is free of the drug.

This is because crystal meth, like some other drugs, changes the person’s brain chemistry. Moreover, a person may use meth to cope with other problems, such as depression, boredom, or sexual dysfunction.

Some withdrawal symptoms that a person may experience include:

The person will likely also experience emotional turmoil and strong cravings for some time.

These symptoms can last for days or weeks, depending on how long the individual has used crystal meth.

Substance use disorder is a medical diagnosis that warrants medical treatment. It is not a moral failing, and people cannot think or will their way out of it.

Instead, treatment focuses on:

  • managing physical withdrawal symptoms
  • supporting a person to manage the underlying issues that led to the harmful use of crystal meth
  • cultivating healthier coping skills

Drug rehabilitation programs can help people through the withdrawal process, allowing them to achieve their goals related to crystal meth use.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not currently approved any drugs that can help with methamphetamine dependence.

However, the National Institutes of Health (NIH)Trusted Source stated in 2021 that clinical trials found a combination of two drugs, injectable naltrexone and oral bupropion, to be a safe and effective treatment for adults with moderate to severe methamphetamine use disorder.

Behavioral therapy programs, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, lifestyle changes, family therapy, and 12-step programs, may also be effective.

Incentive programs that offer rewards for remaining drug-free may also be helpful.

A doctor may prescribe medication for withdrawal symptoms, such as depression or anxiety. A person with severe withdrawal symptoms may need to go through a medical detox program, where a doctor can monitor them and treat any symptoms as they appear.

For anyone concerned about a loved one who may have a substance use disorder, NIDA provides information and guidanceTrusted Source about what to do.

Crystal meth has no medical use, and it carries a high risk of physical and psychological dependence.

Prolonged use can cause serious health issues, including lasting damage to the heart and brain. It may also affect a person’s relationships, finances, and future.

Regardless of why a person uses crystal meth or for how long, treatment is possible. It is best to contact a doctor or specialist who deals with substance use disorders for support.