Australia has high rates of methamphetamine use—more than any other English-speaking nation. According to the National Drug Strategy Household Survey, nearly 7% of the entire population have tried the drug. That’s 1.3 million people.
The number of meth users in Australia is significantly higher compared to the that of the US, which is only at 0.4%. Of all the at-risk populations, the youth are the most vulnerable., as figures show that 1.4% of 14-year-olds and over have used ice in the past year alone.
Educating yourself on the nature of ice addiction, its harmful side effects on people, and the available support services will enable you to help someone live a substance-free life.
Methamphetamine is a highly potent stimulant known for its euphoric effects. The drug comes in different forms: from pills and odorless powders to oily brown substances. However, none are as potent as crystal meth, which is also known as ice.
Crystal meth looks like small clear crystals, hence the name. Ice is a purer and stronger form of methamphetamine. That’s because it is a stimulant drug. According to the Alcohol and Drug Foundation, continued use of ice can result in more harmful effects than powdered meth, which is also known as speed.
Ice, unlike speed and other base forms of the drug, is usually made with little to no additives, giving users a long, lingering euphoria that can last up to 24 hours. People may feel various side effects when they’re coming down from their use of ice. Hallucinations, dizziness, blurred visions, irritability, and exhaustion are some of them, according to the Alcohol and Drug Foundation.
The effects of ice aren’t always predictable because quality control isn’t really a priority in the production of this illegal drug. If it gets mixed with other substances, people who use the drug may experience varying effects.
Some of the symptoms of potential overdose are extreme agitation, panic attacks, chest pain, dehydration, seizures, unconsciousness, and stroke. Make sure to contact health services if someone is exhibiting these symptoms.
All forms of methamphetamine will give its users a rush of energy. However, the speed and strength of this “rush” vary. The same goes for the risks. People who use ice, for instance, are bound to experience stronger, fast-acting effects. This can lead to binges, where a person takes another dose as the effects of a previous dose of the drug begin to wear off.
People who use crystal methamphetamine can quickly get addicted to the drug if they are in it for the rush. The more they use ice, the higher their tolerance levels will get. That means they will need to take higher doses to achieve the same kind of high. The higher the dose and the more frequent the drug use, the greater their risk of ice addiction.
Ice is addictive because it directly impacts your body’s release of hormones like dopamine and serotonin. Dopamine regulates reasoning, movements, and happiness. Serotonin, meanwhile, also elicits pleasure.
From the moment a person smokes ice, these hormones are instantly bolstered. Neurological studies show that ice can increase dopamine levels by as much as 1,000%.
They get a sense of euphoria and drive. They suddenly enjoy the environment around them and feel like they can achieve anything. These effects last from 8 to 24 hours. But when the effects wear off, the person will suddenly experience a deficit of these neurotransmitters and will be compelled to use it again. In most cases, they need to another dose to be able to function.
People who feel depressed, have low family support, or don’t feel particularly happy when they are not high are particularly vulnerable.
Continued use of ice deteriorates the brain’s natural ability to produce ‘happy’ hormones. Eventually, the person will need a hit of ice to simply get through the day. They may feel that they need ice to go about daily activities like working, studying, socializing and even just interacting with other people.
This state of dependence can damage areas of the brain that control physical movements and reactions to everyday life.
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