Recent newspaper articles revealed that Methamphetamine in its crystal form [known as crystal meth] is in Great Britain and is here to stay. Considerable amounts were offered for sale to undercover reporters by two Lithuanian men in a Liverpool hotel including 1 kilo for £18,000.
Made from a wide mixture of ingredients widely available over the counter, the drug is said to be twice as addictive as heroin and far more health damaging than crack cocaine. .
Crystal Meth is a very powerful form of speed that can last from 2 to 12 hours. It is hugely addictive.
Crystal Meth looks like small ice crystals. It is usually smoked like crack. It can be eaten, snorted (inhaled through the nose) or injected.
Crystal Meth floods its user’s brains with dopamine, It produces a rush at first which is initially like crack. The effects of it last much longer than crack does - from 2 to 12 hours.
Eventually the drug wears off and leaves the brain depleted of dopamine, and therefore a horrendous comedown follows, said to be worse than any other. The more you use, the worse the comedown.
Addicts can become severely depressed, paranoid and anxious. In many cases this has lead to them becoming violent. Users become pale and gaunt. They can also suffer from so called "Meth- Mouth" where their gums rot and their teeth fall out.
Crystal Meth is an illegal class A drug. The maximum penalty for possession is 7 years in prison. For supply it is life in prison.
On the street, meth is known as, Ice, Tick, Shards or Crank. The main ingredient is pseudo ephedrine, found in many cold and flu remedies.
It is estimated that over 25 million people use meth worldwide. It is also a problem in Sweden, Finland, Slovakia, Latvia, The Czech Republic, and now, is here in Britain. Heroin and crack cocaine have blighted the lives of so many Are we really prepared for another narcotic cancer to blight many, many more?
Recovery from Crystal Meth
In Jan 2013 Chris celebrated
6 years sobriety following
a profound addiction
to Crystal Meth.
covers the 6 years of his journey and it is an inspiration to others wanting recovery
“My writing here is an honest reflection of what it was like for me to recover from a profound addiction to crystal meth. I won’t minimize the process. It was difficult. It was painful.
It is also the most worthwhile thing I ever did. If you are new to recovery or if you are looking for experience and hope that recovery from crystal meth addiction is possible, I encourage you to read this blog.May God bless you and keep you.”
Crystal Meth Q&A with
Mike Rizzo
Mike Rizzo is a recovering meth addict and certified substance abuse counsellor
As Manager of Crystal Meth Recovery Services at the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Centre he helps coordinate and expand multi-pronged efforts to help LGBT adults and youth who are using meth take their first steps toward recovery.