Crystal Meth (Ice): Fast Facts, Hazards and Health Impacts

Clinically Reviewed by Matt Hawk ICAADC, CACII, Written by Karen Hadley

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Crystal Meth: Fast Facts

When methamphetamine is further refined and allowed to crystallize, that final product is referred to as “ice” or “crystal meth." In either powder or crystal form, meth is a powerful and addictive stimulant sold on the illicit market. In other instances substances may be added to the meth to increase the weight and cause it to look like crystal.

Most forms of methamphetamine can be smoked, but in its pure form, it produces a very strong effect. It will look like small pieces of glass with sharp edges. Common street names for ice include crystal, glass, Tina, shards, quartz, hot ice, shabu, chalk, crank, ice cream, tweak, L.A. glass or crystal glass.

Powdered meth may be smoked, snorted, ingested or dissolved for injection. Ice will look like shards of glass, either clear or dirty-looking. The person who has been abusing ice may leave small glass pipes lying around, or leave behind small plastic bags that contained the crystals. Often a type of gas bought for plumbing called MAPP gas, sold in a yellow bottle, is used to blow pipes for smoking meth. Meth smokers also need a very powerful lighter or torch.

Meth is available across the United States, Europe, East and Southeast Asia, Africa, Afghanistan and Australia. Much of the ice in the US comes from large-scale methamphetamine labs in Mexico. Most small-scale methamphetamine cooks in this country are using the “shake and bake” method which produces the less-pure powder meth or they are converting liquid meth to the powder or crystal form.

What Happens When Ice Is Smoked?

The first effect is a brief, intense rush. The user will feel euphoria, excitement and a sense of well-being that can last as long as twelve hours, depending on which way the drug was consumed. The person will feel alert and confident. Their energy will be high. Consuming more meth will keep this state going as long as ice supplies last or until the person collapses from exhaustion.

How is Ice Used?

Ice is used by placing the substance in a glass pipe, heating it, and inhaling the resulting vapors. The vapors enter the bloodstream directly through the lungs and are rapidly transported to the brain. Since ice is odorless, it can easily be used in public without being detected. In addition to its use for recreational purposes, ice is often used in the workplace to increase alertness and endurance.

Adverse Effects of Ice Use

Ice users are likely to stay awake for several days at a time. They will be inclined to skip meals for as long as they are high on meth. They may lose a lot of weight to the point that they become underweight and unhealthy. When the ice wears off, users are likely to feel depressed and anxious.

The ice user may exhibit a noticeable rise in body temperature. There will be a sped-up heart rate. The user may suffer sores in various places on the body. The person may pick at their skin because of hallucinations that bugs are crawling under their skin. This can result in broken skin and sores, particularly on the face and arms.

After extended use, the user will probably appear gaunt and prematurely aged. The ice smoker who gets too much of the drug can get overheated and even suffer convulsions and uncontrollable movements.

The impurities contained in the drug can be corrosive and damaging. Use can cause inflammation of the heart and can severely damage the teeth, requiring full dentures as replacements. Meth use also can damage blood vessels, due to its stimulating effect that raises blood pressure and body temperature. This can increase the risk of strokes.

Heavy users can become paranoid and even experience psychotic episodes. The drug can also cause tremors,

A person smoking ice is likely to neglect their children, and they may abuse them or endanger them. Some people who have smoked ice have attacked children or family members in a paranoid rage, sometimes resulting in death. After a study of 60 child fatalities, methamphetamine use was identified in one-quarter of the cases.

The Connection Between the Use of Ice and Crime

Reports from the Drug Enforcement Administration state that roughly 30% of their drug arrests are for methamphetamine-related offenses. One report from the San Diego region reported that three-quarters of both men and women arrested also tested positive for illicit drugs, with methamphetamine and marijuana being the most common.

A person using ice heavily and for a long time is likely to suffer paranoia, hallucinations and violent behavior. These characteristics will predispose many people to criminal actions, especially if they need money to maintain their addiction. Also, a person high on meth may feel confident that they can successfully commit a crime because they are suffering from delusions. Their delusions can also provide them with a justification for the crime.

Addiction to Methamphetamine in Either Form

Those who use ice or powder methamphetamine can quickly become addicted. According to statistics from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately two-thirds of those who use any form of meth become addicted to it.

How Does Ice Compare to Crack Cocaine?

Ice is a potent, smokable form of methamphetamine, while crack is a crystallized form of cocaine that can also be smoked. The substances are smoked in a similar fashion and both provide the user with an immediate, intense high and increased alertness. Unlike the 15-to-30 minute high produced from using crack, the high from smoking ice can last from 8 to 24 hours, depending on how it was consumed.

Crystal Meth and Methamphetamine: What You Need to Know

Methamphetamine wreaks havoc on millions of lives. Download this booklet to get the facts about meth.

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Can a Person Addicted to Methamphetamine Recover?

Yes. A very thorough drug rehabilitation program is required. Their best chance comes from a long-term, residential program to give them a chance to get away from the drug and really learn how to live drug-free in the future.

The Narconon drug and alcohol rehabilitation program has had success helping those addicted to ice learn how to live drug-free again. An essential component of the Narconon recovery program is the Narconon New Life Detoxification. This action uses a low-heat sauna, generous nutritional supplements and moderate daily exercise to flush old, stored drug toxins out of the body. These stored toxins have been found to be involved in the triggering of cravings, even years after drug use has ceased.

According to a recent peer-reviewed study, the combination of nutrition and sauna in the New Life Detoxification helps alleviate post-acute withdrawal symptoms as well as reduce cravings.

Recovering addicts often state that their cravings are relieved after this step. This is a vital part of learning to live a productive, enjoyable life without ice.

If you are trying to help someone who is addicted to ice, call today to find out how Narconon can help.