Amphetamines & Methamphetamines

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Speed (amphetamines)

(Street names:- Speed, whiz, uppers, amph, billy, sulphate, grudge, dexys, blues, base, ups, wake ips, bennies, dexies, black beauties, jollies, crazy medicine, yaba and crazy horse)

The 'psychotic' effects of 'Meth'.
 

Amphetamines are man-made drugs that have a bitter taste and usually come as white, greyish white, pale pink or yellow powder, and sometimes as a brightly coloured tablet. Amphetamines can be snorted, swallowed, injected, dissolved in a drink or smoked. 

Amphetamines can also come in a liquid form, which is injected into the body. The most common form of the drug is amphetamine sulphate, commonly known as speed. The purity of the drug is usually only about 5%, with the rest mixed with other white powders, ranging from talcum powder to toilet cleaner. As a result, it is said to be one of the most impure drugs available. 

Amphetamines are usually sold in wraps like cocaine. The powder is off-white or pinkish and can sometimes look like small crystals. Base speed is purer and is a pinkish-grey colour and feels like putty. Prescription amphetamines like dexamphetamine are usually small white pills. 

Speed is either dabbed onto the gums or sniffed in lines like cocaine using a rolled up bank note. Sometimes it’s rolled up in a cigarette paper & swallowed. This is called a speed bomb. It can be mixed in drinks, or injected. 

The effects kick in after about half an hour if ingested but much quicker if injected or smoked (methamphetamine) & can last up to six hours. It all depends on the quality of the speed. The high is followed by a long slow comedown. 

Speed makes people feel wide awake, excited and chatty. Clubbers take it because it gives them the energy to dance for hours without getting knackered. It was also once the main ingredient in diet pills because it stops people feeling hungry. 

There is, unfortunately, a ‘flip side’. It’s impossible to sit still or sleep on speed. The come down can make users feel irritable and depressed and can last for one or two days. 

Speed makes people feel panicky. Sniff a lot in a short space of time & expect hallucinations. 

Regular use of speed will result in the development of a tolerance, requiring larger quantities to experience the same ‘high’. This can lead to addiction. 

Anyone who takes amphetamines for long enough may suffer from paranoia, delusions and hallucinations, as well as risking infections such as hepatitis and HIV through contaminated needles. Some users become tense & anxious after taking speed and can be tired & depressed for several days. High repeated doses could lead to panic attacks, hallucinations and also place a serious strain on the heart.

As with many other illicit substances, the risk of developing serious mental illnesses is high. Psychotic side effects can lead to permanent damage and irreversible psychoses. In some cases, Schizophrenia can result. 

Meth...& how it is made.

Ice - Methamphetamine

Bag of Ice (Meth)

Methamphetmine effects on the Brain

Speed

Whizz

Meth 'home' lab.

Bedroom Lab for Meth production

Meth in foil

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Amphetamines & Methamphetamines - effects on the Brain

Click here for Amphetamine/Methamphetamine 'Fact Sheet'

Should you have concerns regarding any issue relating to your 'mental or physical well-being', 'Kick off' strongly recommend you seek professional assistance. This may entail contacting your GP or similar clinician (Psychologist, Psychiatrist, Counsellor etc.). You may also contact the appropriate agency or service that might assist you. Irrespective of your choice, ensure you see someone who might help.