How Does Prescription Meth Differ From Illicit Meth?

What Are the Forms of Meth?

Before figuring out the forms of meth, it’s important to understand the different types of methamphetamines, including a prescription medication. Most often, Desoxyn is prescribed to children or teenagers to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, as a treatment of last resort if other options haven’t worked. It’s avoided whenever possible because the drug, methamphetamine hydrochloride, is a Schedule II controlled substance and considered to have a high potential for abuse, dependence, and addiction.

Desoxyn is also sometimes prescribed to obese people who haven’t lost weight with other treatments as a short-term treatment in addition to a low-calorie diet. However, just like its use for ADHD, it’s usually only prescribed if other treatment options have failed because it can be an addictive substance.

But Desoxyn is just one example of the different forms of methamphetamine today. Meth is a central nervous system stimulant and a synthetic substance that causes a rush of energy and euphoria. Typically, it comes in three forms:

• A white powder that is odorless and bitter.
• Small chunks or “crystals” of pure methamphetamine.
• “Rocks,” or larger chunks of meth.

Illicit meth is usually smoked, snorted, or injected, while it can also come in a pill form.

What Are Prescription Stimulants?

Among the different types of methamphetamines is Desoxyn, a prescription medication with methamphetamine. There are many other examples of prescription medications that are stimulants, and most often, these medicines are used to improve concentration and attention for people with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Stimulant medications are also prescribed for weight loss and to treat certain other conditions, such as narcolepsy.

ADHD medications like Adderall and Ritalin are well-known examples of prescription stimulants. Several diet aids or medications are prescribed to obese patients who need help losing weight, including Didrex, Bontril, Preludin, Fastin, Adipex P, Ionamin, and Meridia.

Like with Desoxyn, some of these prescription stimulants have a high potential for abuse or addiction, which is why stimulants are closely controlled and monitored. High doses of stimulants can cause serious medical emergencies, including dangerously high blood pressure or body temperature, seizures, psychotic episodes, heart attacks, and strokes. Stimulants are also commonly involved in fatal drug overdoses.

These same dangers are present in non-prescription stimulants—illegal or illicit substances like methamphetamine, cocaine, and synthetic substances commonly sold as “bath salts.” Most often, people who are using illegal stimulants will take a pill or snort, smoke, or inject it to get a rush of energy and euphoria. However, stimulants can also cause overdoses, hallucinations, dangerous body temperatures, and other serious medical problems in addition to being extremely addictive.

How Do People Become Addicted to Meth?

The reason why methamphetamine is considered an especially dangerous illegal drug is because of its extremely high potential for addiction and abuse. It almost immediately affects the user’s central nervous system, causing them to feel intense “rushes” and waves of euphoria. These effects are considered to be self-reinforcing, meaning they can easily make someone want to take the drug again and again to feel these short-lived sensations once again.

All too easily, someone who experiments with methamphetamine will start to use more and more of it, often more than intended, as they chase those intense highs. They could soon spend substantial periods of their days looking for, using, or getting over the use of this drug. Even if they realize they have a problem and decide they want to quit or cut back, the intense, uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms that they can suffer just hours after last using the drug will often drive them to relapse sooner rather than later.

Because methamphetamine has a powerful effect on the brain, it can take a while for people to start to recover and get back on their feet. That’s why effective professional meth addiction help is a vital lifeline for many that can help people learn coping skills and relapse prevention techniques to stay on the road to recovery and avoid the temptation of using this deadly drug again.

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What Are the Short-Term Effects of Meth Use?

There are several effects of meth use that users will feel almost immediately:

• An intense “rush”
• A sense of euphoria
• Feeling alert
• Increased confidence
• High energy
• High sex drive
• Decreased appetite

Still, this euphoria and “rush” will dissipate quickly, and users will then experience a “crash” of depressed mood and energy. Many people try to avoid the crashes and maintain euphoria by binging the drug, which makes them extremely likely to develop addictions. Other health problems can happen almost immediately after using meth, such as paranoia, anxiety, racing heart, irregular heartbeats, strokes, high blood pressure, kidney damage, and even fatal overdoses.

The long-term health risks of meth use are heavy tolls on users’ bodies, including:

• Psychosis, hallucinations, or delusions
• Anxiety, confusion, and mood disturbances
• Insomnia
• Difficulty learning or concentrating
• Increased risks of bacterial infections (if injecting meth)
• Increased risks of HIV, hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections
• Strokes
• Heart failure
• Severe dental problems, including tooth decay and loss
• Decreased sexual health in men

Key Takeaways on Different Types of Methamphetamines

• The different types of methamphetamines include a prescription medication to treat ADHD and obesity.
• Illicit meth can come in several forms, including as a powder, crystal, or rock.
• Stimulants have a high risk of abuse and potential for addiction, which is why they’re closely regulated and monitored.
• Illegal stimulants like meth can cause a nearly instant and extremely powerful “rush,” leading many users to dependence and addiction.
• Methamphetamine has many short-term and long-term health impacts on users, and it can lead to significant medical issues and fatal overdoses.

The different types of meth can have legitimate medical uses, but many people have become addicted to this potent, powerful drug. If left untreated, meth addiction can destroy lives and lead to fatal overdoses or medical problems. Help is available at Resurgence Behavioral Health’s meth detox program in California and comprehensive addiction treatment options. Call Resurgence Behavioral Center at 855-458-0050 today to learn how we can get you on the road to recovery from meth addiction.

Resources

• United States Drug Enforcement Administration – Methamphetamine
• Nevada Attorney General – Forms of Meth
• National Institute on Drug Abuse – Methamphetamine
• United States Department of Justice/Drug Enforcement Administration – Stimulants Drug Fact Sheet