What Is Blue Meth?
Blue meth was first popularized by the TV show Breaking Bad where the main character, Walter White, came up with a manufacturing process that allowed him to make an extremely pure form of crystal meth. In the show, the meth was said to have a purity of 99.1 percent, and it had a natural blue color. As the show popularized “blue sky” method, drug dealers in real life began claiming to have made it, but here’s what you really need to know about it.
Are you or someone you love struggling with meth addiction? Zinnia Health can give you the information you need about treatment. Make a no-obligation call to our helpline at (855) 430-9439 for answers to your questions.
Is Blue Meth Real?
Blue meth was popularized by the fictional TV show Breaking Bad, which ran from 2008 to 2013. During the height of the show’s popularity, there were questionable reports stating that drug traffickers in real life were selling blue crystal meth. However, the DEA has not noted any changes in the purity of meth available, and dyed meth is not known to be any purer than regular meth.
If someone is trying to sell you blue meth or any form of “pure meth,” you should think twice. Crystal methamphetamine typically has a higher purity than meth in other forms, but there is no chemical reason why purity would lead to meth looking blue in color.
Any meth that looks blue has been artificially tinted to look that way.
What Does Meth Look Like?
Meth use is never considered safe, but taking a “new form” of the drug that has been colored by an unknown ingredient is not a good idea. If you’re trying to identify meth, here is an explanation of the many forms it comes in.
1. Powdered Meth
Powdered meth is a crystalline powder that is often packaged into small baggies. The powder itself can be snorted, but some individuals dissolve the meth in a mixture of water and alcohol so that they can inject it for faster absorption. Some people may also mix the powder with a liquid, such as an alcoholic drink, and swallow it.
In its powdered form, meth can easily be mistaken for cocaine as it has a similar white or off-white color. However, powdered meth can also be very coarse, almost resembling chalk dust.
Certain manufacturing processes and materials can change the color of powdered meth to pink, red, green, or a number of other shades. For instance, some meth is produced using a certain gun-cleaning product, and that meth turns out green.
2. Crystal Meth
Powdered meth can be turned into crystal meth, which may resemble rock salt, quartz, or glass fragments. To make crystal meth, drug manufacturers dissolve the meth powder into a solvent, usually acetone or denatured alcohol. Once the liquid evaporates, clear chunks of crystals form around the edge of the container. Crystal meth is typically smoked or injected.
Due to the manufacturing process, crystal meth is more potent than powdered meth. This means the high will last longer and a person taking it will also feel more intense effects. In large amounts, crystal meth can cause very undesirable side effects like violence, hallucinations, and paranoia.
3. Meth Tablets
Methamphetamine hydrochloride, also known as Desoxyn, is the only non-illicit form of meth on the market. This prescription drug is sometimes used to treat ADHD in patients who have not responded to any other treatment option.
While the medical use is very limited and Desoxyn is considered less favorable compared to drugs like Ritalin, it is still used. Unfortunately, prescription pills may be diverted to the illicit market or sold second-hand by someone who has a prescription.
Another type of meth tablet available on the market is known as “yaba.” Yaba is an illicit form of the substance, and it consists of about 30 percent methamphetamine. Yaba also contains high amounts of caffeine. These tablets are small and typically green or reddish-orange in color and may be stamped with the letters WY or R.
4. Liquid Meth
To help evade law enforcement, drug smugglers will sometimes dissolve meth in water so that they can transport it as a liquid. Liquid meth will look like a dark yellow fluid, and it may have a syrup-like consistency.
This form of meth is sometimes sold in liquor bottles on the street or another common container that can be easily disguised or dismissed. However, liquid meth can also be boiled back into powder or crystal form before it’s sold.
The Dangers of Methamphetamine
One form of meth might be purer than another, but all meth contains impurities and those impurities can be dangerous. It’s also important to remember that while the TV show Breaking Bad focused on pure meth being able to deliver a superior high, the reality is that meth of that purity would cause a number of overdoses.
Meth in any form can lead to dangerous side effects such as the following:
- Changes in breathing
- Irregular or rapid heart rate
- Elevated body temperature
- Changes in mood
- Trouble remembering things
- Severe dental problems
- Aggression and violence
- Psychosis (losing contact with reality)
Overcoming meth addiction on your own can feel impossible. Zinnia Health can help. With personalized addiction treatment services provided by our caring staff, we can get you back to what matters. Call our helpline 24/7 at (855) 430-9439 to get started.
Treatment Options for Meth Addiction
Meth is a potent and highly addicting substance. If you or a loved one is suffering from drug abuse, there are ways to get help. Substance abuse takes a great toll on mental health, which is why signing up for a holistic recovery program is important.
Here are some of the options available to help you recover from meth abuse:
- Inpatient treatment at a hospital
- Inpatient treatment at a residential recovery center
- Intensive outpatient treatment with daily appointments
- Outpatient treatment with less frequent appointments
Your healthcare provider can answer your questions about drug addiction and recovery in a confidential setting and help you understand your options. You can also call a recovery center’s helpline if you’d like to speak directly to a recovery specialist.
How Zinnia Health Can Help
Blue meth might not exist in the real world, but methamphetamine addiction remains a serious issue. If you or someone you love is ready to receive treatment, going through the meth detox process is the very first step.
At Zinnia Health, our caring team can guide you through this process and lead you into a customized treatment program that meets your needs.
If you’re ready to take the next step toward addiction recovery, Zinnia Health can help. Our recovery specialists are standing by to answer your questions and help you get on the path to a life free from addiction. Call our helpline any time, day or night, at (855) 430-9439 to get the information you need.
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