What Does Real Meth Look, Smell and Taste Like?
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Identifying Meth, Addiction and Treatment Options
Meth is a highly addictive stimulant drug prevalent across the US and beyond. It makes users feel very awake, and they often become obsessive about seemingly unimportant tasks. This is because meth affects dopamine, a chemical in your brain, quickly increasing the amount available to your dopamine receptors.
The exact time meth affects you as a user varies depending on how you consume it. Compared to other drugs, though, meth is fast acting.
Because meth acts quickly and intensely but doesn’t last very long, it can lead to a binge and crash cycle. This means taking the drug regularly over a long period to prolong its pleasurable effects. Of course, these effects have a downside, like poor emotional control, not eating or drinking enough water, damaging personal and professional relationships, and more. In fact, meth can lead to psychosis even with only short or medium-term use, and in the long run, it can seriously affect your physical and mental health. Meth users experience high blood pressure, tooth decay, depression, and addiction.
If you’re worried a loved one might be using meth, or are concerned about your own meth use, reach out to Zinnia Healing to discover our unique treatment process. No is not in our vocabulary. We are committed to caring for all our patients with a people-first approach that centers around your individual needs.
Identifying Meth
With overdose deaths rising sharply over the last five years, it’s evident that an increasing number of Americans are turning to meth as a salve for difficult issues or being dragged into drug culture because it seems so normal. Meth is also reasonably easy to synthesize. Meth ingredients include cold medicines with pseudoephedrine and cleaning products. This means meth manufacturing occurs in meth labs in homes, mobile homes, or even cars or vans all over the country.
Unfortunately, identifying meth isn’t always simple, as it comes in a few forms.
Types of Meth
Generally, meth comes as a powder or in crystal, pill, or liquid form. Most or all of these forms of meth are readily available across the USA. Overall, a shocking 15 million Americans use meth in a given year, partially because it is so readily available in various types.
Crystal Meth
Crystal meth is probably the most well-known form of the drug. It is also usually the purest and strongest. This kind of meth looks like shards of ice or chunks of broken safety glass — this is what has earned it the nicknames or ‘street names’ “ice,” “glass,” and “rock.” When people smoke meth, it is usually in crystal form.
Powdered Meth
Powdered meth dissolves very easily in water or alcohol, though the powder itself can range from fine to coarse. It comes in a variety of colors depending on the additives used. These include white, brown, orange, yellow-gray, and pink. Powdered meth is usually consumed through snorting.
Pills and Tablets
Occasionally, doctors prescribe methamphetamine for ADHD or Narcolepsy. This medicine is called Desoxyn, and it shouldn’t be used by anyone who doesn’t have a prescription.
Of course, like many prescription medications, Desoxyn is often abused. Law enforcement will take the use of a prescription drug that has not been prescribed to you as seriously as possessing illegal street drugs.
Powdered meth can also be pressed into pills to be sold as party drugs. These can be sold as meth, ‘yaba’ (a combination of meth and caffeine), or falsely distributed as other drugs such as MDMA.
Liquid Meth
Usually, meth is only turned into a liquid to transport it. This involves dissolving the drug in water. It ends up as a dark yellow liquid.
What Does Meth Smell Like?
If you’re worried a loved one is using methamphetamine, one of the warning signs may be the smell of the drug. Combined with erratic behavior, lack of sleep, and other symptoms of meth use, knowing what meth smells like could be key to helping.
If you suspect someone you care about might suffer from substance abuse issues, get in touch with Zinnia Healing today. We have treatment and detox centers all over the country; look at the options for yourself or your loved one here.
Unfortunately, the specific scent of methamphetamine is hard to pin down. Some say it has no odor, while others say it smells sweet with a bitter edge. The bitterness is usually a chemical tang, as the drug contains various chemicals.
As there is often acetone, ammonia, and hydrochloric acid involved in producing meth, it may smell like:
- Cat urine
- Rotten eggs
- Vinegar
- Burning plastic
- Bleach
- Fertilizer
- Paint thinner
- Solvents
What Does Meth Taste Like?
Taste and smell are closely connected, so meth often tastes similar to how it smells. Users describe it as sharp, acrid, and chemical-like or sometimes say that meth has a bitter taste. There have been increasing reports of flavored meth, which means the taste and smell of meth may not be as expected.
The Dangers of Flavored Meth
It is possible to flavor meth. This is mainly an attempt to cover up chemical flavors and make meth more appealing and easier to consume. Some reports imply this is to attract younger users, but it is more likely a gimmick to appeal to newer users of any age.
Flavors tend to be sugary and strong – like candy flavors – to hide the bitter aftertaste of methamphetamine.
What Does Meth Do?
Are you unsure whether or not a loved one is using meth? If you can’t identify methamphetamine use from the look and smell of the drug, you should be on the lookout for the effects of meth. These include behaviors like:
- Extreme levels of energy
- Unusual alertness and focus
- Increased chattiness
- Reduced appetite and weight loss
- Paranoia
- Erratic behavior
- Dilated pupils
- Rapid breathing
- Tooth and gum decay, known as meth mouth
- Sweating
- Picking at skin and hair
As meth abuse becomes a bigger problem in a user’s life, its effects will become more prominent and begin to interfere with their day-to-day activities.
As well as being aware of the changes meth use can cause in family, friends and loved ones, you should also look out for methamphetamine withdrawal. This happens when meth use is stopped suddenly without professional help. In this situation, your loved one will seem slow, be disengaged from life, and show signs of depression and extreme irritation.
Finding Treatment for Meth Addiction
Whether for yourself or a loved one, there is no shame in seeking help dealing with meth misuse. It is a highly addictive and readily available drug, and even casual users can quickly become dependent.
The faster you find help to treat addiction, the better your chances are for recovery. Get in touch today to discuss how Zinnia Healing can help you.
If you believe that you or a loved one has a methamphetamine addiction, Zinnia Healing is here. Our recovery centers offer addiction treatment and supportive care at our inpatient facilities to help you quit for good. We also provide group counseling and outpatient services to help curb the cravings for drugs and alcohol. Call our helpline 24/7 at (855) 430-9439 to get started.