What Is Pink Meth?
Methamphetamine is primarily sold as a crystalline powder or as crystal meth, which might resemble glass fragments or rock salt. Pure meth is typically white or off-white or has a bluish-white hue, but certain additives in the manufacturing process can lead to various colors, resulting in pink meth. Sometimes drug dealers claim that pink meth is more potent, but there’s no evidence of that claim.
It’s true that crystal meth can sometimes have a colored tint to it, but colored meth like pink meth shouldn’t be misconstrued as a sweeter or purer form of the drug.
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 24/7 at (855) 430-9439 for answers to your questions.
Is Pink Meth Real?
When the TV show Breaking Bad became popular in the late 2000s, there was an uptick in blue meth sales like the blue meth featured on the show. However, while drug dealers may have claimed that it had a purity level of 99% (like in the series), it was actually no purer than any other meth on the market.
Similarly, pink meth might be sold as more potent or pure than other colors of meth, but that’s merely a ploy to sell more.
In reality, color can be added in a variety of ways and it often happens accidentally during the methamphetamine manufacturing process. For instance:
- Pink meth is often the result of a manufacturing process that starts with the over-the-counter drug Sudafed. Since this drug is dyed red, that color can sometimes come through in the meth.
- Pink meth can also be caused when the manufacturing process uses anhydrous ammonia that has been treated with GloTell, which is a chemical marker that’s supposed to be a theft deterrent. In other words, pink meth is sometimes a sign that the drug dealer stole the ingredients to make it.
- Lastly, pink meth could simply be made with the addition of red coloring.
Because there are various reasons why meth might be pink, it’s unknown whether the pink color makes it any more dangerous to consume.
However, we do know for sure that pink methamphetamine is no purer than any other type of meth — and it might actually be less refined.
What Is Strawberry Quik Meth?
In the mid-2000s, there was a rumor passed around about “strawberry quik meth.”
- The rumor was perpetrated by online posts and emails claiming that a new form of crystal methamphetamine had been created using Nesquik strawberry-flavored powder.
- Further, claims were made that the pink meth had a sweet flavor. Others stated that this new form of meth resembled pop rocks or rock candy and was being pushed on young adults.
- While it was still supposedly being sold as meth — a highly addictive and dangerous substance — people claimed that its strawberry flavor would convince young people to try it.
In reality, authorities quickly looked into the matter and never found any evidence of the drug’s existence. The DEA also sought the person who started the rumor and traced it back to a person who said they were trying to raise awareness about crystal meth.
The strawberry meth myth is still sometimes passed around, but it’s important not to fall for these schemes.
If you or someone you love is struggling with meth abuse, Zinnia Health can help. With personalized addiction treatment services provided by our caring staff, we can help you find the treatment option that’s right for you. Call our helpline 24/7 at (855) 430-9439 to get started.
How Can You Tell If Meth Is Fake?
Real meth can come in many colors, but unfortunately, methamphetamine addiction isn’t the only concern that users need to face. With an uptick of fake meth on the market, meth users need to be acutely aware of what they’re consuming and where it’s coming from.
1. Identifying Meth
Pure meth can be hard to visually distinguish from fake meth.
- In powdered form, real meth is white or off-white in color with a bitter taste and no smell.
- In crystal form, meth can have a clear or bluish-white hue.
Aside from coloring meth and claiming that it’s purer or stronger, drug dealers may also cut meth with cheaper substances in order to increase their profits.
Some of the substances meth can be cut with include bath salts and fentanyl. Both can lead to severe and unpredictable side effects, including accidental overdose.
2. Testing Meth
If you have a substance abuse treatment center or sharps collection program near you, you may be able to get free drug test kits. These kits are provided as part of the CDC’s harm reduction strategy.
These kits allow you to take a sample from batches of drugs and check for unknown additives, including fentanyl and opioids.
While a test kit can’t prove that meth is pure (since there are many potential additives that won’t show on the test), it can prove that certain other substances have been added.
Side Effects of Meth Use
Meth abuse can lead to a number of health problems in the long run, but knowing the immediate side effects of methamphetamine use can help you identify whether you or a loved one used real meth or something else.
The side effects of meth include:
- Euphoric feelings
- Rushes of energy
- Faster breathing
- Faster heart rate
- Increased blood pressure
- Raised body temperature
Taking meth doesn’t typically lead to immediate fatigue, delirium, paranoia, hallucinations, or intense violence. These symptoms could be a sign that the meth was laced with bath salts or another psychoactive substance, in which case professional help is needed, as these drugs are easy to overdose on.
If you ever suspect someone has accidentally consumed an illicit drug or they are at risk of overdosing, you should get medical help right away.
While opioid overdoses can sometimes be reversed with naloxone, a bath salts overdose is not reversible, so getting help quickly could save a life.
How Zinnia Health Can Help
Methamphetamine abuse is a serious condition, and the detox process in itself can feel extremely challenging. If you need help quitting meth, it’s time to get into a treatment program where you can get the support necessary to get you on the track to better health.
At Zinnia Health, we offer:
- One-on-one therapy
- Group counseling
- Mental health services
- Caring support staff
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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