Onset
- Crash phase: within hours of last use
- Withdrawal: 1-4 days after last use
Duration
- 2-4 days
- Acute phase: 7-10 days
- Subacute phase: a further 2-4 weeks
Methamphetamine & other amphetamine-type stimulants
- Methamphetamine is a synthetic stimulant drug – a more potent form of the drug amphetamine. Amphetamines belong to a group of drugs called stimulants. Stimulants speed up the messages going between the brain and the body.
- There are different forms of methamphetamine, generally distinguished by their appearance and perceived purity:
- Crystalline (ice or crystalmeth) is a highly purified form of methamphetamine with a crystal-like appearance
- Powder (speed) and Base
- Some types of amphetamines are legally prescribed by doctors to treat medical conditions.
Onset & Duration
Clinical Features
- Cravings, dysphoria, anhedonia, increased appetite, fatigue, agitation, anxiety, increased sleep, vivid unpleasant dreams and slowing of movement
- Potential Complications
- Hallucinations - Visual or tactile transient hallucinations, paranoia, psychological disturbances, abnormal affect, auditory or visual delusions
- Seizures - Convulsions, sensory disturbances, loss of consciousness
- Agitation - Anger, aggression, irritability, violent outbursts
- Psychosis - Thought disorder and perceptual disturbances
Care & Treatment
Headaches
- Paracetamol (Panadol)
- Massage
Pronounced agitation or insomnia
-
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) may be useful for their sedative effects: Doxepin, Clomipramineb
- Benzodiazepines: Diazepam, Temazepam tablets* (*Risk/benefit analysis required due to propensity for misuse and exacerbation of depressive symptoms)
- Reduce coffee, tea, cola and energy drinks during the day and have none after 2 pm
- Eat 3 meals a day and avoid heavy, spicy meals late at night
- Avoid napping during the day and keep to regular bed and wake times
- Exercise regularly (in the day, not after 6 pm)
- Use relaxation techniques
- Avoid doing things (i.e. tough phone calls) that might upset you before going to sleep
- Have a bath in the evening
Aches and pains
- Ibuprofen
- Have a bath
- Use a heat rub/ wheat bag
- Do gentle exercise e.g. walking
- Massage
Cravings
- Remove ‘cues’ or reminders of use as these intensify craving.
- Keep busy, use distractions
- Focus on what is happening at the moment and take each hour and day as it comes. Thinking too far ahead can often be overwhelming and counterproductive.
Anxiety
- Use relaxation tapes
- Reduce caffeine intake
- Have a bath
- Do some gentle exercise
