Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine is part of the amphetamine drug family - a group of drugs that stimulate the central nervous system (amphetamine-type stimulants). Methamphetamine can be swallowed, snorted, smoked, or injected. Methamphetamine produces desired and undesired effects on the body. The initial effects last for 2 to 12 hours (depending on how much is consumed) but it can take days for the drug to leave the body. There are also undesired or harmful effects that can persist for months to years after cessation of methamphetamine use. Methamphetamine affects movement of the body in both the short and longer-term.
If you are concerned about the effect of methamphetamine on your movement or health, then speak to your doctor or GP clinic about your concerns.
For confidential telephone counselling, information, and referrals, call the Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS) 1300 13 1340 (local free call) any day between 8:30 am and 10:00 pm. ADIS is staffed by trained professionals with experience in the alcohol and other drug field.
Why does methamphetamine affect movement?
Methamphetamine causes abnormally high levels of a chemical in the brain called dopamine. Abnormally high levels of this brain chemical damage neurons (cells) in the brain that are important for movement. Evidence has shown that using methamphetamine, or other stimulant drugs such as ecstasy, can have long-lasting effects on your movement.
Using these drugs as few as five times can lead to a noticeable tremor or shaking in your hands, decreased coordination, and problems using your hands to complete tasks, such as using your phone. Using methamphetamine also increases the risk of developing an uncurable movement disorder called Parkinson’s disease later in life.
What are the other undesired or harmful
effects of methamphetamine on the body?
The short-term
effects include:
- dry mouth and reduced appetite
- increased heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing
- increased pupil size and blurred vision
The longer-term
effects include:
- changes to brain function, which may be permanent
- dependence
- mood swings that can affect daily life
- depression
- poorer concentration and memory
- sleep problems
- psychosis – hearing voices, imagining things, hallucinations, and delusions (false beliefs)
- increased risk of stroke
Some people who use methamphetamine on a regular basis may also experience heart, lung, and kidney problems; malnutrition; dental problems; skin problems, and increased risk of infection.
People who use regularly may also experience social, legal, financial, and/or emotional problems.
Someone who is experiencing an overdose may also experience one or more of the following symptoms:
- increased body temperature and dehydration
- irregular heartbeat
- chest pain
- headache and dizziness
- seizures
- nausea and vomiting
- paranoid thoughts and hallucinations (seeing, hearing or feeling things that don’t exist)
- aggressive and unpredictable behaviour
Contact someone now
If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these overdose symptoms, phone 000 immediately for medical assistance.
call nowIt is always safer not to use illicit drugs.
The risks of using methamphetamine can be reduced by:
- not injecting the drug (to reduce injecting-related harms, including blood-borne virus infection and transmission) Those who choose to continue injecting should try to use safe injection practices
- using smaller amounts less often
- avoiding regular use
- avoiding using methamphetamine with other drugs, particularly other stimulant drugs
- not using methamphetamine when you are alone, to reduce the risk of overdose
- drink lots of water or other fluid
If you are concerned about the effect of methamphetamine on your movement or health, then speak to your doctor or GP clinic about your concerns.
For more information about methamphetamine, and finding help for alcohol and drug problems, visit the Know Your Options homepage.
For confidential telephone counselling, information, and referrals, call the Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS) 1300 13 1340 (local call free) any day between 8:30 am and 10:00 pm. ADIS is staffed by trained professionals with experience in the alcohol and other drug field.
Information about methamphetamine and treatment options can be found at:
- Know Your Options
- Alcohol and Drug Information Service
- Don’t Let Meth Take Hold fact sheet
- Methamphetamine | SA Health
- What is Methamphetamine | SA Health (PDF)
- Harmful Drug Use | SA Health
- Methamphetamines – your questions and answers (PDF 177KB)
- Methamphetamine – one-page fact sheet, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre
- Cracks in the Ice: Crystal Methamphetamine - handbook, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre
Information for health professionals
- Health worker fact sheet
- Clinical tools
- Substance withdrawal management
- Amphetamine withdrawal management
- Substance misuse and dependence
- Management of acute presentations related to methamphetamine use clinical guidelines for adults and adolescents (PDF 509KB) (2019)
- Management of patients presenting with acute methamphetamine-related problems: evidence summary (PDF 360KB) (2017)
Screening resources to enable a quick diagnosis of stimulant use in primary health care
The ‘Don’t Let Meth Take Hold’ campaign advertisements were developed by researchers at the University of South Australia.
