Identifying the Appearance, Smell and Taste of Meth
According to tested samples from different geographical locations in the United States, approximately 12-15% of stimulants including cocaine and methamphetamine also contain fentanyl.
While fentanyl was once associated with opioids, it has become increasingly present in other powdered substances as well. Unfortunately, many of us know someone who has overdosed (possibly fatally) from this drug.
With the increase of fentanyl found in street drugs, it’s more important than ever to be vigilant when using methamphetamine. Your best line of defense is being familiar with what meth looks like, both meth powder and crystal meth, performing fentanyl strip tests when possible, and having a plan of what to do in case of an overdose.
So, what does meth look like, smell like, and even taste like?
Keep reading to learn more about the appearance, smell, and taste of meth, how to test for fentanyl or other additives, and when to consider reaching out to a treatment facility like Purpose Healing if you decide that the risks associated with fentanyl contamination are no longer worth it.
Identifying Meth: Your First Line of Defense
Meth goes by many names on the street – crystal, speed, ice. It’s available as powdered meth, which may be snorted, and crystal meth, which is often smoked. It can also be changed into a liquid form and injected into the body. If you are struggling, identifying meth can reduce some of the risks of unknowingly ingesting fentanyl during meth use.
What Does Crystal Meth Look Like?
Crystal meth might look like pieces of glass or bluish-white rock-like chunks. People who use crystal meth typically smoke it using aluminum foil, glass pipes, or even light bulbs, resulting in an intense rush of dopamine to the brain. The intensity makes crystal meth addiction when smoking more likely.
Crystal meth has a glittering, crystalline appearance and may be clear or white with a blue hue. The drug’s nicknames of “ice” or “glass” come from the appearance of these chunky crystals and refer to the crystal form of meth.
What Does Powdered Meth Look Like?
Wondering what does meth look like when it’s powdered? Pure meth in powdered form has a white, fine appearance and typically comes in small plastic bags. It resembles powdered sugar or flour, making it easy to cut with other substances. Often, powdered meth is not pure. It can be cut with other drugs or contain household ingredients used to increase a dealer’s profit.
Meth powder can also be off-white, with hues of pink, yellow, or brown. The color of powdered meth depends on the purity of the drug and what it has been cut with. True methamphetamine is a crystalline powder that sparkles slightly, sometimes containing small chunky c crystals.
Powdered meth is commonly snorted or swallowed. Some people also mix it with water and inject meth or smoke it. This liquid meth is dangerous because of its potency and the way it goes directly into the bloodstream.
What Does Meth Smell Like?
Pure methamphetamine does not have a smell. Most of the time, however, meth is not pure by the time that it is sold on the streets. You will be able to smell ammonia, cleaning products, or other noxious chemicals that were used while manufacturing powdered or crystal meth. This means that the meth smell can vary.
What Does Meth Taste Like?
Meth has a bitter taste often chemical in nature. It lingers and has an unpleasant aftertaste often compared to burnt plastic, chemicals, or metal. Like the smell, the taste of methamphetamine varies depending on what was used during the manufacturing process. Being exposed to these unknown chemicals is one of the risks of meth abuse.
Other Steps to Protect Yourself from an Overdose
Meth use comes with risks for your health, both from methamphetamine itself and the risk of being exposed to chemicals during the process.
Once you identify methamphetamine, taking these steps can further help you be protected. Additionally, with more meth use comes the risks of trying different forms and a greater risk of developing a substance use disorder.
Trusting Your Source
Being familiar with your drug dealer and where they are sourcing their meth is a good place to start in knowing what you are taking. However, it isn’t foolproof by any measure.
Unfortunately, many drug dealers do not have high standards when making money. Methamphetamine may be made in factories, either on U.S. soil or overseas, and then exchanged through many hands on its way to the consumer.
Each time that the meth changes hands, there’s an increased risk of it being contaminated by fentanyl. It may also be cut by other substances. Drug dealers might buy it from the streets or the dark web before cutting it and selling it themselves.
Other times, the drug is sourced from home labs manufacturing meth. In this situation, there’s no telling what kind of substances are used in the manufacturing process. Cold medicine, paint thinner, nail polish remover, and cleaning products are common additives.
Testing for Fentanyl
Fentanyl test strips are a harm-reduction tool meant to combat the fentanyl epidemic. If you are struggling with methamphetamine addiction, using fentanyl test strips can help detect high levels of this dangerous drug and prevent a potentially fatal overdose in any kind of drug that you may use.
Even though this can be a useful tool, fentanyl test strips are not foolproof. It takes a minuscule amount of fentanyl to overdose, so small that these strips may not detect it. There’s also a risk that the sample you test does not contain fentanyl, but other parts of the crystal or powder do.
What to Do if You Suspect a Fentanyl Overdose
If you are actively addicted, having Narcan can save your life. Even using stimulants, there is a risk of fentanyl contamination or overdose. Signs of a fentanyl overdose include slowed breathing and heart rate, extreme fatigue, decreased consciousness, and dilated pupils. It is the opposite of what you’d expect when using a stimulant drug.
When seeking medical attention, it’s important to be honest about methamphetamine or other substances you may have taken. This helps with treatment – it is not meant to get you in trouble. HIPAA provides protections for emergency room patients, even with illicit substance use.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration on Meth Addiction
According to statistics, millions of Americans have tried cocaine. It is so addictive that it is classified as a Schedule II Controlled Substance by the Drug Enforcement Administration with a high potential for abuse.
Using meth comes with dangerous side effects and a risk of cardiovascular problems. Regular meth abuse causes physical symptoms like elevated body temperature, skin picking, weight loss, hair loss, and meth-specific signs of chronic use like “meth mouth,” a condition caused by gum disease and tooth loss, and track marks are common.
Skin and dental problems are only the beginning. Mental signs of meth use include insomnia, inability to concentrate, paranoia, mood swings, anxiety, and paranoia.
You may behave impulsively, act out sexually, or have episodes of violent behavior, hallucinations, or psychosis. When not using the meth, you may feel extremely fatigued, depressed, and unable to experience pleasure. This can lead to suicidal thoughts or attempts.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, other signs of prolonged use include increased risk of heart attack and stroke, infection or HIV from shared paraphernalia, and a bacterial condition called endocarditis that can be fatal. Seeking professional help at a treatment center is the only way to truly overcome these risks.
Are Meth and ADHD Medication the Same?
Some people refer to medication for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder as “meth pills.” While they share a similar chemical structure, these supposed meth pills are not the same as methamphetamine. Many doctors have even started prescribing an extended-release form of Adderall in pill form, making it harder to abuse.
That being said, if you are using ADHD medication without a doctor’s prescription, there’s a greater risk of using street drugs. These fake ADHD pills might contain meth or other central nervous system stimulants that mimic the effects of Adderall, putting you at greater risk of developing methamphetamine use disorder.
How Do I Overcome Methamphetamine Addiction?
It can be hard to overcome substance abuse issues on your own, especially with a highly addictive stimulant like methamphetamine. Prolonged meth use produces an intense comedown and withdrawal symptoms that make it tempting to use again. It’s not uncommon for people to use meth for days or weeks at a time, binging so that they don’t have to experience a severe crash.
Some people overcome meth addiction on their own. Unfortunately, intense drug cravings are a common symptom of methamphetamine withdrawal. These continue for weeks after getting clean, making it tempting to relapse.
Purpose Healing Center is an accredited addiction treatment center that will help you get through these early uncomfortable stages of withdrawal. We provide medical detox for meth, substance abuse treatment, and dual diagnosis across all of our inpatient and outpatient treatment options.
During treatment for alcohol or drug abuse at our facility, you’ll learn skills and structure that help combat cravings, manage stress, improve overall wellness, and lead a life that supports lasting sobriety. We’ll also help you connect with support groups after
Call Purpose for a Proven Path to Healing from Meth Addiction
Making sure you know what does meth like, testing samples with fentanyl strips, being familiar with your source, and having a plan in place for overdose are all ways that you can protect yourself and keep a loved one alive during the ongoing opioid epidemic and the use of this highly addictive stimulant.
However, these are temporary solutions. The only way to truly overcome the risks of meth abuse is to seek effective addiction treatment.
When you or a loved one are ready to get help, the best thing you can do is reach out to Purpose Healing Center. We are a JCAHO-accredited facility dedicated to establishing treatment programs that help our clients build the skills to overcome addiction for good.
Our goal is to make the first steps of addiction, which are often the hardest, easier. All you have to do is pick up the phone.
480-579-3319