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Guys do speed in a few different ways. Basically, the way we do it depends on two things: what form the crystal’s in and which orifice we put the drug in. To oversimplify things a bit further, if the crystal is a solid, liquid or gas determines which hole we use, or hole we have to create, to get it into our bodes so we can get high.
Each way of doing the drug involves different preparation, different tools, a different ritual. How we get crystal into our bodies changes the time it takes to kick in – some methods deliver the drug to our brains faster. Please remember, faster isn’t necessarily better. Faster can also mean more potential harms. The most popular is:
Smoking
How it’s done:
The drug is heated in a glass pipe, bowl or stem until it becomes gaseous (“smoke”). It’s then inhaled into the lungs. The “smoke” enters the blood stream via the lungs.
Time to get off: about 7-10 seconds.
Things to watch out for:
Smoke of any kind irritates the lungs. Prolonged irritation can lead to breathing difficulties and coughing. People with asthma, emphysema, and other lung problems are particularly at risk for these effects. If you’re smoking speed, you’ re going to end up consuming larger quantities of the drug much faster than if you are snorting or swallowing. Keep in mind, the time to get off is much quicker and the high is more intense than when swallowing or snorting speed.
Strategies to reduce possible harms:
Before you hit the pipe, decide how much product you’re going to use. And then stick to that amount. Too challenging, you say? Maybe you can try to decrease the frequency of hitting the pipe after your first hit.
Recognizing the signs that someone is smoking meth could help early detection and lay the groundwork for intervention and rehabilitation.
Physiological Signs
The effects of smoking meth occurring physiologically eventually become apparent to others. Due to the stimulant effects of meth, those who smoke it have an increased heart rate and elevated blood pressure. In addition, there is a decrease in oxygen supply to the extremities, causing poor circulation throughout the body. This poor circulation can lead to skin lesions. Elevated body temperature results in radiating body heat and becomes apparent to others. This excess body heat may lead to muscle and major organ damage.
Behavioral Signs
Those who smoke meth seem to undergo a personality transformation that is noticeable through their behavior. Users have a heightened sense of alertness and uncontrollable movement. Long-term use can lead to insomnia, paranoia and aggression. Feelings of enthusiasm toward things and activities are replaced with an attitude of apathy. Conversely, things that would not necessarily be an issue get blown out of proportion. Hallucinations, such as “crank bugs” crawling on the skin, are common among regular users. Impaired speech may occur due to anxiety.
Physical Signs
The overall “look” of a meth smoker is somewhat different. At first, you may notice subtle changes in the smoker’s appearance and not quite know the cause; however, with time, physical signs become evident and unquestionable. Meth smokers lose their appetite and their metabolism increases. This combination leads to extreme weight loss. The eyes dart back and forth and blink excessively. It may be difficult for a meth smoker to make eye contact. Those smoking meth may have what has been coined as “meth mouth,” in which the mouth is dry and the teeth and gums become corroded due to the harsh chemicals of meth. The skin begins to change to a grayish, leathery texture and may even break out into a rash. Users can create skin sores from the constant picking at the imaginary “crank bugs.”
