Addictions to die for
Sqn-Ldr Shane Moloney looks at speed and ice in the first of two articles on addictive substances.
Volume 11, No. 50, August, 24, 2006

SPEED and ice can transform our lives into states in which we are controlled by an addiction, sent mad by it, or even killed by it. The Directorate of Mental Health has issued a warning, one that ADF members should take seriously. These sisters kill; learn about them and keep right away from them. Keep your mates and families safe by telling them about these dangerous substances.

Speed
Goey, whizz, up, fast, louee, pep pills or uppers are the common street names for amphetamines. Medically, amphetamines are rarely prescribed and are predominantly only used to treat narcolepsy, a sleeping disorder that results in users being unable to stop their urge to sleep, and for the treatment of some people who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

What are amphetamines?
Amphetamines belong to a group of drugs called psychostimulants that speed up the messages going to and from the brain to the body.

Most illicit amphetamines are produced in backyard laboratories and, unlike legally prescribed amphetamines, often contain other drugs and substances that can have adverse or harmful effects on users.

Purity levels vary considerably and range from 1 per cent to 99 per cent pure.

The additives used in the creation of illicit amphetamines can be highly poisonous and can cause collapsed veins, tetanus, abscesses and damage to the heart, lungs, liver and brain. Additionally, because the user cannot know how pure these drugs are, it is very easy to accidentally overdose on them.

Appearance
The form and colour of amphetamines vary considerably depending on the additives and processes used by the illicit drug manufacturing process. They can be in the form of powder, tablets, capsules, crystals or liquid which can come in various colours and are sometimes sold in commercial brand shells or capsules. They can be injected, snorted, smoked, swallowed, or inserted anally.

Immediate effects
Amphetamines work very quickly and speed up the heart rate and breathing. Users might experience heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat. Amphetamine use also increases blood pressure, dries out the mouth, increases sweating, enlarges the pupils and can cause headaches.

Users will feel more energetic, alert and confident, with a heightened sense of wellbeing. They may be extremely alert, talkative, restless and excited. They will have difficulty in being able to get to sleep. Panic attacks can also occur. Reduced appetite and irritability is common and some people become anxious, hostile and aggressive.

Ice
Ice, shabu, batu, glass, and crystal meth are the common street names for methamphetamines, a more potent form of amphetamines whose effects last much longer than other drugs such as cocaine. Liquid methamphetamine is often referred to as ox blood, leopard’s blood or red speed.

Ice’s effects
Initially, methamphetamine makes users feel energetic, alert, self-confident, strong and have a sense of power, but with continued use these pleasurable feelings on average weaken, therefore users need to increase the dosage to achieve euphoria.

Like other illicit amphetamines, the purity of this highly addictive drug is extremely variable and overdose can easily occur. After taking ice, users often become agitated and their behaviour may become unpredictable (e.g. friendly and peaceful one moment then angry and frightened the next).

Immediate effects
Users are often talkative and restless, exhibiting abrupt shifts in thought and speech. They also exhibit tremors of the hands and fingers, sweat profusely, repeat simple acts, are itchy – causing them to pick and scratch their skin incessantly – have difficulty sleeping, have a reduced appetite, dilated pupils and a dry mouth, experience stomach cramps, nausea, dizziness and blurred vision, are difficult to understand, experience nervousness, panic attacks, anxiety, paranoia, irritability, and are aggressive and hostile.

Consequences of use
In addition to the side effects seen with speed, users of ice may also experience nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Their blood pressure increases due to the constriction of blood vessels, which may in turn produce headache or irregular heartbeat. Seizures, stroke or permanent brain damage may result from injury to the small vessels supplying blood to the brain. Another outcome may be heart attack.

Dependence on ice occurs very easily and users find it extremely hard to stop using it.

After a number of days on methamphetamines, users are typically depressed, Depression may last for several days and during this period the potential for suicide is high.

With prolonged use, users will often develop a drug-induced psychosis that may last days or years. The main characteristic of methamphetamine psychosis is the presence of prominent hallucinations, paranoid delusions and bizarre behaviour.

Methamphetamine hallucinations affect all five senses. The most common hallucinations are auditory, with the user hearing voices commanding them to commit acts of violence. Visual hallucinations, in which the user sees objects that are not there, can be frightening and confusing and may result in bizarre behaviour.

Overdose
If you encounter someone who has overdosed or had a bad reaction to amphetamines or methamphetamines, treat the matter as a medical emergency. Dial 000, stay with the person until the ambulance arrives and commence CPR if needed. Loosen tight clothing and turn the person on his or her side in the recovery position. Gently tilt the head back to prevent the tongue blocking the airway.

Withdrawal
Common withdrawal symptoms include disorientation, extreme hunger, fatigue and exhaustion, lack of energy, apathy, a limited ability to experience pleasure, anxiety, irritability and depression. The craving for methamphetamines is also pronounced.

ADF policy
The ADF does not condone the use of these, or any other illicit substance. The policy is one of zero tolerance rather than harm minimisation. The ADF will, however, assist any member who does use the drugs to seek appropriate care.

All members are urged to be aware of the dangers in using illicit substances and to play a role in the wider community to help others to do the same. Promote wellbeing and “work well, live well, be well”.