What Is the Drug Ice? Drug Facts, Effects, and Health Risks

The term “ice” is a street name that refers to the crystal form of meth. Methamphetamine is a stimulant drug impacting the central nervous system with devastating effects. This smokable substance is highly addictive, much like other stimulants like cocaine.

What Is the Drug “Ice?” Drug Facts

Ice is a form of crystalline methamphetamines or crystal meth. It looks like white and translucent glass shards or is similar to rock salt. Due to its highly addictive nature, crystal meth is a Schedule II controlled substance as designated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Crystal meth is one of the purest forms of methamphetamine that is far more potent than other types. Ice will temporarily increase the brain’s dopamine release, leading to a “high” or a sensation of euphoria.

Meth has a slower clearance rate from the body and can remain in your system longer than other stimulants. Ice or meth distribution [1] studies show that it took over 75 minutes to clear from the brain, stomach, and liver. As opposed to seven minutes from the spleen.

Other Names For the Drug Ice

Meth goes by many names in the streets. [2] As it is primarily an illegally manufactured substance, this list is an ever-changing roster that could change if a new meth designer drug makes an appearance on the streets.

According to the National Drug Intelligence Center (a division of the Department of Justice) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), there is a long list of common names that include [3]:

• Batu
• Blade
• Bikers Coffee
• Chalk
• Crank
• Cristy
• Crystal / Crystal glass
• Hanyak
• Hiropon
• Hot ice
• Kaksonjea
• L.A. glass / L.A. ice
• Quartz
• Speed
• Shards
• Shabu
• Stove Top
• Super ice
• Tina
• Tweak
• Trash
• Ventana
• Vidrio
• Yaba

What Is the Drug “Ice” Most Like?

Ice is a methamphetamine substance that falls into the stimulant drug category. There are many forms of stimulants, from prescription medications and illicit drugs to natural substances with similar effects.

Cocaine

Cocaine is another stimulant substance with similar effects. It is made from the leaves of a coca plant and is also highly addictive.

Amphetamine Medications

Amphetamine prescriptions are a class of FDA-approved substances with specific medical and psychiatric uses. In most cases, these medications are prescribed to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy.

Prescription amphetamines include Adderall®, Ritalin®, Concerta®, Focalin®, Dexedrine®, Metadate®, and Methylin®.

Khat

This is a naturally occurring stimulant that is derived from the sticks and leaves of a flowering plant that is native to the continent of Africa. The active ingredient is cathinone which has the same CNS effects as ice.

What Are The Effects of the Drug Ice?

Meth in any form, including the drug ice, is associated with a wide spectrum of side effects, withdrawal symptoms, and long-term health risks. These effects range from mild and annoying to severe and life-threatening.

Side Effects of Ice Use: Crystal Meth At Work In Your Body

Increased dopamine release in the brain results in feelings of euphoria. This is a strong contributor to the addictive properties of ice and all other forms of meth. It’s also what makes one’s recovery and treatment harder to begin once long-term meth habits are established.

Common side effects cover a wide range, from simply uncomfortable to dangerous and deadly.

• Nausea, vomiting, and other flu-like symptoms
• Constant fatigue but with boosts of hyperactivity
• Reduced appetite and unexplained weight loss
• “Shakes” or Body tremors with chronic muscle aches
• Systemic sweats
• Insomnia
• “Meth sores” (resembles acne, presents on the whole body including the face)
• Hot/Cold flashes
• Unable to stop meth use
• Preoccupation with all things related to meth (buying, finding, using, crashing, etc.)

Psychological Effects Of Ice: Crystal Meth At Work In Your Mind

Methamphetamines have a severe impact on the brain, both with immediate euphoric effects, as well as more long-term and potentially dangerous consequences. With the effects of dopamine changes and the parts of your brain that may become damaged, psychological symptoms of ice use may include:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Continual cravings
• Constant irritability
• Pulling back from family
• Not performing at work or school
• Lack of interest in hobbies

Long-Term Effects of Ice: Crystal Meth At Work In Your Health

Similar to all other forms of meth, ice has a severely negative effect on your brain chemistry. It’s especially damaging to the parts of your brain that are responsible for cognitive function and the ability to learn new things.

Other long-term effects of meth use may include:

• Violent tendencies and misplaced aggression
• Facial scarring (from meth sores)
• Chronic illness with flu-like symptoms
• Mood swings
• A sense of confusion
• Audible delusions
• Sleep disruption and insomnia

In a recent study from the Center for Disease Control, over 32,500 overdose deaths were attributed to methamphetamine use in a single year. [4] Due to the high potency and addictive nature of ice and crystal meth, ice users are at increased risk of falling victim to a drug overdose.

As your body becomes accustomed to increased dopamine levels due to long-term ice use, it will produce less and less dopamine naturally. This inevitably leads to your body craving increasingly more ice to sustain the desired dopamine levels. In turn, this increases the risk of overdose even more.

Brain damage that is sustained due to crystal meth use, such as reduced cognitive processing, confusion, and impaired learning, may only be partially reversible. It’s critical for one’s safety as well as the quality of life to pursue treatment for meth use as soon as possible.

Ice users are more likely to have a stroke or develop heart problems. They are also prone to delusions and hallucinations, along with other symptoms of psychosis.

It’s also common for ice users to have rotting teeth and to develop gum disease (periodontitis). They are also more likely to have a seizure and present other Parkinson’s disease-like symptoms. It’s clear that the high isn’t worth the loss.

What Does Detoxing From Ice Look Like?

Detoxing from substances is always an uncomfortable experience. The symptoms and timeline will be different for each patient as it’s connected to the frequency of use, the method of delivery, and the dosage that was last taken.

When undergoing detox alone or at home, withdrawal symptoms can be scary and intimidating. Some detox and withdrawal symptoms for ice include:

• Aggressive outbursts
• Boost in appetite
• Seizures
• Psychosis and Paranoia
• Vivid hallucinations
• Suicidal thoughts

The best way to ensure safety and success during detox is to seek help at a medical detox facility. Here, you will find relief from symptoms, 24/7 monitoring, and access to constant medical care.

If you or a loved one are struggling with crystal meth use or a co-occurring disorder, seek professional help right away and begin your path to a safe and successful recovery.

What Does Treatment For Ice Addiction Look Like After Detox?

There are several options for ongoing treatment after you’ve completed a medical detox. The goal is to ensure you, or your loved one receives the attentive care, effective treatment, and practical support needed to maintain your recovery.

Inpatient or Residential Programs are a good fit just after detox, where you will receive the same constant care that is supplemented by other holistic interventions like medication management and therapy sessions.

Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP) is the next level of care. This program still offers daily support but allows you to sleep at home or at another safe and sober facility.

Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) is a step down in care from a PHP. These programs offer multiple sessions for treatment and therapy every week while giving you more freedom in your schedule to attend to your daily obligations.

Once regular treatment ends and you’re ready for greater autonomy, an Aftercare plan will be created to support you long-term on an as-needed basis. Establishing a strong foundation in treatment is what creates sustainable and healthy recovery.

Amanda is a prolific medical content writer specializing in eating disorders and addiction treatment. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Purdue University with a B.S. in Social Work. Read more