methamphetamine awareness booklet

1 Methamphetamine Awareness booklet – version 1 – April 2021

Deafness and Mental Health Statewide Consultation and Liaison Service

Deafness and Mental Health Statewide Consultation and Liaison Service ______________________________________________

Methamphetamine Awareness Information about methamphetamine for consumers and carers




This booklet has been developed by the Deafness and Mental Health Service and other stakeholders to be used as a resource in educating Deaf people about methamphetamine.

Illustrations and images were sourced from:

• Glickman, N. & Gulati, S. (Eds.). (2003). Mental Health Care of Deaf People: A culturally affirmative approach. New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

• Glickman, N. (2009). Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy for Deaf and Hearing Persons with language and learning challenges, Routledge Publishers. New York.

• Microsoft Clip Art, 2021

Our appreciation and thanks for supporting the development of this booklet goes to:

Addiction Services, Metro South Addiction and Mental Health Services, Metro South Health




What’s in this booklet

What is methamphetamine?............................4

Types of methamphetamine..………………..……...5

Methamphetamine and the body…………………..7

Methamphetamine withdrawal……………………..8

Physical harm/risks…………...……………………….....9

Mental health risks……………………………………….10

Signs of social problems.……………………………….11

Signs of methamphetamine overdose.………….13

Access support and treatment…………….....…...15

The law on methamphetamine.………………..….16

Carer information….………………………………..……17

Where to get help…………………………………….....18

Emergency numbers…………………………………....19

Glossary………………………………………………………..20

Resources and websites………………………………..21



4


Methamphetamine is a stimulant (pg. 20) that changes chemicals in the brain. It makes a person’s heartbeat and breathing go faster. Messages in the brain and body speed up, so the person becomes more…

Other names for methamphetamine are… Base Crystal Glass Shard Ice Meth

What is Methamphetamine?

It is a man-made substance.

Excited Energetic Confident



5


1. Powder ‘Speed’ • White or near white powder

2. Base • Comes in different colours

• A soft paste like toffee 3. Crystal or ‘Ice’. • Clear like glass and white in

colour

• Purer and stronger than powder or base

How is Powder, Base, or Crystal taken?

Swallowed

Types of methamphetamine

Injected Inhaled or smoked

Snorted



6


Why people might use methamphetamine:

But the person may also experience…

Large pupils Dry mouth

Sweats

Less interest in food

Methamphetamine and the body

Fast heartbeat and breathing

Poor sleep

Feel warmer and sweat

To feel happier and excited

To gain more attention

To be more active and less tired

More interest in sex



7


Using methamphetamine over many weeks/months, the side effects become stronger…

Confusion Teeth/dental problems

Low mood

Memory loss

Hallucinations or paranoia

Weight loss

Using more methamphetamine to try and get the same high

Colds and flu



8


When trying to reduce or stop methamphetamine, the come down (low), might take 2 or 3 days and the person might experience…

Tiredness Anxiousness

Paranoia Mood swings

Body aches Depression

Strong cravings

Poor sleep

Methamphetamine withdrawal

Headaches



9


Sharing needles after injecting methamphetamine can spread viruses such as HIV/AIDs or Hepatitis B or C.

Snorting can damage the nose, making it dry or runny and may cause sinus infections or cause:

Nose bleeds, throat infections and pain

Injecting can cause infections

Physical harm/risks

Injecting can damage organs such as heart and liver

A person using ‘ice’ may develop itchy skin, sores or scabs:

• Due to burns from hot pipes

• Or thinking bugs are in the skin



10


If there is a history of mental health problems, a person may experience on-going issues…

Other risks Mixing methamphetamine (stimulant) with other substances or alcohol (depressant) may cause harm to self and others…

Depression Anxiety or panic attacks

Paranoia

Mental health risks

Heart problems Driving accidents

Not good to mix.



11


Relationship problems Money problems

Study problems Work problems or having no job

Getting arrested by police and/or going to court

Signs of social problems

Difficulty caring for your children



12


If a woman is pregnant or is breastfeeding while using methamphetamine, problems can happen…

• Miscarriage (baby dies before it is born)

• Premature birth (baby born too early)

• Baby born too small • Baby heart and brain problems • Passing Methamphetamine onto

the baby from the mother’s breast milk.

• Baby may have withdrawal symptoms

• The child may develop behavioural problems

A person may need to use methamphetamine to get through the day and feel normal again.



13


Severe headaches

Chest pain

Hot flushes and sweaty

Kidney pain

Hallucinating

Agitation

Fits, seizures

Signs of methamphetamine overdose

Paranoia



14


If this happens, seek help! It is serious. Dial 000. See page 19 for more information.

1) Person unconscious (can’t wake up)

3) If the person is breathing again, place them in the recovery position.

2) Not breathing? start CPR



15


Make changes… If you use methamphetamine,

• Try to eat before using methamphetamine

• Be with someone before using methamphetamine

• Practice safe sex

• Know where to access clean syringes Seek help…

• Therapy – counselling and rehab

• Talk to a friend, health professional or family member.

Access support and treatment



16


Minimising harm. In the community, there are services and policies to reduce and prevent harm. These services help people to make decisions and choices and keep people safe. They are…

The law on methamphetamine

In Australia it is an offence/against the law to possess/have methamphetamine or have things used to take or make drugs e.g. pipe, scales etc.

In Queensland, it is law that people must put needles and syringes away safely.

A criminal charge/jail can be serious and may stop a person visiting other countries, fail to get a job or stop a promotion.

• Drug treatments

• Educational programs

• Counselling services

Put in a safe place



17


Worried that someone you care about is using methamphetamine? • Think about what to say to the

person.

• Think how to approach the person.

• Choose a quiet place and time so there are no interruptions.

• Listen to the person and understand their reason for using methamphetamine. Don’t blame!

• Don’t name call. Using the word ‘addict’ won’t help to support the person.

• Use “I” statements not “you” and explain your concerns on how the drug use impacts on you.

• Ask the person if they would like support from a professional.

Carer information



18


Talk through the National Relay Service (NRS) or the Video Relay Service (VRS).

Service Contact

NABS (National Auslan Interpreter Booking and Payment Service)

1800 448 448

ADIS (Alcohol and Drug Information Service)

1800 177 833

1300 MH Call 1300 64 22 55

Headspace 1800 650 890

National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline

1800 250 015

Kids Helpline 1800 551 800

Inclusion of Family Drug Support (FDS)

1300 368 186

Centrelink crisis payment for financial help

13 2850

Lifeline 13 11 14

Deaf Services 3892 8500 or TTY 3892 8501

Legal Aid 1300 65 11 88 or TTY service (07) 3238 3023

Community Legal Centres Qld http://communitylegalqld.org.au/

Your local doctor

Where to get help

http://communitylegalqld.org.au/



19


Contact emergency services if a person needs urgent medical attention. Emergency Contacts Contact number

Voice – Phone, Captioned Relay or Internet Relay

000

SMS Relay 0423 677 767

Speak and listen 1300 555 727

by TTY, Police (type PPP), ambulance (type AAA)

106

Speak and read – say ambulance or police

1800 555 727 and ask for triple zero (000)

Video Relay Service (VRS) login to skype and contact an NRS contact name

Policelink (non – urgent) SMS 0437 131 444

Note: You will need to give your address or location

Emergency numbers



20


• Comedown – like having a hangover after taking a

drug and with less energy.

• Dependence – needing to stay on a substance. • Depressant – are drugs that slow messages in the

brain and body reducing concentration and alertness.

• Hepatitis – a disease that is spread by infected

body fluids • Offence – breaking the law or rule.

• Psychosis - is an illness that affects the mind. It might cause a person to see, hear, feel and believe things that are not real.

• Purer – Mostly of one substance/chemical. Less chance of it being mixed with other substances.

• Stimulant – a drug that raises excitement in the body and mind e.g. more alertness and less sleep.

Glossary



21


1. https://cracksintheice.org.au/what-is-ice

2. https://adis.health.qld.gov.au/drug-profile/methamphetamine

3. https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/crystal-meth-what-you-should_know#1

4. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/309287#use

5. https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/publications/publishing.nsf/Content/phd-npi-methamphetamine-report-feb09-l~context

6. https://americanaddictioncenters.org/meth-treatment/smoking-snorting-injecting

7. https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/publications/publishing.nsf/Content/phd-npi-

methamphetamine-report-feb09-l~risks

8. https://cracksintheice.org.au/what-are-the-laws-about-ice

9. https://www.verywellmind.com/a-child-eyes-view-of-meth-abuse-67594

10. https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0026/444419/detox-guidelines.pdf

11. Drug offences | Your rights, crime and the law | Queensland Government

(www.qld.gov.au)

12. https://insight.qld.edu.au/shop?section=all&topic=11&audience=&type=

Resources and Websites

https://cracksintheice.org.au/what-is-ice

https://adis.health.qld.gov.au/drug-profile/methamphetamine

https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/crystal-meth-what-you-should_know#1

https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/crystal-meth-what-you-should_know#1

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/309287#use

https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/publications/publishing.nsf/Content/phd-npi-methamphetamine-report-feb09-l~context

https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/publications/publishing.nsf/Content/phd-npi-methamphetamine-report-feb09-l~context

https://americanaddictioncenters.org/meth-treatment/smoking-snorting-injecting

https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/publications/publishing.nsf/Content/phd-npi-methamphetamine-report-feb09-l~risks

https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/publications/publishing.nsf/Content/phd-npi-methamphetamine-report-feb09-l~risks

https://cracksintheice.org.au/what-are-the-laws-about-ice

https://www.verywellmind.com/a-child-eyes-view-of-meth-abuse-67594

https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0026/444419/detox-guidelines.pdf

https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0026/444419/detox-guidelines.pdf

https://insight.qld.edu.au/shop?section=all&topic=11&audience=&type=



22


Contact the Deafness and Mental Health Service:

Ph: (07) 3317 1080

SMS: 0419 023 883

Email: [email protected]

Web: https://www.health.qld.gov.au/clinical-practice/referrals/statewide-specialist-services/deafness-and-mental-health

Disclaimer The material and information in this booklet is for educational purposes only. The information is not intended to replace medical advice offered by clinicians, but to assist Deaf people and other low language individuals with understanding health issues. Consumers should review the information with their professional health care provider. The Deafness and Mental Health Service will not be held liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary, or other damages arising there from.

https://www.health.qld.gov.au/clinical-practice/referrals/statewide-specialist-services/deafness-and-mental-health



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