Ice•
What is ice?
Crystal methamphetamine (‘ice’) is a stimulant drug, which means it speeds up the messages travelling
between the brain and the body. It’s stronger, more addictive and therefore has more harmful side effects
than the powder form of methamphetamine known as speed.1
Ice usually comes as small chunky clear crystals that look like ice. It can also come as white or brownish
crystal-like powder with a strong smell and bitter taste.1
Other names
Crystal meth, shabu, crystal, glass, shard, P.1,2
How is it used?
Ice is generally smoked (feel the effect almost immediately) or injected (15 to 30 seconds to feel the
effects). It is sometimes swallowed (15 to 20 minutes to feel the effects) or snorted (3 to 5 minutes to feel
the effects).3
Effects of ice Overdose
There is no safe level of drug use. Use of any If you take a large amount or have a strong batch,
drug always carries some risk. It’s important to be you could overdose. If you or someone you know
careful when taking any type of drug. is having any of the symptoms below, call an
ambulance straight away by dialling triple zero
The effects of ice can last for up to 12 hours2 but it (000). Ambulance officers don’t need to involve the
might be hard to sleep for a few days after using police. Symptoms of overdose may include:
the drug.
• racing heartbeat and chest pain
Ice affects everyone differently, but effects may • breathing problems
include: • fits or uncontrolled jerking
• extreme agitation, confusion, clumsiness
• feelings of pleasure and confidence • sudden, severe headache
• increased alertness and energy • unconsciousness
• repeating simple things like itching and • stroke, heart attack or death.1,4,6
scratching
• enlarged pupils and dry mouth Find out more about overdose at
• teeth grinding and excessive sweating adf.org.au/insights/overdose
• fast heart rate and breathing
• reduced appetite Coming down
• increased sex drive.,1,3,4,5 It can take several days to come down from using
ice. The following effects may be experienced
If injecting drugs there is an increased risk of: during this time:
• tetanus • difficulty sleeping and exhaustion
• infection • headaches, dizziness and blurred vision
• vein damage. • paranoia, hallucinations and confusion
• irritability and feeling ‘down’.1,4
If sharing needles there is an increased risk of:
Using a depressant drug such as alcohol,
• hepatitis B benzodiazepines or cannabis to help with the
• hepatitis C come-down effects may result in a cycle of
dependence on both types of drugs.
• HIV and AIDS.1
Snorting ice can damage the nasal passage and
1
cause nose bleeds.
Long-term effects Mixing ice with other drugs
With regular use, ice may eventually cause: The effects of taking ice with other drugs
− including over-the-counter or prescribed
• extreme weight loss due to reduced medications − can be unpredictable and
appetite dangerous, and could cause:
• restless sleep • Ice + speed or ecstasy: enormous strain on
the heart and other parts of the body, which
• dry mouth and dental problems can lead to stroke.9
• regular colds or flu • Ice + alcohol, cannabis or benzodiazepines:
• trouble concentrating enormous strain on the body, and more likely
• breathlessness to overdose. The stimulant effects of ice may
• muscle stiffness mask the effects of depressant drugs like
• anxiety, paranoia and violence benzodiazepines and can increase the risk of
• depression overdose.9
• heart and kidney problems
• increased risk of stroke Withdrawal
• needing to use more to get the same effect
• dependence on ice Giving up ice after using it for a long time is
• financial, work or social problems.4,7 challenging because the body has to get used
Ice psychosis to functioning without it. Withdrawal symptoms
generally settle down after a week and will mostly
High doses of ice and frequent use may cause disappear after a month. Symptoms can include:
‘ice psychosis’. This condition is characterised by
paranoid delusions, hallucinations and bizarre,
aggressive or violent behaviour. These symptoms • cravings for ice
usually disappear a few days after the person • increased appetite
stops using ice.1 • confusion and irritability
• aches and pains
• exhaustion
Dependence
• restless sleep and nightmares
People who regularly use ice can quickly become
dependent on the drug. They may feel they need • anxiety, depression and paranoia.8
ice to go about their normal activities like working,
studying and socialising, or just to get through the Find out more about withdrawal at
day.1,5 adf.org.au/alcohol-drug-use/supporting-a-loved-one/
withdrawal/
Mental health problems
Some people who regularly use ice may start to
feel less enjoyment of everyday activities. They
can get stressed easily and their moods can go up
and down quite quickly. These changes can lead to
longer-term problems with anxiety and depression.
People may feel these effects for at least several
weeks or months after they give up ice.8
2
Getting help
If your use of amphetamines is affecting your
health, family, relationships, work, school, financial
or other life situations, you can find help and
support.
Help and support services directory:
adf.org.au/help-support/support-services-directory/
Information about treatment:
adf.org.au/alcohol-drug-use/supporting-a-loved-one/
treatment/
Ice and the law
Use of methamphetamine (ice) is against the
law. Federal and state laws provide penalties
for possessing, using, making, selling, importing
or exporting, or driving under the influence
of methamphetamine. The importation or
exportation and the procuring of precursor drugs
(such as pseudoephedrine) with the intention of
manufacturing a controlled drug, is also against
the law. Laws have been introduced that prevent
the sale and possession of ice pipes in some states
and territories.
Ice statistics
National
• 6.3% of Australians aged 14 years and over
have used meth/amphetamines one or more
times in their life.9
• 1.4% of Australians aged 14 years and over have
used meth/amphetamines in the previous 12
months. Of these people, 57.3% report crystal
or ice as main form of the drug used.9
Young people
• 2.4% of 12-17 year olds have tried
amphetamines.10
• Young Australians (aged 14–24) first try meth/
amphetamines at 18.6 years on average.9
References
1. Campbell, A. (2001). The Australian Illicit Drug Guide. Melbourne: Black Inc.
2. McKetin, R. (2016). NDARC Fact Sheet: Methamphetamine . Retrieved from National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre: https://ndarc.med.
unsw.edu.au/sites/default/files/ndarc/resources/NDA073%20Fact%20Sheet%20Methamphetamine.pdf
3. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2013, September). Methamphetamine. Retrieved from How is methamphetamine abused?: https://www.
drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/methamphetamine/how-methamphetamine-abused
4. Leonard, W., Dowsett, G., Slavin , S., Mitchell, A., & Pitts, M. (2008). Crystal clear: the social determinants of gay men’s use of crystal
methamphetamine in Victoria. Melbourne: Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health & Society. Retrieved from https://www.glhv.org.au/
sites/default/files/crystal_report_1.pdf
5. Brands, B., Sproule, B., & Marshman, J. (1998). Drugs and Drug Abuse (3rd ed.). Toronto: Addiction Research Foundation.
6. Roxburgh, A., & Burns, L. (2013). Cocaine and methamphetamine related drug-induced deaths in Australia, 2013. Sydney: National Drug and
Alcohol Research Centre.
7. Lappin, J. M., Darke, S., & Farrell, M. (2017). Stroke and methamphetamine use in young adults: A review. Journal of Neurology,
Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, 88, 1079-1091. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/jnnp-2017-316071
8. Cracks in the Ice. (2018, September 19). How does ice work? Ice and the Brain. Retrieved from Crystal Methamphetamine: trusted, evidence-
based information for the community: https://cracksintheice.org.au/how-does-ice-work
9. Cracks in the Ice. (2017, April 7). Using ice with other drugs. Retrieved from Crystal Methamphetamine: trusted, evidence-based information
for the community: https://cracksintheice.org.au/using-ice-with-other-drugs
10. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2016). National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2016: Detailed findings. Canberra: Australian
Institute of Health and Welfare. Retrieved from https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/illicit-use-of-drugs/2016-ndshs-detailed/contents/table-
of-contents
11. White, V., & Williams, T. (2016). Australian secondary school students’ use of tobacco, alcohol, and over-the-counter and illicit substances in
2014. Victoria: Australian Government Department of Health. Retrieved from: http://www.nationaldrugstrategy.gov.au/internet/
drugstrategy/Publishing.nsf/content/E9E2B337CF94143CCA25804B0005BEAA/$File/National-report_ASSAD_2014.pdf
Always call an ambulance on triple zero (000) if an overdose is suspected: tell the paramedic exactly what has been
taken. Paramedics are there to help and will not involve the police unless there is a danger to themselves or others.
Other help, support services and resources
Links to further help and support • adf.org.au/help-support/
Information on methamphetamine impacts and emerging treatments • adf.org.au/insights/methamphetamine-
impacts-treatment/
Further information
DrugInfo • 1300 85 85 84
Free confidential information and advice about alcohol and other drugs (9am - 5pm, Mon-Fri)
Family Drug Help • 1300 660 068 • www.familydrughelp.com.au (Victorian-based)
Services are available to support those around you who may be affected by your drug use. As well as
providing understanding, they can provide information about how best to help during treatment.
Family Drug Support • 1300 368 186 • www.fds.org.au (Australia-wide)
4
