Crystal Methamphetamine Understanding and responding to Crystal Methamphetamine use Healthy North Coast Ltd (ABN: 18 154 252 132), trading as North Coast Primary Health Network www.ncphn.org.au Healthy North Coast Ltd (ABN: 18 154 252 132), trading as North Coast Primary Health Network www.ncphn.org.au
Substance Use 101 • Slow down the • Speed up the brain • Interfere with the activity of the brain and CNS resulting brain and CNS and and CNS in increased distort the user’s alertness and perception of physical activity reality Depressants Stimulants Hallucinogens Healthy North Coast Ltd (ABN: 18 154 252 132), trading as North Coast Primary Health Network www.ncphn.org.au
Forms speed, goey, whiz paste, point, pure, wax ice, shabu, crystal, crystal meth, tina, glass, shard Healthy North Coast Ltd (ABN: 18 154 252 132), trading as North Coast Primary Health Network www.ncphn.org.au
History Healthy North Coast Ltd (ABN: 18 154 252 132), trading as North Coast Primary Health Network www.ncphn.org.au
Meth today? – Worldwide - increased production of methamphetamine – Australia - one of the highest rates of methamphetamine use worldwide (2014 World Drug Report) One “point”= 0.1g = 100mg = $50-80 Healthy North Coast Ltd (ABN: 18 154 252 132), trading as North Coast Primary Health Network www.ncphn.org.au
Recent Methamphetamine use in Australia Australians over 14 who had used alcohol and other drugs in the past 12 months 2013 2010 2007 86.2% Alcohol 87.9% 89.9% 10.2% Cannabis 10.3% 9.1% 2.5% Ecstacy 3.0% 3.5% 2.1% Cocaine 2.1% 1.6% 2.1% Meth/amphetamines 2.1% 2.3% 0.1% Heroin 0.2% 0.2% Source: NDSHS 2013 Healthy North Coast Ltd (ABN: 18 154 252 132), trading as North Coast Primary Health Network www.ncphn.org.au
Form of methamphetamine Among those using in the last 12 months, ≥ 14 years 60 50 40 Powder % 30 Base 20 Crystal 10 0 2007 2010 2013 Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIWH) 2013 National Drug Strategy Household Survey Healthy North Coast Ltd (ABN: 18 154 252 132), trading as North Coast Primary Health Network www.ncphn.org.au
Frequency of use Regular Users Once a week + • Possible dependence • Smoking or injecting 25% • Severe mental health problems • Severe sleep and nutrition Irregular Users issues < Once a month • Acute and long term harms • 55% Not dependent • Mild mental health issues Occasional Users • Mild sleep problems Once a month + • 20% Acute harms • Moderate mental health issue • Moderate sleep and nutrition problems • Acute harms Adapted from NSDHS, 2013 Healthy North Coast Ltd (ABN: 18 154 252 132), trading as North Coast Primary Health Network www.ncphn.org.au
Poly-Drug Use Methamphetamine users General population 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Source: NSDHS, 2014 Healthy North Coast Ltd (ABN: 18 154 252 132), trading as North Coast Primary Health Network www.ncphn.org.au
Crime All Drug Offences (Rate per 100 000) Use/Possess Amphetamine (Rate per 100 000) 1501.6 Lismore 2014 665.7 NSW 62.9 2014 81.8 2537.9 2015 742.5 141.6 Lismore 2015 112.9 NSW Deal/Traffic Amphetamine (Rate per 100 000) Manufacture Drug 30.8 (Rate per 100 000) 23.4 Lismore 13.5 1.3 1.2 9 NSW Lismore NSW 2014 2015 2014 2015 Healthy North Coast Ltd (ABN: 18 154 252 132), trading as North Coast Primary Health Network www.ncphn.org.au
Who is using it? “I’m 20 and studying at Uni to be a doctor. I smoke ice maybe twice a “I like to use ice. It makes me feel happy, month at the most. My parents alert, alive. It’s my favourite drug and I would be horrified – they are naïve take it as much as I can. It annoys me and very strict and have high hopes that it is so expensive and that I have to for their private school educated work so hard to get the money to afford eldest daughter … I really enjoy the it. I am homeless and I work washing drug. I get sick from alcohol and windscreens and doing other earns. It’s paranoid from weed. And as long as hard work … I have had a few so called I have time to sleep afterwards, it’s “episodes”, always on binges when I all good. I have been keeping up haven’t slept eaten. The most recent with my studies. If it interferes with time I got upset at someone who my life goals I will stop using it”. insulted me, saying I was a “lowlife Junky”. Maybe I wouldn’t have reacted quite how I did if I hadn’t been on ice, but I like to think I would have stuck up for myself anyway.” Healthy North Coast Ltd (ABN: 18 154 252 132), trading as North Coast Primary Health Network www.ncphn.org.au
Who is using it? Particular industries 20-35 year olds most Existing users of amphetamines likely to use Aboriginal communities Men who have sex with men Unemployed, single males Healthy North Coast Ltd (ABN: 18 154 252 132), trading as North Coast Primary Health Network www.ncphn.org.au
How does the profile of people who use crystal methamphetamine compare with your perceptions or experiences? Healthy North Coast Ltd (ABN: 18 154 252 132), trading as North Coast Primary Health Network www.ncphn.org.au
How does Crystal Methamphetamine work? Healthy North Coast Ltd (ABN: 18 154 252 132), trading as North Coast Primary Health Network www.ncphn.org.au
Neurotransmitters Crystal Methamphetamine affects 3 chemicals in your brain 1. Serotonin 2. Noradrenaline 3. Dopamine! Healthy North Coast Ltd (ABN: 18 154 252 132), trading as North Coast Primary Health Network www.ncphn.org.au
Dopamine = Feel good Healthy North Coast Ltd (ABN: 18 154 252 132), trading as North Coast Primary Health Network www.ncphn.org.au
How and why is Crystal Methamphetamine used? Healthy North Coast Ltd (ABN: 18 154 252 132), trading as North Coast Primary Health Network www.ncphn.org.au
Route of Administration Healthy North Coast Ltd (ABN: 18 154 252 132), trading as North Coast Primary Health Network www.ncphn.org.au
Why? Meth Inside out – Why Meth? Healthy North Coast Ltd (ABN: 18 154 252 132), trading as North Coast Primary Health Network www.ncphn.org.au
Possible long term effects Physical Psychological and Social and Environmental Cognitive • • • Seizure Psychosis Violence and aggression • • Heart failure or Depression Unsafe injecting • respiratory failure Anxiety practices • • • Brain haemorrhage, Impaired planning and Sexual risk taking • stroke decision making ability Drug driving • • • Kidney failure Impulse control Criminal activity • • • Cardiac and coronary Low energy levels Social isolation • • artery disease Memory problems Relationship problems • • • Extreme weight loss and Anhedonia Financial difficulties • • malnutrition Emotional regulation Lost opportunities • Threat sensitivity • Attention • Motor skills Healthy North Coast Ltd (ABN: 18 154 252 132), trading as North Coast Primary Health Network www.ncphn.org.au
Dependence and Withdrawal It’s easier to get off than to stay off Healthy North Coast Ltd (ABN: 18 154 252 132), trading as North Coast Primary Health Network www.ncphn.org.au
Psychosis Suspiciousness Fear Paranoia Hallucinations Illusions Delusions • Hallucinations • Delusions • Thought disorder • Disorganised or bizarre behaviour Healthy North Coast Ltd (ABN: 18 154 252 132), trading as North Coast Primary Health Network www.ncphn.org.au
“Ice psychosis hits people in different ways. While I have used a lot – A LOT – of ice, I have never become psychotic. However, I have supported friends through all sorts of experiences. Some people are just a little paranoid, thinking people are talking about them or following them. Others lose touch with what is real and imagine plots or hear voices. Fear is a really big part of it. Some people become very afraid – absolutely terrified. I have managed friends through all the stages. It’s important to keep calm and stay with them. Scared people are unpredictable and can become violent, in which I think is self- preservation. It’s important to make sure you don’t become part of the threat. I get them somewhere they are comfortable, often their own home. I try and get them to eat something or have a rest. It’s obviously best for them not to use any more ice, but a benzo can help. With some people you can divert them, get them to talk about other things, even have sex, until they calm down and sleep. For some TV or the Net will divert them, for others it will rev them up. With others, they are so scared they are immobilised. Move slowly. Be careful in what you say. Don’t play into their fantasy, but don’t disagree. Lots of non - committal “mmm”’s . You will not be able to talk them out of it, you just need to look after them and make sure they don’t do anything stupid. You need to be a friend.” Jake on supporting friends through psychosis Users News, Issue 81, 2015 Healthy North Coast Ltd (ABN: 18 154 252 132), trading as North Coast Primary Health Network www.ncphn.org.au
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