Crystal meth (ice) and harm reduction

There are many reasons why people use drugs.

Some people use them to feel good or relax, others to self-medicate or to cope with trauma, while others may use drugs to improve their performance.³

And not all people who use drugs want to stop or reduce their use.

Providing people with harm reduction information meets people where they're at instead of asking them to stop using drugs.

There’s many practical strategies and ideas that can reduce the harms associated with drug use.

Here we look at ways to minimise harms if you use crystal methamphetamine (ice).

What is crystal meth?

Crystal meth is a purer, more potent form of methamphetamine that can be snorted, smoked or injected.

It’s a stimulant drug that increases dopamine and serotonin levels - the feel-good chemicals in the brain.

Crystal meth increases alertness, sex drive, energy and pleasure.¹ It also reduces appetite and can cause extreme weight loss.²

Crystal meth is highly addictive and can have negative side effects, including anxiety, paranoia, aggression, psychosis, and hallucinations.

Long-term use can lead to brain, liver and kidney damage, dental problems and mental health issues.³

When smoked or injected the effects of crystal meth are immediate and can last up to 12 hours. It can then take a day or two for the effects to wear off.

The high is intense, and people can experience paranoia and anxiety.⁴

Harm reduction

All drugs carry risks of harm.

If you use crystal meth, here’s some suggestions for reducing the risk. This is a guide only.

• Start with a low dose - then wait an hour before having more.
• Choose a safer method of use - try smoking or snorting meth instead of injecting. Boil your smoking device in water to keep it clean.
• Avoid sharing needles and equipment - to reduce the risk of transmitted viruses such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B and C. Clean syringes, safe disposal containers and sterile equipment are available at Needle and Syringe Programs (NSP) across Australia (Australia-wide NSP directory).
• Avoid mixing - with alcohol and other drugs, it can increase your risk of overdose and other health issues. If you plan on mixing use our mixing calculator to find out which drugs are lower risk for mixing.
• Practice safe sex - while you’re high. Use condoms and other safe sex equipment and lubricant, and have regular sexual health checks. Talk with your sexual partner about how much meth you’ll use and communicate your limits and what you plan to do.
• Use with people you know and trust - to help you if something goes wrong.
• Take breaks, and plan time to sleep and rest.
• Drink water to prevent dehydration.
• Try to plan a healthy meal each day.
• Know how long it lasts - so you know when it’s safe for you to drive or operate machinery. Check out our drug duration calculator for more info.
• Practice good dental hygiene - regularly brush and floss your teeth, stay hydrated with water rather than sugary drinks, and visit the dentist regularly to help reduce the effects meth has on your teeth.
• Avoid frequent and regular use.

Harm reduction services in Australia

There are harm reduction services throughout Australia. If you, or a loved one needs some support and advice you can speak with a peer support worker.

• ACT Canberra Alliance for Harm Minimisation and Advocacy (CAHMA)
• NSW NSW Users and AIDS Association (NUAA)
• NT Northern Territory AIDS and Hepatitis Council (NTAHC)
• QLD Queensland Injectors Voice for Advocacy and Action (QuIVAA)
• QLD QuIHN Needle and Syringe Program and Harm Reduction (QuIHN)
• SA Hepatitis South Australia Clean Needle Peer Projects (CNP)
• TAS Tasmanian Users Health and Support League: 0437 280 302 or TUHSLTaste@gmail.com
• VIC: Harm Reduction Victoria (HRVic)
• WA WA-Peer Based Harm Reduction Western Australia (formerly WASUA)

You can also call the National Drug and Alcohol hotline, to access free and confidential advice and to be connected to a treatment and support service in your local area: 1800 250 015.