“Meth” is short for methamphetamine. Originally derived from amphetamine, the drug that is so addictive and so often abused has been chemically produced to where it provides a stronger effect than any true amphetamine can.

Methamphetamine is made by taking substances that contain amphetamine, such as cold tablets and other medications and combining them with other chemicals, many of which were never intended to be introduced into the human body. This mixture is then “cooked” and allowed to cool. As it cools, it forms a solid mass, which is then either chipped up into individual pieces or ground into a powder.

When it is left in its solid form, the pieces are usually ignited, and the resulting fumes inhaled-the same as would be done with “crack” or solid cocaine. In its powder form, it is mixed with liquid (including alcohol), inhaled-in much the same way as powdered cocaine or heroin is-or mixed with water or another liquid and injected. The injection can be just under the skin, into a muscle, or directly into a vein.

No matter how the methamphetamine gets into the body, it is so addictive because of the way the brain reacts to it. Meth produces an instantaneous, intense “high” the very first time it is used. There is no having to wait for enough of the drug to build up in one’s system to start feeling the effects, as can often happen with other drugs. No matter what amount of meth is used, the high occurs as soon as the drug gets into the body, again the very first time it gets into the body.

The receptors in the brain that are stimulated by meth respond so strongly that they immediately send signals to the body to repeat the same procedure that caused the feelings of pleasure the first time again. This, of course, means using more meth. However, subsequent highs are never as intense as the first one was, and this causes the receptors to increase the number of times they send the signals, in an effort to recapture the original feelings.