Question about crystal meth

Gompers, BSN, RN · Feb 12, 2005

I have a friend whose son was arrested for operating a meth lab. It's made out of stuff anyone can get from the drug store.

I think it's made out of cold medicine, and that's why many stores have now locked up all their decongestants. There is a limit at most stores - like two packs per person.

KRVRN, BSN, RN · Feb 15, 2005

It's interesting how Costco stores and such that sell stuff in bulk don't sell sudafed in bulk, because you really are limited on how much one person can buy at once. And if other stores ever have a sale on the stuff, they limit howmany packages you can buy. I'm sure the other ingredients that you need are limited too, but I don't actually know what else is used.

Is benzene used? Cookng meth sure does smell like a cross between benzene and insulin. My neighbors got busted for it once, and you sure can smell it. Is San Diego still the meth capital of the country? I think it used to be.

BRANDY LPN · Feb 15, 2005

One other ingredient is sulfer ( i think) the kind that is on the tips of matches. My mom's bf was on jury duty and that is what he said the prosecution told them.

Edited to add it is red phosphorous not sulfer, out of suriosity I googled meth recipes, and LOL this is what I came up with: http://www.totse.com/en/drugs/speedy_drugs/165183.html

Note the disclaimer, um yeah right...

kitty29 · Feb 26, 2005

I certainly have gained a good deal of knowledge. When I tried a search the other day I saw that they were going to be doing some research on the effects on infants in HI.

FutureNrse · Feb 26, 2005

When I was in college, getting my degree in social services, some of the required courses were about drug abuse. Those courses kind of overlapped with the courses for the chemical dependency program, and I was shocked at how many of my classmates were former meth users, and most of them were women. In an average class of about 40 students, maybe 3 or 4 of us were not recovering addicts.

It's become a trend for addicts to become counselors, and there is even a school of that that insists that only an addict can effectivelly counsel an addict. I think that's ridiculous. When internships were assigned, I ended up at a rehab for women. I was the only person there who wasn't in recovery for some thing or another. Even supporting staff, like receptionist, was a former alcoholic. What really struck me was how the former meth addicts never seem to lose their drug behaviors. It's as if they never really snap back 100%, and even more sad is that they can't see it. I made the mistake of asking a fellow counselor if her drug mannerisms were still diminishing and she was offened, insisting that she didn't have any drug mannerisms. She went on to point out another employee and say " SHE does have drug mannerisms, but I don't"

With some subtly questioning, I realzed that they cannot see it in themselves, but can see it in others. Weird.

I was glad to finish that internship, I make a lousy counselor for addicts. I just wanted to scream at them to stop whining and put down the crack pipe. :uhoh21:

kitty29 · Feb 27, 2005

I was shocked at how many of my classmates were former meth users, and most of them were women. there is even a school of that that insists that only an addict can effectivelly counsel an addict. I think that's ridiculous. never seem to lose their drug behaviors. It's as if they never really snap back 100%, and even more sad is that they can't see it. I realzed that they cannot see it in themselves, but can see it in others. Weird.
:uhoh21:

I see the point kind of to have former addicts cousel addicts(one knows best from an experiece)...yet I agree with so many of your other statements and here is why:

From the little reading I've done so far, it seems that crystal meth causes brain damage from the very first hit...so I don't think people could snap back fully ever...that's the truely heart-breaking thing about it all. Here are these ussually young people never learning how to cope effectively with life (not that I fully can either). And it must take quite a journey for someone to see any type of defficiency in themselves...denial and all.

Thanks for sharing...are you still in social services???

NoCrumping · Feb 27, 2005

When I was in college, getting my degree in social services, some of the required courses were about drug abuse. Those courses kind of overlapped with the courses for the chemical dependency program, and I was shocked at how many of my classmates were former meth users, and most of them were women. In an average class of about 40 students, maybe 3 or 4 of us were not recovering addicts.
It's become a trend for addicts to become counselors, and there is even a school of that that insists that only an addict can effectivelly counsel an addict. I think that's ridiculous. When internships were assigned, I ended up at a rehab for women. I was the only person there who wasn't in recovery for some thing or another. Even supporting staff, like receptionist, was a former alcoholic. What really struck me was how the former meth addicts never seem to lose their drug behaviors. It's as if they never really snap back 100%, and even more sad is that they can't see it. I made the mistake of asking a fellow counselor if her drug mannerisms were still diminishing and she was offened, insisting that she didn't have any drug mannerisms. She went on to point out another employee and say " SHE does have drug mannerisms, but I don't"
With some subtly questioning, I realzed that they cannot see it in themselves, but can see it in others. Weird.
I was glad to finish that internship, I make a lousy counselor for addicts. I just wanted to scream at them to stop whining and put down the crack pipe. :uhoh21:

I agree, , esp re: the mannerisms... I have a sil who has supposedly been clean for 10 yrs, not sure from what drug, she owns her own house, her own business, etc, and she still acts like a crack addict. It just doenst go away....And she insists she doesnt have these characteristics, but points them out in others........

NoCrumping · Feb 27, 2005

I certainly have gained a good deal of knowledge. When I tried a search the other day I saw that they were going to be doing some research on the effects on infants in HI.

Sorry, but please indulge me: I dont actually know what you "do " with crystal meth.... , smoke, iv, pill? A llittle bit street drug illiterate, I am. :uhoh3:

kitty29 · Feb 28, 2005

Sorry, but please indulge me: I dont actually know what you "do " with crystal meth.... , smoke, iv, pill? A llittle bit street drug illiterate, I am.

Someone wrote above, but I think mostley it is smoked?

kitty29 · Feb 28, 2005

I agree, , esp re: the mannerisms... I have a sil who has supposedly been clean for 10 yrs, not sure from what drug, she owns her own house, her own business, etc, and she still acts like a crack addict. It just doenst go away....And she insists she doesnt have these characteristics, but points them out in others........

It's so sad what we can do to ourselves isn't it? I was reading some the sites mentioned and in OR they are talking about how they are setting up groups/tax forces to get something done within the community.

One would think education is key. Also the site talked about how the drug companies haven't acted even tho this is a problem due to the money they are raking in----the make my blood boil!

Do you guys think it would be stupid to write or talk to someone in law inforcement to see if one could help on the medical end? Any ideas??

BRANDY LPN · Mar 1, 2005

What do you guys mean by "drug mannerisms"?

kitty29 · Mar 8, 2005

What do you guys mean by "drug mannerisms"?

I cann't speak for the others, but what I mean is acting a few cards short of a full deck.