Ice and Mental Health: Effects, Treatment and Statistics

Running head: ICE AND MENTAL HEALTH
ICE AND MENTAL HEALTH
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1ICE AND MENTAL HEALTH
Ice is also identified as crystal meth, a type of illicit drug, which stimulates the
nervous system and brain. It belongs to the family of amphetamine drugs (Au.reachout.com,
2019). Ice is also sometimes referred as d-meth, shabu, and crystal and looks like whitish
quartz-like residue or like tiny colourless rock. Ice is very effective and the purest type of
methamphetamine. Ice is considered as a strong stimulant with highly destructive quality
effecting the physical, behavioural and mental health of the person (Cracks in the Ice, 2019).
The consumption of ice makes the person energetic, euphoric and theatrically assertive as this
drug stimulates the messaging response to and from your brain. It can be consumed by
injecting, smoking, swallowing or snorting. The effect of ice can be felt within 3-7 seconds
after smoking or injecting the drug. The onset of drug effect in case of swallowing is within
15-30 minutes of consumption and in case of snorting it is within 3-5 minutes of consumption
(Healthdirect.gov.au, 2019). Ice is extremely addictive as compared to cocaine and can lead
to “ice psychosis” in the people consuming it with extreme violent and impulsive behaviour.
Ice or crystal methamphetamine is a CNS stimulating drug, which results in adverse
effect on human ranging from occupational, social, health and legal consequences. A
continuous co-occurring psychological health problem is most common in this type of drug.
Ice prompts the discharge of two important chemicals known as neurotransmitter in brain
known as non-adrenaline and dopamine (Narconon International, 2019). This
neurotransmitter are generally released during the pleasing activities such as sex and eating,
which makes the person feel excited and alert. Ice is and addictive drug hence people start
consuming ice on regular basis thus becoming addicted to it and inundating the brain with
chemicals resulting in overdose of chemicals with adverse mental and physical effect. Ice
inhibit the brain to reabsorb these neurotransmitters, which in turn lowers the chemical
supply in the brain (Au.reachout.com, 2019). The excessive and continuous use of ice
destroys or damages the dopamine receptors present in the brain, which in turn inhibits the

2ICE AND MENTAL HEALTH
person to sense normal without consumption of ice hence making a person completely drug
addict. The early effects of the drug last for about 4-12 hours after consumption depending on
the intensity of the drug consumed and the drug takes 1-2 days to leave the human body
completely (Healthdirect.gov.au, 2019).
Source: (Healthdirect.gov.au, 2019)
Methamphetamine exists in three different forms namely base, powder and crystal.
Methamphetamine in crystalline form is the most harmful and particular form of drug in
concern often known as “Ice” (Bullen, 2019). In the year 2013, 7% of the Australian citizen
claimed that they consumed methamphetamine all their lifetime and 2% claimed that they are
consuming methamphetamine from past 12 months (cracksintheice.org.au, 2019). The
frequency of methamphetamine or ice drug users significantly increased from 2010 to 2013,

3ICE AND MENTAL HEALTH
and was noted that majority of this drug user were male and young adults. The rate or
frequency of hospitalization have markedly increased in 2013 as compared to 2008. The
demographic summary of the hospitalized patient due to consumption of methamphetamine
drug showed that higher number of males were hospitalized with psychotic disorder as
compared to female. The typical age of patients ranging between 20-35 years
(Nceta.flinders.edu.au, 2019).
Source: (Nceta.flinders.edu.au, 2019)
Australia has developed various enterprises and conducted longitudinal trainings, which
offer the experts and people functioning in alcohol and other drug (AOD) with few insight
statistics of people consuming illegal drugs. These authorities include (Aph.gov.au, 2019):
 The National Drug Strategy Household Survey
 The Drug Use Monitoring in Australia (DUMA) program
 The Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS)
 Clients of Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Service (AODTS)