Ice and Mental Health: Comprehensive Analysis of Methamphetamine Use

This report provides a detailed overview of the effects of ice, also known as crystal methamphetamine, on mental health. It explores the drug's impact on the brain, its addictive nature, and the adverse physical, behavioral, and psychological consequences associated with its use. The report delves into the various forms of methamphetamine, the patterns of its consumption in Australia, and the demographic profiles of affected individuals. It further examines the short-term and long-term effects of ice, including euphoria, anxiety, psychosis, and potential for violence and suicidal thoughts. Additionally, the report outlines different treatment approaches, such as brief interventions, cognitive behavioral therapy, residential rehabilitation, and pharmacotherapy, along with the role of support systems and government initiatives in addressing the issue of ice abuse. The report also provides a comprehensive list of references for further study.

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)

4ICE AND MENTAL HEALTH
Australian Institute of Health and welfare (AIHW) conduct a review in every three years
on consumption of tobacco, liquor and illegal drug in Australia (Nceta.flinders.edu.au, 2019).
In 2016, household survey exhibited a drop in use of illicit drug from 2.1% in 2013 to 1.4%
in 2016. In spite of the decline observed in 2016 survey, it was also clearly demonstrated that
crystal form of methamphetamine was preferred and used with 57% of ice drug users in the
last 12 months (Aph.gov.au, 2019). Accordance to the illicit drug Data Report published in
2015-2016, it was observed that the number of people with positive methamphetamine drug
increased from 40.9% in 2014-15 to 50.55% in 2015-16.
Drug Category General Names Forms Mode of
administration
Methamphetamine Meth, whiz, speed,
goey, uppers, tail,
pep pills, base,
wax, red speed,
liquid red and
leopard’s blood.
Yellow, white or
brown powder,
medicines or
liquescent and
paste
Vaccination,
intranasal, oral and
anal.
Crystal
methamphetamine
d-meth, crystal,
batu, ice, glass,
and shabu
Crystalline Intranasal, smoking
and injection.
Source: (Darke, Kaye & Duflou, 2017)
The effect of Ice drug on an individual depends on different factors such as
(Betterhealth.vic.gov.au, 2019):
 Amount of drug consumed
 Method of consumption
 Height and weight of the individual

5ICE AND MENTAL HEALTH
 The physical and psychological status of the individual
 The purity and form of the drug
 Any additional substance or drug sued with the illicit drug
Consumption of the illicit drug has a major effect on the mental status of the individual
often leading to very serious health effect ranging from short-term effect to long-term effect
(Adin.com.au, 2019). The crystal form of ice is considered as the most pure and potent form
of drug leading to psychological effect on the brain as there is no safe level of drug
consumption or use. The effects of drug consumption can last for 12 hours and can cause
sleepless nights as side effect of the drug. The short-term effect of drug includes
(Nadk.flinders.edu.au, 2019):
 Euphoria
 Enhanced energy and alertness
 Increased physical movement
 Amplified aggression and hostility
 Symptoms of ice psychosis
 Anxiety and agitation
The long-term effect of drug include (Nadk.flinders.edu.au, 2019):
 Insomnia
 Violence
 Suicidal thoughts
 Psychotic behaviour or Psychosis
 Depression, paranoia and anxiety
 Poor memory and abridged concentration
 Muscle stiffness

6ICE AND MENTAL HEALTH
 Heart and kidney issues
 Extreme weight loss and reduced appetite
 Dental problems
If the person consume excess amount of drugs referred as overdose the severity level will
be very high and the person will require an immediate personal care in hospital. The effects
of overdose on a person include (Aph.gov.au, 2019):
 Sprinting heartbeat and cardiac pain
 Uncontrolled jerking
 Unconsciousness
 Heart attack or stroke
 Fits
 Severe headache
 Extreme confusion, agitation and clumsiness
The adverse effect of ice drug can be assessed and treated by using different treatment
options available worldwide, which include transitory intervention counselling, common
support groups, behavioural approaches, medications, and residential rehabilitations. Brief
interventions include the following approaches (Nationaldrugstrategy.gov.au, 2019):
 Mood monitoring
 Education
 Harm reduction guidance
 Screening and assessment
 Motivational interviewing
Cognitive behavioural intervention is included as the best approach for patient to reduce
the symptoms of amphetamine drug and depression according to Australian research. The

7ICE AND MENTAL HEALTH
concept of Residential Rehabilitation (RR) is considered as an effective approach for some
patients (Darke, Kaye & Duflou, 2017). In this method, the patient is kept in a suitable
environment with proper structure and long-term residential setting to remove the causes and
symptoms of drug (Health.gov.au. 2019). In Australia, an alternative model is introduced
known as Self-Management And Recovery Training (SMART) recovery, which assimilates
the element of self-help, CBT and mutual support model. SMART recovery has four major
elements for quick recovery for patients, which includes problem solving, managing with
desires to consume drug, motivational enhancement and evolving a stable lifestyle. The most
common approach of treatment for drug abuse is pharmacotherapy. Three major category of
medication treatment in case of illicit drug abuse are (ABC News, 2019):
 Comfort the sign and symptoms of extraction
 Support patient to stay away from drugs
 Treat problems such as mental problem and physical problem
Australia recently launched an Ice treatment method for reducing the level of illicit drug
and relapse. The early result was concluded based on the trail conducted on 1.15 million
people and result was six times better and efficient as compared to other traditional programs
(ABC News, 2019).
In conclusion, it could be said that, taskforce with all the findings was constructed by the
authorities with the help of Australian National Advisory Council on Alcohol and Drugs. The
commonwealth administration has established a broad inclusive set of different action set
with key solutions to challenge the problem of drug abuse (Health.gov.au, 2019). The action
taken on ice to assist the patient were such as support for families and Communities, target
deterrence and educating the patients, investing in treatment management and providing
support, attentive law execution, development of improved research, guidelines and evidence.

8ICE AND MENTAL HEALTH
This paper provided details about three major category of medication treatment in case of
illicit drug abuse, the factors depending on ice drug affected individuals and the pathway
these drugs affect the human brain.

9ICE AND MENTAL HEALTH
References:
ABC News. (2019). 'It rebuilds their lives': New ice treatment results six times better than
rehab. Retrieved from https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-26/australia-first-ice-
treatment-delivering-promising-results/9787058
adf.org.au. (2019). ADF - Drug Facts - Crystal methamphetamine, ICE. Retrieved from
https://adf.org.au/drug-facts/ice/
Adin.com.au. (2019). Crystal methamphetamine: support for family & friends - Alcohol and
drug search directory | ADIN. Retrieved from https://www.adin.com.au/about-us/103-
ice-support-for-family-and-friends
Aph.gov.au. (2019). Chapter 2 – Parliament of Australia. Retrieved from
https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Law_Enforcement
/Crystalmethamphetamine45/First%20report/c02
Au.reachout.com. (2019). Ice. Retrieved from https://au.reachout.com/articles/ice
Betterhealth.vic.gov.au. (2019). Ice. Retrieved from
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/HealthyLiving/Ice
Bullen, J. (2019). What happens to your body when you use ice?. Retrieved from
https://www.abc.net.au/news/health/2017-02-20/ice-what-happens-to-your-body-
when-you-use-the-drug/8275654
Cracks in the Ice, W. (2019). What are the effects of ice (crystal methamphetamine)?.
Retrieved from https://cracksintheice.org.au/how-does-ice-work
cracksintheice.org.au, W. (2019). Statistics about ice use in Australia. Retrieved from
https://cracksintheice.org.au/how-many-people-use-ice

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Darke, S., Kaye, S., & Duflou, J. (2017). Rates, characteristics and circumstances of
methamphetamine‐related death in Australia: a national 7‐year study. Addiction,
112(12), 2191-2201.
Healthdirect.gov.au. (2019). Ice and mental health. Retrieved from
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/ice-and-mental-health
Health.gov.au. (2019). Department of Health | Taking action to combat ice. Retrieved from
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/tatci
Nadk.flinders.edu.au. (2019). NADK :: What are the mental health risks of methamphetamine
use?. Retrieved from
https://nadk.flinders.edu.au/kb/methamphetamines/methamphetamine-and-health/
what-are-the-mental-health-risks-of-methamphetamine-use/
Narconon International. (2019). Effects of Ice Abuse. Retrieved from
https://www.narconon.org/drug-abuse/effects-of-ice.html
Nationaldrugstrategy.gov.au. (2019). TREATMENT APPROACHES FOR USERS OF
METHAMPHETAMINE. Retrieved from
http://www.nationaldrugstrategy.gov.au/internet/drugstrategy/Publishing.nsf/content/
8D2E281FAC2346BBCA25764D007D2D3A/$File/tremeth.pdf
Nceta.flinders.edu.au. (2019). Methamphetamine Use in Australia. Retrieved from
http://nceta.flinders.edu.au/files/4614/3130/6034/EN592.pdf