What Does Meth Look Like?

What Does Meth Look Like? – Meth (methamphetamine) can be found in two common forms – as a crystalline powder and as glass-like rocks known as crystal meth. Less commonly, the drug is also sold in pills or as a waxy, gooey oil known as meth base. Regardless of its form, meth delivers an intense and energetic high. It can also produce dangerous side effects, including a rapid and irregular heartbeat, elevated body temperature, convulsions, and even death. People who routinely use meth can easily develop an addiction. Long-term meth use is well-known for its devastating health effects. Meth is usually whitish or translucent, but it also can appear in a variety of colors depending on how it is prepared and what other drugs or substances are combined with it. Meth makers have been known to add food coloring or dye to batches of meth to help sell their product. For example, they have reportedly added blue coloring to the drug in an attempt to mimic the purportedly pure blue meth produced by the fictional character Walter White in the popular AMC television series “Breaking Bad.” Pure meth, however, isn’t blue – it’s colorless.

What Does Meth Look Like?

Powdered Meth

Crystalline powder is a popular form of meth that is often snorted. Because meth dissolves in water and alcohol, it can also be administered by injection. Also, some people prefer to mix meth with a liquid and swallow it. Powdered meth may resemble cocaine or chalk dust depending on its coarseness. As noted, while the powder is usually white to off-white, it can also appear yellow, pink, or a variety of other shades. The processes and materials used to manufacture the drug affect its color. For example, cooking meth using red pseudoephedrine tablets can give the powder a pink or reddish color. Meth produced with gun scrubber, a gun cleaning product sold in sporting goods stores, can have a green color. Solvents such as camping stove fuel can result in a bluish tint.


Crystal Meth

Powdered meth can be transformed into crystal meth, a more potent form that looks like shiny fragments of glass, quartz or rock salt. Crystal meth is produced by dissolving meth powder in a solvent, such as acetone or denatured alcohol. As the concoction evaporates, clear, chunky translucent, white, or bluish-white crystals form around the edge of the mixing container. This form of meth is typically smoked or injected. It induces a longer-lasting high than powdered meth and more intense physical effects. Small doses of crystal meth will increase a person’s energy levels and suppress their appetite. But using large amounts, especially on a routine basis, can lead to severe psychological issues, such as paranoia, hallucinations, and violent rage. Other signs of meth use include marked weight loss, tooth decay, sores, and frequent scratching.


Meth Tablets

Meth Tablets

Desoxyn (methamphetamine hydrochloride) is a prescription-only stimulant indicated to treat particularly stubborn attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or as a treatment for obesity. Although it has a very limited medical use and is not as popular as other better-known medications like Adderall or Ritalin, it is still used often enough to be of significance. Moreover, Desoxyn pills may be diverted from legitimate prescription holders and used illicitly. Meth is sometimes sold as a small, green or reddish-orange colored pill known as yaba that contains a mix of caffeine and approximately 30% methamphetamine. Similar to ecstasy and other club drugs, yaba is often stamped with logos, most commonly the letters R or WY. Although people usually swallow yaba, some melt the pills and inhale the vapor or crush and snort it. It can also be combined with solvents and injected into a vein. The pills primarily originate from Burma and are sold in Thailand, but they have also been trafficked into the U.S. through the mail. Yaba is most common in East and Southeast Asia, but meth pills have been found in the U.S. rave scene, as well.


Liquid Meth

Drug smugglers frequently dissolve meth in water and traffic the drug in liquid form. Liquid meth is a syrup-like, dark yellow fluid that is usually stored in liquor bottles and other common containers. However, meth is rarely sold on the streets as a liquid. After it is trafficked, it is usually boiled back into a powder for consumption or sale.


Treatment for Meth Addiction

Meth addiction is a devastating condition that gradually destroys the mind and body of those who suffer from it. Individuals who are dependent on meth are encouraged to seek help as soon as possible before circumstances worsen further and result in permanent impairments or death. Our center offers comprehensive, evidence-based treatment in both partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient formats. All of our programs include services critical to the recovery process, such as psychotherapy, psychoeducation, individual and family counseling, and group support. We employ caring, knowledgeable medical professionals who administer services to our clients with compassion and expertise and also provide them with the resources they so desperately need to recover and enjoy longstanding wellness and sobriety. Please contact us immediately if you are ready to regain your life free of drugs or alcohol! We can help!


6 thoughts on “What Does Meth Look Like?”

  1. Cynthia Newstrom

    The symptoms of a person on meth vary depending on how long they’ve been using. Another variable is time for example meth produced during the 80s and 90s was stronger than today’s product. But if thier a new user eye contact is difficult. Sleeping is irratic, eating and drinking are neglected. Thier will be a period where the drive for sex is seemingly the only thing they think about and will experiment with same sex relationships. Fidgeting, talking fast, anxious, unable to focus, eventually paranoia sets in things you’ve misplaced are blamed on someone else, which is a catch 22 thier could be someone stealing from you, think about it your hanging out with them. Projects started will get all of the focus but never be finished for one reason or another. Hygiene habits fall off. Bills stop getting paid, you either quit or are fired from your job. They start selling or trading thier stuff and borrowing money and when that’s no longer an option stealing from family, friends, neighbors and shop lifting. Never on time it’s to hard to get out the door you might miss something. I hope this will be helpful. Thank you.

  2. I’m a ex meth head it ruined my life but I struggle with not using every day especially since it’s right next door to me. I need help please

  3. This may sound strange. Never done meth so here goes. I was told about someone being in meth says he didn’t know it was in a vap. But I done his wash. It came out with something looking like sand all over it. Could of I washed his meth or would it all wash away? So one of you are surly lol.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *