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Low intensity Abuse
Low-intensity abuse describes a user who is not psychologically addicted to the drug but uses methamphetamine on a casual basis by swallowing or snorting it. Low-intensity abusers want the extra stimulation the methamphetamine provides so that they can stay awake long enough to finish a task or a job, or they want the appetite suppressant effect to lose weight. -
Binge Abuse
Binge abusers smoke or inject methamphetamine and experience euphoric rushes that are psychologically addictive -
The Rush
The rush is the initial response the abuser feels when smoking or injecting methamphetamine; it can last 5 to 30 minutes.
During the rush, the abuser's heartbeat races and metabolism, blood pressure, and pulse soar. -
The High
The rush is followed by the high.
The abuser often feels aggressively smarter and becomes argumentative, often interrupting other people and finishing their sentences.
The high can last 4-16 hours -
The Binge
The binge is the continuation of the high. The abuser maintains the high by smoking or injecting more methamphetamine until they can no longer achieve the high they desire. During the binge, the abuser becomes hyperactive both mentally and physically. The binge can last 3-15 days -
Tweaking
Tweaking occurs at the end of the binge when nothing the abuser does will take away the feeling of emptiness, including taking more methamphetamine. Tweaking is the most dangerous stage of the methamphetamine abuse cycle -
The Crash
To a binge abuser, the crash means an incredible amount of sleep. The body's epinephrine has been depleted, and the body uses the crash to replenish its supply. The crash can last 1-3 days. -
Withdrawl
The individual becomes depressed and loses the ability to experience pleasure. The individual becomes lethargic; he has no energy. Then the craving for more methamphetamine hits, and the abuser often becomes suicidal. If the abuser, however, takes more methamphetamine at any point during the withdrawal, the unpleasant feelings will end.
