Ice (crystal meth) (2024)

Key facts

Ice is an illegal drug.
Ice use can lead to psychosis, and an ice overdose can be fatal.
Speak with your doctor if you want to stop using ice.

What is ice?

Ice (crystal meth) is an illegal methamphetamine, a member of the amphetamine family of drugs. It is very addictive and is linked to chronic physical and mental health problems.

Ice is a central nervous system stimulant that affects the messages sent between your body and your brain.

It is purer and more powerful than other types of methamphetamine, such as speed.

It comes as little crystals that look like ice, or as a white-to-brownish, crystal-like powder. It has a strong smell and bitter taste. It can be:

injected
smoked
snorted
swallowed

Ice is also known as:

crystal meth
meth
shabu
crystal
glass
Tina
shard

What are the effects of taking ice?

Ice produces an intense rush that can make you feel happy, confident, energetic and alert.

You may also:

have an increased sex drive
feel itchy
have enlarged pupils
have blurred vision
grind your teeth
have a fast heartbeat
sweat excessively
have a dry mouth
shake and tremble
feel anxious

These effects can last for up to 12 hours.

Ice can affect people differently based on:

What can go wrong with ice?

Coming down from using ice may take several days. People who are 'coming down' may:

feel exhausted
have difficulty sleeping
have a reduced appetite
have headaches and dizziness
feel paranoid or confused
hallucinate
feel very irritable and sad

High doses of ice and frequent use can cause ‘ice psychosis’, which can last a few days, causing:

severe paranoid delusions and hallucinations
unusual, aggressive or violent behaviour

People who take a large amount or a strong batch of ice are at risk of overdose. The signs of overdose include:

heart palpitations
chest pain
breathing problems
seizures
uncontrolled jerking
being very agitated and confused
clumsiness
sudden, severe headache

An overdose can lead to:

cardiac arrest
unconsciousness
death

If you suspect someone has overdosed on ice, call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance. The ambulance officers don’t have to call the police.

Can ice cause long-term problems?

People who use ice repeatedly can develop problems including:

paranoia
memory loss
difficulty sleeping
extreme weight loss
dental problems
regular colds
trouble concentrating
stiff muscles
heart problems
kidney problems
depression
stroke

People who use ice regularly may also:

look much older than they are
find everyday activities less enjoyable
have rapid mood swings
become depressed and easily stressed
be susceptible to social, work and financial problems

People who snort ice are at higher risk of

What if I use other drugs or alcohol together with ice?

Using ice along with drugs like speed or ecstasy increases the risk of a stroke.

A person is at an increased risk of overdose if they use ice with:

alcohol
cannabis (marijuana)
medicines called benzodiazepines

Can I become dependent on ice?

People quickly need larger doses of ice to produce the same effect, making ice highly addictive.

Some users may feel like they need the drug just to get through the day. This can impact their:

life
work
relationships

People can also become dependent on ice. They may find it difficult to stop using ice or control how much they use. This is often due to withdrawal symptoms.

Withdrawal can be difficult and can lead to:

cravings
increased appetite
confusion
irritability
aches and pains
exhaustion
sleep problems
anxiety
depression
paranoia
psychosis

How can I stop using ice?

Getting off ice can be difficult. If you are struggling with withdrawal, speak with your doctor. They can help you manage withdrawal symptoms, and advise you on treatment options, such as:

support groups
counselling and therapy
referral to an addiction specialist
inpatient detox and rehabilitation

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Resources and support

See 'What are the effects of taking drugs?' on the Department of Health website for more information.

Find out more about how drugs and alcohol can impact your health, including where to find help and support.

You or someone you know may be finding it hard to manage issues related to drug use. You can try healthdirect’s Symptom Checker to get advice on when to seek professional help.

The Symptom Checker guides you to the next appropriate healthcare step for you. This could be:

self-care
talking to a health professional
going to a hospital
calling triple zero (000)

You can find support and more information about ice through the:

Cracks in the Ice website for information about crystal methamphetamine
Alcohol and Drug Foundation website, or you can call their Drug Info and Advice Line on 1300 85 85 84
Drug Help website or call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015
Turning Point website — Australia’s leading national addiction treatment, training and research centre — or call them on 1800 250 015
Touchbase website for Australians identifying as LGBTI
Narcotics Anonymous Australia on 1300 652 820
Lifeline on 13 11 14

Look below for more help and support in your state or territory:

Support for injection behaviour

If you inject ice, you can reduce your risk of blood-borne disease by attending a Needle and Syringe Program (NSP).

Needle and Syringe Programs provide clean needles or syringes to people who inject drugs. It’s sometimes referred to as ‘needle exchange’.

The types of Needle and Syringe Programs vary, from pharmacies to vending machines.

You can also find a local Needle and Syringe Program using the healthdirect Service Finder. Select ‘By name’ and type ‘needle’ into the search bar.