Stephen King 1403138
Assessment Item 1 – Work Effectively in AOD Sector CHCAOD402B
Marg Quon E107
Ice (crystal methamphetamine) It wouldn’t matter what drug I decided to write about because I have decided and firmly set in my mind to study all the drug categories. I believe it is essential, and an integral part of the dual certificate IV studies that we understand the scope the width and depth of all the substances before we are let loose on the public. At the top of my list, I decided the drug I would study in greater detail would be Ice (crystal methamphetamine). I believe "Ice" to be in top three substances (the other two in my opinion being Heroin and Alcohol) as being one of the most difficult scourges the broader community has to deal with today. “Alcohol (46%), cannabis (23%), opioids (19%, with heroin alone accounting for 14%), and amphetamines (5%) were again the most common principal drugs of concern” . Findings, (National Minimum Data Set (NMDS) 2009–10) The cost of Ice substance abuse to the client may well be the ultimate price of loss of life or severe irreversible brain damage. The client will most likely need to cope with disability of mind and body that can include psychosis, hallucinations, schizophrenia and delusions, etc. of which the client may never recover. In addition, the fractured/dysfunctional scars inflicted on family and friends, and the incalculable costs to the community are all hallmarks of this heinous drug called Ice. For the client, carers, family and friends the journey of recovery is extremely difficult. However, everyone can enjoy “recovery" and enjoy "a life well lived" the ultimate decision lay with the consumer. Methods of use Ice is most popularly injected or smoked (glass pipe or heated on foil to vaporize known as chasing) however it is also swallowed, snorted and inserted anally (shelving or shafting) Short term effects Not only has it been drummed into me at NMIT (Marg Quon) I have also read it many times that not everyone will have the same effects due to body makeup. That being; height, weight, male, female, metabolism, age and quality, etc. and those characteristics are obviously applicable to any drug/substance being used. That being said; the immediate effects of Ice can be experienced differently depending on the method of administration. Example, when injected directly into the blood stream there will most likely be an immediate explosive rush and sense of euphoria. Whereas, if swallowed Ice will take approximately 30 – 40 minutes to absorb through the stomach wall thus the effects build more slowly and felt somewhat different. Other effects include, increase in the libido, confidence more energy, being talkative, itching, scratching, dilated pupils being restless. Also, experiencing stomach cramps speeding up of body functions blurred vision and dizziness, etc. Withdrawal (coming down) The words “withdrawal/coming down” mean “when the effects are wearing off”. The client can experience paranoia, depression, severe mood swings, tension, exhaustion and particularly with Ice, out of control violence (Ice Rage). It is interesting to note St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne has built a special room for persons withdrawing from Ice as a harm minimisation strategy to help prevent them from hurting themselves and those around them. St Vincent’s has mentioned that an intoxicated user in the middle of an Ice rage can need up to six or more trained men to bring the consumer under control. Assessment Item 1 – Work Effectively in AOD Sector CHCAOD402B Marg Quon
Page 1
Stephen King 1403138
Assessment Item 1 – Work Effectively in AOD Sector CHCAOD402B
Marg Quon E107
Long term effects Regarding ongoing effects and the damage incurred along the way for the Ice user there is usually a number of things that will need care to be taken. Things like high blood pressure, possible heart attack or failure. Also, things like brain damage, lung damage a range of mental health problems including psychosis, hallucinations, paranoia and delusions. Chronic sleeping problems and malnutrition are also conditions that can present themselves. Stimulants Ice (crystal methamphetamine) falls into the stimulant category along with a number other substances. As a rule of thumb, they all have similar or same effects both short and long term across the spectrum of use. Most of them can be administered in a similar way either a couple or all of the ways following; smoked, injected, snorted, swallowed or inserted anally. For more detail refer table Note: The times listed for the effects of the drugs are dependent on a number of factors including individual tolerance, metabolism and general health. Names Immediate effects Long-term effects & Withdrawal effects associated risks STIMULANTS 1. Nicotine cigarettes High blood pressure Hypertension Irritability nicotine patches Rapid heart rate Heart disease Increased appetite snuff Insomnia Lung and other cancers Depression smokeless tobacco Feeling of relaxation associated with tobacco Increased alertness smoking tobacco Decreased appetite 2. Amphetamines and related drugs (speed) dexamphetamine Lasts 4–8 hours Inability to sleep Voracious appetite (Dexedrine) Hyperactive High degree of Prolonged sleep methamphetamine Excited state excitation Skin Nightmares methylphenidate Disinhibited complaints Anxiety (Ritalin) Sense of omnipotence Malnutrition Severe depression methylenedioxymetham- and invincibility Psychiatric (often with suicidal phetamine (MDMA, Decreased appetite disturbances Paranoia intensity) ecstasy) ephedrine / Dilated pupils and hallucinations pseudoephedrine High blood pressure Depression ‘diet pills’: phentermine Rapid heart rate (Duromine),diethylpropri Insomnia on (Tenuate) ice, shabu, crystal meth, base khat 3. Cocaine
Assessment Item 1 – Work Effectively in AOD Sector CHCAOD402B Marg Quon
Page 2
Stephen King 1403138
Assessment Item 1 – Work Effectively in AOD Sector CHCAOD402B
Marg Quon E107
coke snow crack
4. Caffeine coffee CocaCola cocoa chocolate bars
Can last up to 4 hours Feeling of selfconfidence and power, increased energy and decreased appetite
Loss of concentration and motivation Dizziness, aggression and mental disturbances Can cause psychiatric complications Inhalation can lead to tearing of the nasal wall heart rhythm problems
Craving Sleep disturbance Anxiety Depression
Lasts 2–4 hours Increased alertness Larger doses can delay sleep
Restlessness Upset stomach Can be harmful for people with heart problems
Headaches Irritability Tiredness
Services directory for drug and alcohol users http://www.vicdrugguide.org.au/handbook/ch01s08.php
Poly-drug Use – Frequency of use – Environment of use “Ice first hit the streets in Australia in the 1990s and injecting drug users soon found, even though their preferred substance might be heroin, they were okay to switch because Ice was much easier to find and what they had to pay was a lot less. Ice has been in and around the party and raves seen almost since its arrival in this country. Being categorised as a stimulant it automatically carries the ATS (Amphetamine – Type Stimulants) tag which conjures images of party/rave. “ATS (Amphetamine-Type Stimulants) users are known to use the drug in conjunction with alcohol, cannabis, heroin, MDMA, antidepressants and tranquilisers. The increasing prevalence of ketamine use in the ‘party drug’ scene has resulted in this drug being commonly used in conjunction with ATS either knowingly or in drug mixture tablets, sold as MDMA.” Findings, Australian Crime Commission (2006) Illicit Drug Data Report 2004-05, p.16
There are a number of different people/groups using Ice…Heroin users, friends, loading up at home before going out, younger people who smoke and snort on weekends and those who administer Ice as their preferred substance. One or two uses of Ice in a day will keep the user high for the best part of 24 hours…Ice (crystal methamphetamine) is the purest form methamphetamine said to be around 80% purity. Research Reflection After sifting through many articles, fact sheets and websites exploring Ice (crystal methamphetamine) it has enabled me to think more deeply and have more understanding across all facets of this substance. I feel better equipped to assess and observe the client more accurately. Gaining a better understanding of self administration and how the body responds to each method and how polydrug use can mask and confuse client assessment if the worker is unaware. Understanding the different people and groups that use gives invaluable background knowledge of community, culture, attitude, personality and character of the client. Being informed and aware of the complexities of withdrawal, immediate, short and long term effects and their consequences all lead to making sound judgement. All this is essential in building an accurate picture towards providing the client with holistic transportable support across what could be the involvement of Assessment Item 1 – Work Effectively in AOD Sector CHCAOD402B Marg Quon
Page 3
Stephen King 1403138
Assessment Item 1 – Work Effectively in AOD Sector CHCAOD402B
Marg Quon E107
many providers…detoxification, psychotherapies, psychiatrist, psychologist, therapies, medication and possible hospitalisation both medical and mental health care.
References: 2010 National Drug Strategy Household Survey report http://www.aihw.gov.au/publication-detail/?id=32212254712 Services directory for drug and alcohol users http://www.vicdrugguide.org.au/handbook/ch01s08.php http://www.druginfo.adf.org.au/fact-sheets/fact-sheets http://www.aihw.gov.au/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=10737420891 Australian Crime Commission (2006) Illicit Drug Data Report 2004-2005, p.16
Assessment Item 1 – Work Effectively in AOD Sector CHCAOD402B Marg Quon
Page 4