1 Methamphetamine Awareness booklet – version 1 – April 2021 Deafness and Mental Health Statewide Consultation and Liaison Service Deafness and Mental Health Statewide Consultation and Liaison Service ______________________________________________ Methamphetamine Awareness Information about methamphetamine for consumers and carers
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1 Methamphetamine Awareness booklet – version 1 – April 2021
Deafness and Mental Health Statewide Consultation and Liaison Service
Deafness and Mental Health Statewide Consultation and Liaison Service ______________________________________________
Methamphetamine Awareness Information about methamphetamine for consumers and carers
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Deafness and Mental Health Statewide Consultation and Liaison Service ______________________________________________
This booklet has been developed by the Deafness and Mental Health Service and other stakeholders to be used as a resource in educating Deaf people about methamphetamine.
Illustrations and images were sourced from:
• Glickman, N. & Gulati, S. (Eds.). (2003). Mental Health Care of Deaf People: A culturally affirmative approach. New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
• Glickman, N. (2009). Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy for Deaf and Hearing Persons with language and learning challenges, Routledge Publishers. New York.
• Microsoft Clip Art, 2021
Our appreciation and thanks for supporting the development of this booklet goes to:
Addiction Services, Metro South Addiction and Mental Health Services, Metro South Health
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What’s in this booklet
What is methamphetamine?............................4
Types of methamphetamine..………………..……...5
Methamphetamine and the body…………………..7
Methamphetamine withdrawal……………………..8
Physical harm/risks…………...……………………….....9
Mental health risks……………………………………….10
Signs of social problems.……………………………….11
Signs of methamphetamine overdose.………….13
Access support and treatment…………….....…...15
The law on methamphetamine.………………..….16
Carer information….………………………………..……17
Where to get help…………………………………….....18
Emergency numbers…………………………………....19
Glossary………………………………………………………..20
Resources and websites………………………………..21
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Methamphetamine is a stimulant (pg. 20) that changes chemicals in the brain. It makes a person’s heartbeat and breathing go faster. Messages in the brain and body speed up, so the person becomes more…
Other names for methamphetamine are… Base Crystal Glass Shard Ice Meth
What is Methamphetamine?
It is a man-made substance.
Excited Energetic Confident
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1. Powder ‘Speed’ • White or near white powder
2. Base • Comes in different colours
• A soft paste like toffee 3. Crystal or ‘Ice’. • Clear like glass and white in
colour
• Purer and stronger than powder or base
How is Powder, Base, or Crystal taken?
Swallowed
Types of methamphetamine
Injected Inhaled or smoked
Snorted
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Deafness and Mental Health Statewide Consultation and Liaison Service ______________________________________________
Why people might use methamphetamine:
But the person may also experience…
Large pupils Dry mouth
Sweats
Less interest in food
Methamphetamine and the body
Fast heartbeat and breathing
Poor sleep
Feel warmer and sweat
To feel happier and excited
To gain more attention
To be more active and less tired
More interest in sex
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Deafness and Mental Health Statewide Consultation and Liaison Service ______________________________________________
Using methamphetamine over many weeks/months, the side effects become stronger…
Confusion Teeth/dental problems
Low mood
Memory loss
Hallucinations or paranoia
Weight loss
Using more methamphetamine to try and get the same high
Colds and flu
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Deafness and Mental Health Statewide Consultation and Liaison Service ______________________________________________
When trying to reduce or stop methamphetamine, the come down (low), might take 2 or 3 days and the person might experience…
Tiredness Anxiousness
Paranoia Mood swings
Body aches Depression
Strong cravings
Poor sleep
Methamphetamine withdrawal
Headaches
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Deafness and Mental Health Statewide Consultation and Liaison Service ______________________________________________
Sharing needles after injecting methamphetamine can spread viruses such as HIV/AIDs or Hepatitis B or C.
Snorting can damage the nose, making it dry or runny and may cause sinus infections or cause:
Nose bleeds, throat infections and pain
Injecting can cause infections
Physical harm/risks
Injecting can damage organs such as heart and liver
A person using ‘ice’ may develop itchy skin, sores or scabs:
• Due to burns from hot pipes
• Or thinking bugs are in the skin
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Deafness and Mental Health Statewide Consultation and Liaison Service ______________________________________________
If there is a history of mental health problems, a person may experience on-going issues…
Other risks Mixing methamphetamine (stimulant) with other substances or alcohol (depressant) may cause harm to self and others…
Depression Anxiety or panic attacks
Paranoia
Mental health risks
Heart problems Driving accidents
Not good to mix.
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Deafness and Mental Health Statewide Consultation and Liaison Service ______________________________________________
Relationship problems Money problems
Study problems Work problems or having no job
Getting arrested by police and/or going to court
Signs of social problems
Difficulty caring for your children
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Deafness and Mental Health Statewide Consultation and Liaison Service ______________________________________________
If a woman is pregnant or is breastfeeding while using methamphetamine, problems can happen…
• Miscarriage (baby dies before it is born)
• Premature birth (baby born too early)
• Baby born too small • Baby heart and brain problems • Passing Methamphetamine onto
the baby from the mother’s breast milk.
• Baby may have withdrawal symptoms
• The child may develop behavioural problems
A person may need to use methamphetamine to get through the day and feel normal again.
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Deafness and Mental Health Statewide Consultation and Liaison Service ______________________________________________
Severe headaches
Chest pain
Hot flushes and sweaty
Kidney pain
Hallucinating
Agitation
Fits, seizures
Signs of methamphetamine overdose
Paranoia
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If this happens, seek help! It is serious. Dial 000. See page 19 for more information.
1) Person unconscious (can’t wake up)
3) If the person is breathing again, place them in the recovery position.
2) Not breathing? start CPR
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Deafness and Mental Health Statewide Consultation and Liaison Service ______________________________________________
Make changes… If you use methamphetamine,
• Try to eat before using methamphetamine
• Be with someone before using methamphetamine
• Practice safe sex
• Know where to access clean syringes Seek help…
• Therapy – counselling and rehab
• Talk to a friend, health professional or family member.
Access support and treatment
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Deafness and Mental Health Statewide Consultation and Liaison Service ______________________________________________
Minimising harm. In the community, there are services and policies to reduce and prevent harm. These services help people to make decisions and choices and keep people safe. They are…
The law on methamphetamine
In Australia it is an offence/against the law to possess/have methamphetamine or have things used to take or make drugs e.g. pipe, scales etc.
In Queensland, it is law that people must put needles and syringes away safely.
A criminal charge/jail can be serious and may stop a person visiting other countries, fail to get a job or stop a promotion.
• Drug treatments
• Educational programs
• Counselling services
Put in a safe place
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Deafness and Mental Health Statewide Consultation and Liaison Service ______________________________________________
Worried that someone you care about is using methamphetamine? • Think about what to say to the
person.
• Think how to approach the person.
• Choose a quiet place and time so there are no interruptions.
• Listen to the person and understand their reason for using methamphetamine. Don’t blame!
• Don’t name call. Using the word ‘addict’ won’t help to support the person.
• Use “I” statements not “you” and explain your concerns on how the drug use impacts on you.
• Ask the person if they would like support from a professional.
Carer information
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Deafness and Mental Health Statewide Consultation and Liaison Service ______________________________________________
Talk through the National Relay Service (NRS) or the Video Relay Service (VRS).
Service Contact
NABS (National Auslan Interpreter Booking and Payment Service)
1800 448 448
ADIS (Alcohol and Drug Information Service)
1800 177 833
1300 MH Call 1300 64 22 55
Headspace 1800 650 890
National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline
1800 250 015
Kids Helpline 1800 551 800
Inclusion of Family Drug Support (FDS)
1300 368 186
Centrelink crisis payment for financial help
13 2850
Lifeline 13 11 14
Deaf Services 3892 8500 or TTY 3892 8501
Legal Aid 1300 65 11 88 or TTY service (07) 3238 3023
Community Legal Centres Qld http://communitylegalqld.org.au/
Disclaimer The material and information in this booklet is for educational purposes only. The information is not intended to replace medical advice offered by clinicians, but to assist Deaf people and other low language individuals with understanding health issues. Consumers should review the information with their professional health care provider. The Deafness and Mental Health Service will not be held liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary, or other damages arising there from.