Medically Reviewed By: Manish Mishra, MBBS
Methamphetamine or crystal meth is a synthetic stimulant with effects similar to crack cocaine that is sometimes used to treat obesity and ADHD.
It is illegal to use without a prescription and can be incredibly dangerous when used recreationally.
Though there are various methods of use for the substance, when used recreationally, meth is often smoked.
To do so, people often use meth paraphernalia such as pipes. Meth pipes are typically made of glass and have a straight tube that leads to a bowl where the meth sits.
Features Of A Meth Pipe
Though the basics of a methamphetamine pipe can usually help you identify one, there are a variety of features that may make it easy to distinguish pipes for smoking meth from other pipes.
Pipe Bowl
One of the main parts of a meth pipe is the bowl. This is a small, spherical piece with a hole on the top.
The meth is placed into the bowl where it is heated and turned into vapors that you can smoke.
Mouthpiece
Another part of a meth pipe is the mouthpiece. The mouthpiece is actually a separate part used in smoking meth.
This is a small tube made of vinyl that is placed on the pipe portion of the meth pipe. The mouthpiece, as the name may suggest, is placed in your mouth to inhale the vapors.
Glass Pipe
Another meth pipe feature is the glass pipe. This is the straight tube that connects the bowl and the mouthpiece. Meth vapors travel through the pipe when you inhale.
Bong
Though this is not a feature of the meth pipe itself, sometimes people choose to smoke meth out of a bong rather than a pipe.
A bong is basically a water pipe, so the features are similar. However, bongs tend to be much bigger, making them easier to conceal.
Harm Reduction Practices For Smoking Meth
Though smoking meth is very dangerous and risky, there are some harm reduction services that can help you ensure you’re using the drug in the safest way possible.
Safe Smoking Kits
First, there are safe smoking kits. These are distributed by the government or other public health organizations and are meant to reduce risks associated with smoking meth, like drug overdoses.
In fact, president Biden recently announced that the U.S. government will provide safe smoking kits.
Safe smoking kits typically include alcohol swabs, mouthpieces, lip balm, and sometimes meth pipes. Some of these contents are used to prevent the spread of disease among people who smoke.
Test Kits
Another harm reduction strategy is the availability of test kits. Like other drugs, meth is sometimes mixed with other substances, like fentanyl, which can be fatal.
There are test strips available that can be used to test for the presence of fentanyl. If fentanyl is detected, do not use the meth.
Risks Of Smoking Meth
Like other kinds of drug use, smoking meth comes with a multitude of risks and side effects, especially when mixed with other substances like opioids.
Risks of smoking meth may include:
- addiction
- memory loss
- paranoia
- altered brain structure
- decreased brain function
- hallucinations
- altered motor function
- dental issues
- weight loss
- violence or aggression
- seizures
- irregular heartbeat
- high blood pressure
- difficulty breathing
- heart attack
- stroke
- overdose
- hepatitis
- tuberculosis
- other infectious diseases
- death
Treatment Programs For Methamphetamine Addiction
Methamphetamine addiction is incredibly hazardous to your health and can be fatal. Additionally, it can take complete control of your life.
The first step in making a recovery from meth abuse is to seek help from a healthcare professional. It can be hard to find the right addiction treatment, however, once you do, you’ll be on the road to recovery.
If you’re in the Massachusetts area, Bedrock Recovery Center is an excellent choice for meth use treatment and care for other kinds of substance use.
We offer a variety of services tailored to your needs, so you can be successful in your journey.
Treatment programs include detoxification, medication-assisted treatment, inpatient services, education, therapy, and support groups.
Find Drug Treatment Services At Bedrock Recovery Center
If you or your loved one is facing meth addiction, call our helpline at Bedrock Recovery Center today to learn about our effective and accredited treatment plans.
- Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/Methamphetamine-2020_0.pdf
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/methamphetamine/what-are-long-term-effects-methamphetamine-misuse
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) https://www.samhsa.gov/meth
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) https://aspe.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/101936da95b69acb8446a4bad9179cc0/overdose-prevention-strategy.pdf