How Much Does Meth Cost?
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), a gram of meth can range between $3 to $500 depending on its purity. The drug is sold as a powder or a rock-like form called crystal meth.
Measurements for meth sold on the street are as follows:
- one-eighth of an ounce (an eight-ball) costs $200 on average
- one gram of meth sells for around $80, on average
- a dose of meth (.25 grams) sells for $20
Methamphetamine, also referred to as “meth”, is a street drug that closely resembles amphetamines used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
When smoked or inhaled, meth causes a flood of chemicals in the brain called dopamine which induces feelings of happiness and well-being.
Depending on a person’s tolerance, a single dose of meth can last six to 24 hours. People with a high tolerance can smoke as much as 1.75 grams, or a “teener”, per day.
What Factors Influence The Cost Of Meth?
As with other illicit drugs, street prices for meth are largely dependent on its formulation, purity, and where it’s being sold.
Most meth is “cooked” and smuggled across the border by drug cartels. The increased supply leads to lower prices near the border.
The effectiveness of border patrol and local law enforcement is also a major factor in its pricing in the United States.
Other factors that influence the average price of meth:
- meth costs less when it’s impure, which refers to how many additives are in the drug
- the price for meth is cheaper in big cities due to dealer competition
- supply and demand
- local law enforcement and criminal justice policies may influence prices in some areas
Risks Of Meth Use
People who use meth regularly may experience an array of physical and mental health issues.
Common side effects of meth use may include:
- rapid, shallow breathing or difficulty breathing
- irregular heartbeat and heart disease
- paranoia and agitation
- disconnection from reality, hallucinations, and psychosis
- gum disease and tooth decay
- liver damage
- seizures
Other non-economic costs of methamphetamine use include loss of employment, damage to relationships with family and friends, and a negative impact on your overall standard of life.
Treatment Programs For A Methamphetamine Addiction
If you or a loved one are abusing meth, help is available. The following evidence-based behavioral health services have proven to be effective in the treatment of meth addiction.
Effective treatment services for meth include:
- medication-assisted treatment (MAT) using methadone or buprenorphine
- intensive outpatient programs (IOP)
- medical detox for meth
- support groups
- crisis interventions
- inpatient drug rehab for meth
Find Treatment For A Substance Use Disorder
Call our helpline today for more information on drug addiction rehab programs available at Bedrock Recovery Center located in Canton, Massachusetts.
Our treatment providers can help you get on the path to long-term recovery from drug use.
- 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
- United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) https://www.unodc.org/drugs/en/get-the-facts/methamphetamine.html
