About 1.6 million people in the U.S. use methamphetamine. If you are one of them, you will benefit from learning more about the difference between meth vs. glass and how to get help if you’re recovering from meth abuse at a meth addiction rehab center. At Crestview Recovery, we help those seeking support and guidance through their return to sobriety throughout the journey to remain productive and meth-free.
We’ll answer the question, “What is glass?” However, to understand the difference between glass vs. meth, you first have to know what meth is.
What Is Glass vs. Meth?
Methamphetamine hydrochloride is a chemical referred to as methamphetamine. It has many street names and various forms based on user preference. Its nicknames include glass, crank, meth, speed, and crystal meth.
Meth comes in powder form for those who snort, inject or eat it. When meth comes in a powerful, smokable form, it’s commonly called “glass” or “ice” because it resembles chips of ice or glass. However, there’s also a more specific answer to “what is glass?”.
What Is Glass?
Glass consists of 90% and 100% meth that resembles rock salt. It’s the purest form of meth. Crystal meth is the powder form that can be mixed with other materials. For the purposes of this blog post, we will use the two terms interchangeably.
The potent effects of methamphetamine are a primary reason why the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) classifies the drug as a Schedule II stimulant. That prohibits it from being available outside of a prescription. Still, people in Oregon are allowed to have small amounts of meth in their possession.
Using Meth
Most people smoke or inject meth so that it reaches the brain and bloodstream faster. That “rush” helps users feel the effects of the drugs more quickly. Some people also snort or take meth orally, which causes you to feel the effects within minutes.
While the drug can linger in your brain and central nervous system for a while, the high can start wearing off earlier. That leads to a binge and crash pattern where people with a meth addiction continually take the drug to keep from crashing.
How Is Meth Distributed?
Whereas cocaine is made from refined coca leaves, meth is made in a chemical laboratory. Glass gets packaged in plastic bags called “paper”.
How Is Glass Used?
Those who use glass place it in a pipe, heat it, and inhale the vapors. When the vapor enters your bloodstream through your lungs, it rapidly reaches the brain. As soon as it heats, the glass crystal change to liquid. When it cools, it returns to a solid form that’s reusable.
Since you can’t smell glass even when it’s burning, it’s easier to use in public without detection. In addition to recreational use, some people use it to stay alert at work. Sometimes, those who abuse the substance smoke for days then sleep 24 hours or longer.
What Meth Rehab Is Like During Your Stay
Now that you can answer the question of what is glass and know the difference between glass and meth, you may be wondering what treatment is like at Crestview Recovery. If you are struggling with meth abuse, quitting abruptly may lead to severe symptoms. Medical Professionals and psychiatric resources available here to help you through the transition, which may include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Mood swings
- Agitation
- Fatigue
- Psychosis
We began by proposing the question, “What is Glass?” and learned that it’s a very powerful form of methamphetamines. Once the drug is out of your body, you begin the work to gain skills needed for lifelong recovery. There are addiction counselors and peers available to help you through individual therapy and group therapy programs.
Meth users may smoke, snort or inject the drug. When it enters the bloodstream, it rapidly reaches the brain soon after.
Since meth doesn’t have an odor, it’s easier to use in public without being detected. More common than recreational use, many people use meth to stay alert at work. Sometimes, people who abuse meth stay up for days without sleeping.
Crestview Recovery Meth Rehab
At Crestview Recovery, we host up to 30 clients from the Pacific Northwest and beyond. If you live in Portland, Oregon, Montana, or Idaho and have meth or other drug abuse disorders, don’t hesitate to contact us. Our addiction treatment programs include dual diagnosis treatment, trauma therapy, and other treatment tailored to meet your needs.
If you or someone you love might benefit from a structured treatment program, contact professionals to walk you through the process. Crestview Recovery has medical detox and recovery support services for holistic healing opportunities. It takes a lot of courage to turn your back on your substance abuse disorder. Now, let us help you move forward.
Lifelong sobriety and recovery are the ultimate goals, but you get there one step at a time. To schedule a stay at Crestview Recovery’s meth addiction program, give us a call at 866.262.0531.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
