What is ice?

Ice (crystal meth) is an illegal methamphetamine, a member of the amphetamine (or amfetamine) family of drugs. It’s very addictive and is linked to chronic (ongoing) physical and mental health problems.

Ice is a central nervous system stimulant that affects how your brain works.

It’s purer and more powerful than other types of amphetamines, such as speed.

Ice can look like small crystals, or a white or brown powder. It has a strong smell and bitter taste. It can be:

• injected
• smoked
• snorted
• swallowed

Ice is also known by other names, such as:

• crystal
• crystal meth
• glass
• meth
• shabu
• shard
• Tina

What are the effects of taking ice?

Ice produces an intense rush that can make you feel:

• happy
• confident
• energetic
• alert

You may also:

• have an increased sex drive
• have enlarged pupils and blurred vision
• grind your teeth and have a dry mouth
• have a fast heartbeat
• sweat a lot and feel the need to itch
• feel anxious

These effects can last for up to 12 hours.

Ice can affect you differently based on:

• your size, height and weight
• how much you take
• how strong the ice is
• whether you are used to taking it
• whether you take other drugs at the same time

What can go wrong with ice?

‘Coming down’ from using ice may take several days. If you are 'coming down' from ice, you may:

• feel exhausted
• have a reduced appetite
• have headaches and dizziness
• feel paranoid or confused
• hallucinate
• feel very irritable and sad

You may also struggle to sleep for a few days after using ice.

High doses of ice and frequent use can cause ‘ice psychosis’, which can last a few days, causing:

• severe paranoid delusions
• hallucinations
• unusual, aggressive or violent behaviour

Overdose

You can overdose on ice if you take a lot at once or it is a strong batch. Some signs of an overdose are:

• heart palpitations and chest pain
• breathing problems
• seizures and muscle spasms
• being very agitated and confused
• clumsiness
• unconsciousness
• sudden, severe headache

An overdose can lead to issues with your heart and death.

Reducing harm from taking ice

Illegal drugs including ice can be laced or cut with other substances. There is no easy way to know how strong the batch is. This can increase your chance of harm.

Pill testing or drug checking services can help you check if a drug is unusually strong or mixed with other substances. Pill testing services are now available in some parts of Australia. However, it’s not widely available.

Can ice cause long-term problems?

People who use ice often can develop problems such as:

• difficulty sleeping
• extreme weight loss
• dental problems
• regular colds
• stiff muscles
• heart and kidney problems
• a higher chance of stroke

Ice can also affect your mental health. You may:

• have rapid mood swings
• be easily stressed
• enjoy daily activities less
• have memory loss and trouble concentrating
• have paranoia
• feel depressed

People who use ice often may also look much older than they are.

Long term ice users are more likely to have problems with:

• their social life
• work
• finances

People who snort ice are at higher risk of:

• nosebleeds
• sinus problems
• damage to the nose

People who inject ice and share needles are at greater risk of:

• tetanus
• blood-borne infections such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV
• vein damage
• endocarditis (a heart infection that can damage your heart valves)

Support for injection behaviour

If you inject drugs such as ice you can reduce your chance of getting a blood-borne disease. Go to a needle and syringe program (NSP) to get clean needles and syringes. An NSP is also called a ‘needle exchange’.

The types of needle and syringe programs vary, from pharmacies to vending machines. Some needle exchanges can also give you health advice.

What if I use other drugs or alcohol with ice?

Using ice along with other substances can raise your chance of harm. This includes taking ice with:

• ecstasy can impact your heart and brain, and increase anxiety
• alcohol can increase your chance of alcohol poisoning
• GHB, heroin or benzodiazepines can increase your chance of an overdose

Using ice with other drugs like cannabis (marijuana) can increase your chance of dependence on more than one drug.

Can I become dependent on ice?

You can get ‘hooked’ on ice. It is highly addictive.

If you are addicted to something you may feel like you need it just to get through your day. You may find it hard to stop using ice or control how much you use. This type of craving can impact your:

• life
• work
• relationships

You can also become physically dependent on ice. If you are dependent on a drug, you may have withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking it.

Over time, you may also need larger doses of ice to produce the same effect. This is known as tolerance.

Withdrawal symptoms can be difficult and might include:

• increased appetite
• confusion
• irritability
• aches and pains
• exhaustion and sleep problems
• anxiety, depression and paranoia

How can I stop using ice?

Getting off ice can be hard. Speak to your doctor if you are struggling with how much you are using ice or any substance. They can help you manage your symptoms, and talk to you about treatment options, such as:

• support groups
• medication to manage withdrawal symptoms
• counselling and therapy
• referral to an addiction specialist
• detox and rehabilitation

Resources and support

Find out more about how drugs and alcohol can impact your health.

There are many organisations that can support you and help you learn more about what happens when you use ice:

• The Cracks in the Ice has information about crystal methamphetamine.
• Go to the Alcohol and Drug Foundation website.
• Try the Drug Help website or call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015
• Turning Point is Australia’s leading national addiction treatment, training and research centre.
• The Touchbase website has drug and alcohol support for LGBTIQ+ Australians.
• Narcotics Anonymous Australia are available on 1300 652 820
• Call Lifeline on 13 11 14
• See 'What are the effects of taking drugs?' on the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website for more information.

Each state or territory has support services too.

• Australian Capital Territory
• New South Wales
• Northern Territory
• Queensland
• South Australia
• Tasmania
• Victoria
• Western Australia

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples

The Alcohol and Drug Foundation for resources for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, including information on ice

You can find more support and resources through:

• Your Room
• The Alcohol and Other Drugs Knowledge Centre
• an Aboriginal alcohol and other drug support service based in Victoria through Turning Point

Other languages

Visit the Health Translations Victoria website. The ‘Where can I get help when alcohol or drugs are a problem?’ video is available in different languages.