Crank drug is another name for meth, and it is one of the most deadly illicit drugs on the streets today. Anyone who can’t control their crank drug use should enter a meth detox center right away. The side effects of this drug can be life-threatening if left untreated. Methamphetamine fatal overdoses have tripled since 2015. You can avoid becoming one of the statistics by calling Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida at 866.294.5306 to begin a fully accredited meth detox program.
5 Shocking Facts About Meth You Should Know
Before the opioid epidemic in the United States, methamphetamine addictions destroyed many thousands of lives. Today, the crank drug has made a comeback, and it’s even more popular than before. If you or someone you know is experimenting with meth, here are five facts about the crank drug you should be aware of:
1. Crank Drug Is Available in Many Forms
The crank drug is a synthetic drug made using a combination of dangerous chemicals. It is a Schedule II substance under the Controlled Substances Act that has a high potential for abuse and addiction. The most common ingredient used to manufacture meth is pseudoephedrine derived from cold or allergy medications. The manufacturer may add other ingredients such as:
- Household drain cleaner
- Battery acid
- Antifreeze
- Lantern fuel
- Acetone
- Anhydrous ammonia (fertilizer)
These chemicals are toxic to the environment surrounding a meth lab and can cause a range of health consequences to humans and wildlife. For this reason, the EPA has established strict guidelines for meth lab cleanup procedures.
2. Serious Health Consequences of Meth Use
Long-term crank use can cause permanent damage to the brain, liver, kidneys, and lungs. Many people have suffered high blood pressure, strokes, seizures, and death due to meth use. People who inject the crank drug expose themselves to the risk of contracting HIV, hepatitis B and C, STDs, and other blood-borne viruses. Furthermore, some people experience itching sensations or a feeling of bugs crawling under the skin. This causes them to pick at the skin and suffer sores that become infected.
Meth also causes oral health issues such as decayed teeth, gum disease, dry mouth, and bad breath. These symptoms are referred to as meth mouth.
3. Meth May Contain Deadly Fentanyl
One of the scariest facts about the crank drug is that drug traffickers have begun lacing it with fentanyl. Fentanyl is 80 to 100 times stronger than morphine. Adding it to other drugs increases the potency without raising production costs. Many unsuspecting people have died of an overdose as a result.
4. More Young People Are Using Meth
In the past, meth was typically used by lower-income adult males. Today, people of all ages are using the drug. For instance, an estimated 9.6 million people under age 12 have used meth at least once. More than 338,000 teens and young adults use meth, and about 1.5 million people between the ages of 18 to 25 have used meth at least once.
Nearly 7 percent of high school seniors admit using meth at least once, with 2 percent of them using meth in the past 30 days.
5. Getting Caught with Meth Can Send You to Jail
Possessing, using, or distributing meth can cause severe legal consequences. Unlawfully possessing even a small amount is a felony and can cause you to pay hefty fines or spend time in prison. If someone overdoses on your meth, you may suffer stiffer penalties.
Simple possession of meth can result in fines ranging from $1,000 to $250,000 and up to 3 years in prison. Trafficking meth can result in 20 years of prison time and up to $5 million dollars in fines. If death or injury occurs, the person who sold the meth could spend 20 years to life in prison.
Seek Treatment at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida
If these facts about meth have you worried about your crank drug use, call us today at 866.294.5306 or use the convenient online form. A team of compassionate, skilled counselors and staff are ready to help you at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida.