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Ice facts
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| Low to moderate doses | |
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| Higher doses |
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A high dose of ice can cause a person to overdose. This means that a person has taken more ice than their body can cope with. The risk of overdose increases if the strength or purity of the ice is not known. Injecting ice increases the risk of overdose due to large amounts of the drug entering the blood stream and quickly travelling to the brain.
'Ice psychosis' is caused by high doses and frequent heavy use. It is characterised by paranoid delusions, hallucinations and bizarre, aggressive or violent behaviour. These symptoms usually disappear a few days after the person stops using ice. |
Coming down
As the effects of ice begin to wear off, a person may experience a range of effects. These effects can last several days after use and may include:
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Long-term effects
The long-term health effects of ice use include:
- malnutrition and rapid weight loss due to reduced appetite
- chronic sleeping problems
- reduced immunity and increased susceptibility to infections, due to not sleeping or eating properly
- cracked teeth and other dental problems from clenching the jaw, grinding the teeth, dry mouth and poor hygiene
- high blood pressure and rapid and irregular heartbeat, which places stress on the heart and can increase the risk of heart-related complications such as heart attack and heart failure
- increased strain on the kidneys, which can result in kidney failure
- increased risk of stroke
- depression, anxiety, tension and paranoia
- brain damage: there is some evidence that ice can damage brain cells, resulting in reduced memory function and other impairments in thinking.
Some other long-term effects of ice are related to the method of use:
| Snorting |
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| Smoking |
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| Injecting |
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Other effects of ice use
Taking ice with other drugs
The effects of mixing ice with other drugs, including alcohol, prescription medications and over-the-counter medicines, are often unpredictable.
If ice is taken with other stimulant drugs (such as cocaine or ecstasy) the stimulant effect is increased placing enormous pressure on the heart and body, which can lead to stroke.
Taking ice with depressant drugs such as alcohol, cannabis, heroin or benzodiazepines also places the body under great stress.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Read about the effects of amphetamines on pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Driving
Read about the effects of amphetamines on driving.
Tolerance and dependence
There is evidence that after prolonged use ice is highly addictive. People who use ice regularly can develop dependence and tolerance to it, which means they need to take larger amounts of ice to get the same effect.
Dependence on ice can be psychological, physical, or both. People who are dependent on ice find that using the drug becomes far more important than other activities in their life. They crave the drug and find it very difficult to stop using it.
People who are psychologically dependent on ice may find they feel an urge to use it when they are in specific surroundings or socialising with friends.
Physical dependence occurs when a person’s body adapts to ice and gets used to functioning with the ice present.
Getting help
Treatment
In Australia, there are many different types of treatments for drug problems. Some aim to help people to stop using a drug, while others aim to reduce the risks and harm related to drug use.
Find out more about treatment.
What to do if you are concerned about someone's drug use
If you are concerned about someone’s drug use, there is help available. Contact the alcohol and drug information service in your state or territory.
What to do in a crisis
Always call triple zero (000) if a drug overdose is known or suspected—and remember that paramedics are not obliged to involve the police.
If someone overdoses or has an adverse reaction while using ice, it is very important that they receive professional help as soon as possible. A quick response can save their life.
Visit the Better Health Channel to read St John Ambulance's advice on drug overdose.
Ice use in Australia
Statistics
According to the National Drug Strategy Household Survey for 2010, 2.1% of Australians aged over 14 years had used amphetamines in the previous 12 months. For more statistics about the use of ice in Australia, visit our Quick statistics page.
Ice and the law
Ice is illegal in Australia.
Federal and state laws provide penalties for possessing, using, making, selling or driving under the influence of ice. Penalties can include fines, imprisonment and being disqualified from driving.
Some states and territories have programs that refer people with a drug problem to treatment programs where they can receive help rather than going through the criminal justice system.
Please note: This information does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon in this way. The information is correct at the time of publication. For information specific to your situation contact a legal aid service in your state or territory.
Read more about drugs and the law.
National drug policy
Australia’s national drug policy is based on harm minimisation. Strategies to minimise harm include encouraging people to avoid using a drug through to helping people to reduce the risk of harm if they do use a drug. It aims to reduce all types of drug-related harm to both the individual and the community.
Educational resources on ice
Search the ADF Shop for ice resources.
This information has been adapted from the pamphlet How Drugs Affect You: Ice, produced by the Australian Drug Foundation. For single copies of this pamphlet, contact DrugInfo (Victoria only). Multiple copies are available from the ADF Bookshop.Last updated: 18 January 2013
than other forms of amphetamine, including the powder form that is sometimes referred to as “speed”.
This means that ice generally has a stronger effect that lasts for longer than other forms of amphetamine. It also has stronger side effects and a worse “comedown”.
Amphetamines, including crystal methamphetamine, belong to a group of drugs called stimulants. They speed up the messages going between the brain and the body.
