Over 200,000 Texans aged 12 and older reported taking methamphetamine at least once in 2022. That’s nearly 1/3rd of the population of El Paso. How many people have loved ones who tried meth but don’t know about it? Has your loved one ever talked about their substance use right in front of you, and you had no idea?
A key strategy in addressing substance use is education and awareness. At San Antonio Recovery Center, we know that offering accessible substance use information can help you recognize when a loved one is struggling.
Today we’re going to be talking about street names for meth, what they are, and what you should do if you hear a loved one using them.
Street names don’t refer to the name of a road or highway. They refer to names used on the “street” when referring to substances like meth. These names are made to hide conversations about substance use from those who aren’t in the loop.
These conversations don’t usually happen in the open, but that doesn’t mean you’ll never come across a street name. You might overhear it in a conversation, spot it in a text on a loved one’s phone, or hear it in passing. When you do, it might catch you off guard or make you pause as you try to make sense of what was said.
The street names for meth are constantly evolving and vary from generation to generation, state to state, and even city to city. You can think about it much like localized slang. Some words are more universal while others can be so niche that only a few people use them.
Keep that in mind when you read over this presented list. Some of these street names are still in use, but there are many street names that we don’t know or aren’t as publicly discussed.
Some of the known, common street names for meth include:
The list above only scratches the surface of street names for meth. As we can’t possibly list every single iteration of street names for meth, the next best thing we can do is help you understand how they’re made.
Street names can derive from inside jokes in some cases, but more often than not, they’re based on how the substance looks, makes you feel, is consumed, or is produced. In the case of meth, it often is semi-transparent, comes in rock-like chunks or powder, and is white or off-white in appearance. It makes people feel energized and alert and is often made in “meth labs” using various chemicals such as ammonia. Most people consume meth by snorting, smoking, ingesting, or injecting.
With that in mind, let’s talk about some street names that are specific to each of these categories.
As we mentioned earlier, it’s not uncommon for street names to be used in text form. This includes any form of virtual communication, including on social media sites.
Social media, in particular, has made the spreading of street names that much faster. It can take street names that used to be exclusive to one city and make them popular in another. At the same time, it can make street names easier to identify if the posts are found by others.
On top of the spreading of street names, social media and texting have also led to emojis becoming a popular way to discuss substance use, too. Here are some of the currently known emojis that relate to meth and substance use:
We’ve already given you many tools to recognize an unknown street name, but there are some other tips we can share with you.
If you hear your loved one use a word you don’t recognize and you’re concerned about it, look for context. If you replace the word in the sentence with “meth,” does it still make sense? Have they been acting secretive recently? Were they trying to hide their conversation from you?
These are all important components of recognizing when your loved one may be engaging in meth.
Another good way to identify street names is by spotting side effects in your loved one. If they’re going as far as to use street names in conversation, they’re likely also deep enough in that they should be showing side effects of their meth consumption.
Short-term side effects only occur during and shortly after meth consumption, going away once meth has mostly left the body. Long-term side effects, on the other hand, are side effects that slowly develop over time with continued meth consumption.
Some of the short-term side effects of meth include heightened energy, changes in appetite, mood swings, increased confidence, and increased sex drive.
The long-term effects of meth vary much more than that. They often include a decrease in self-care which leads to meth mouth, increased paranoia, increased anxiety and depression, scarring, and decreased cognition.
So you’ve reached a point where you’re certain that your loved one used a street name for meth. What do you do now?
The most important step is to not rush into a conversation. You should talk to them, but only after you’ve had time to compose yourself and gather your thoughts. These types of conversations are rarely easy, and jumping into them rashly will not make them go any smoother.
People who are living with methamphetamine use disorders are aware that their loved ones will likely judge them and be angry at them for the circumstances they’re in. Approaching them with anger and judgment will not make them want to listen or open up to you. Instead, it’s critical to remind them that you care and want to see them happy and healthy. Be prepared to listen, and don’t be afraid to ask questions like where they see themselves in the future and what drives them to return to meth.
You can also offer your support on their path to healing. This step is often a large, daunting one, so having support from their loved ones helps more than you can imagine. You can research facilities with them and even drive them to their first appointment.
Finding a quality rehab for meth addiction is not only important for recovery, but it’s what you or your loved one deserves. A good facility is dedicated to you every step of the way, with the full continuum of care available. They will work with you and offer ongoing support so you’re set up for long-term success in your healing journey.
No matter your history with substance use, San Antonio Recovery Center’s team is here to help. With the largest alumni network in the city, we have a history of providing high-quality care, continued access to resources, and more. You’re worth every step, so let us help you take the first. Give us a call today at 866-957-7885 to get started.
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