Crystal meth (tina): effects, dangers and harm reduction

What is crystal?

Methamphetamine, known as crystal, tina or ice on the gay scene, is a stimulant from the amphetamine family. Drogues Info Service states that its effects are two to five times more intense and longer-lasting than amphetamine. It comes as crystals, powder, capsules or tablets, and is smoked (pipe), snorted, swallowed or injected. Less common in France than cathinones, it’s very present in chemsex in some big cities and abroad.

Effects sought

Again according to Drogues Info Service: self-confidence, euphoria, energy, no tiredness or hunger, sexual disinhibition. Effects last 6 to 30 hours or more, depending on dose and route; smoked or injected, the “rush” is immediate.

The dangers

Heart and brain

• racing heart, high blood pressure;
• risk of stroke and heart attack;
• overheating (hyperthermia), which can lead to collapse, loss of consciousness or cardiac arrest.

Mind

Drogues Info Service describes: paranoia, persecution ideas, aggression, severe depression, auditory and tactile hallucinations (feeling bugs under the skin, “meth mites”). Multi-day sessions without sleep make everything worse.

Dependence

Tolerance builds fast; psychological dependence shows as intense craving. Comedown and withdrawal: extreme tiredness, anxiety, insomnia, depression, which make stopping hard.

Sexual health

Long sessions, many partners, lowered vigilance: higher risks of HIV, hepatitis C (especially when slamming or sharing pipes) and STIs (Sexosafe). Booty bumping and mixing add further risk.

Mixes to avoid

According to Drogues Info Service: MAOI antidepressants (hypertension, serotonin syndrome), alcohol (toxicity), LSD or MDMA. Watch out for interactions with some HIV treatments too (dangerous combinations).

Reducing the risks

Advice from Drogues Info Service, Sexosafe and AIDES:

• don’t use if you’re tired, depressed or have a heart or psychiatric history;
• drink water regularly, take breaks, eat; have sugar and vitamins afterwards;
• never share pipes, straws or syringes (free kits from harm-reduction services and AIDES in France);
• PrEP, condoms, lube;
• limit session length and plan for sleep;
• for chest pain, collapse or confusion: call emergency services (15 or 112 in France).

Need help?

If you can’t have sex without tina any more, if comedowns become unbearable: it’s not weakness, it’s the drug. AIDES (WhatsApp +33 7 62 93 22 29) and Drogues Info Service (0 800 23 13 13) can refer you to specialist teams (where to find help).