Chicken feed. Ice. Magic. Flowers. Glass.
What do these 5 words have in common? If you guessed they are street names for meth, you would be correct.
Approximately 252,000 Californians took methamphetamine in 2021. Most of them knew at least a few possible names for this substance. At Pacific Sands, we understand the urgency of knowing if your loved one is among those taking it. Your loved one likely won’t tell you on their own. This is why we aim to educate family members on the different signs of a meth use disorder. Today, we are going to discuss one of those signs: using street names for meth.
What Is Methamphetamine?
Methamphetamine is an illicit stimulant that impacts the central nervous system. This substance often comes with many side effects, such as decreased appetite, hypertension, and dilated pupils. It also results in long-term complications such as damage to the liver and kidneys, heart attacks, tooth degeneration, and malnutrition. People often take this substance by smoking, snorting, or injecting it.
Meth overdoses are possible experiences for people who take too much of the substance. A meth overdose is a medical emergency that requires 911 to be called. Being honest with the first responders can help them keep your loved one alive.
If someone leaves this substance behind or has been without it for several hours, they will experience meth withdrawal symptoms. While not typically dangerous, these symptoms can be very uncomfortable and come with fatigue and cravings.
Why Do Meth Street Names, Nicknames, & Slang Terms Exist?
Understanding what street names and slang terms exist for this substance is one way to identify meth if you suspect your loved one might be taking it. These terms are often only used by people who take the substance. Knowing what those terms mean gives you an idea of what your loved one might be taking.
These names are typically used to disguise the substance in a conversation, especially around loved ones or legal personnel. To someone who is not informed about these names, they can appear innocent and irrelevant.
Sometimes, meth slang may also be discussed in the pop culture and music your loved one consumes. In 2021, a study showed that 72% of the 325 most popular rap songs contained references to one or more substances. That same study showed that 50% of those songs included references to illicit substances, like methamphetamine.
Rap is not the only music genre that meth slang might appear in. It has also inspired many artists of rock and roll, R&B, pop, metal, punk, and more since the 1970s. Often, these artists are using slang terms as a way to disguise the substance from those who are unaware of the terms. Becoming aware of these nicknames gives you a better understanding of what your loved one consumes physically and through the music they listen to.
Most Common Street Names for Meth
Over the years, meth has developed multiple street names. These names often vary geographically, but many are the same across demographics. Some of the most common street names for methamphetamine include:
- Batu
- Black Beauties
- Bikers Coffee
- Chalk
- Chicken Feed
- Crank
- Crystal
- Cinnamon
- Glass
- Ice
- Meth
- Mexican crack
- Poor man’s cocaine
- Redneck cocaine
- Speed
- Stove Top
- Tina
- Uppers
- Yaba
- Ventana
Street Names for Specific Types of Meth
There are several types of meth that someone might take. These different types also come with their unique street names. Some of the ones listed above are more general indications of the substance. While these more precisely describe the kind of substance. The three most common types of meth include pink meth, blue meth, and crystal meth.
Pink meth – This type of meth has a pink tint to it due to red coloring. It is often flavored to taste like strawberries and is consumed orally. This substance frequently looks like rock candy and comes with the same side effects as other types of meth. Street names for pink meth include strawberry quick, soap dope, cheese, and go-fast.
Blue meth – Blue meth, like pink meth, is not any different from other types of meth except for its blue tint. Common street names for this substance include big blue, smurf dope, blue sky, blue magic, blue, and smurf.
Crystal meth – This is the most common type of methamphetamine and can appear as clear, crystal-like rocks. This substance can be smoked, swallowed, inhaled, or injected and produces side effects quickly. The most common nicknames for crystal meth include crystal glass, L.A. ice, L.A. glass, hot ice, quartz, assembled, and shards.
Other Meth Slang Terms
How someone takes meth comes with a specific set of slang terms as well. These terms often refer to the object being used to take the substance. For example, if someone is smoking meth from a pipe, the pipe might be known as a glass rose, bubble, oil burner, or pookie. Likewise, if someone is injecting the substance, the needles are often referred to as points, fits, rigs, or pencils.
The process of taking meth is also described through slang terms to keep others from knowing that they are planning to consume the substance. Your loved one may reference these phrases if they have been taking meth or are planning to soon. These include:
- Chicken flippin
- Speeding
- Getting fried
- Ramping
- Zooming
- Being spun out
- Tweaking
- Getting geared up
Polysubstance Meth Street Names: What Is Meth Called When Mixed With Other Substances?
Commonly, meth is combined with other substances. These include coffee, cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl. Typically, this is done to increase the supply or potency of meth. If meth, or another stimulant, is being combined with a depressant like an opioid, a common slang word for this practice is “speedball.” This is either done with it mixed or one right after the other.
This practice is hazardous and unpredictable. One of the dangers that are possible is overdose. The combination of different substances can make it more likely for someone to die by an overdose either because a substance masked the effects of another or they increased the impact.
With that said, it is a common enough practice that there are street names to describe different combinations. For example, coffee that has been laced with methamphetamine may be referred to as “biker coffee.” Cocaine and meth together are often known as either “croak” or “shabu.” Ecstasy mixed with this substance may be known as “hugs and kisses, party and play, or P and P.”
Other potential examples include:
- Goofball (meth and heroin)
- Screwball (meth and heroin)
- The Five Way (meth, cocaine, Rohypnol, alcohol, and heroin)
- Mexican Speedballs (meth and crack)
- Fire (meth and crack)
- Twisters (meth and crack)
- Jet Fuel (meth and PCP)
Get Treatment for Meth Use Disorder Today in Santa Ana, CA
You might wonder what you should do if you recognize your loved one using any of the abovementioned words. First of all, calmly discuss your concerns with your loved one. While their utilizing these words could be an indication they are taking meth, it does not always mean they are. Especially if they don’t have any other signs of a meth use disorder. If they do have other signs, discuss all of the signs and impacts you have seen meth have on their life.
If your loved one does have a meth use disorder, all hope is not lost. Gently urge your loved one to seek rehab for meth addiction. Keep in mind that this conversation may need to happen more than once. It can be easier said than done for your loved one to leave meth behind. There is a chance you both will have concerns and questions about what recovery will look like. Working with a solution-focused facility willing to address those concerns and questions helps make the transition easier for everyone involved.
Pacific Sands is a high-end facility with a 6-client maximum. This allows our staff to work directly with your loved one to discover the best way for them to find healing from methamphetamines. To learn more, contact us today at 949-426-7962.
Pacific Sands – The first step towards a new life.
