Dangers

Crystal Meth

• More toxic than crack
• More addictive than heroin
  Gay and bi men on crystal are twice as likely to have an STD than guys who don't use crystal, this includes syphilis and gonorrhea.
• Guys who use crystal are four times more likely to get HIV than those who don't.
• Crystal is made of battery acid, drano and propane or starter fluid.
• Guys with experience using recreational drugs are turning down crystal, knowing that it is exceptionally addictive and not something they want in their lives.

Crystal meth affects the different parts of our bodies in many different ways.

See Tweaker.org for a diagram of the body, and roll your mouse over the body parts to learn more.

Crystal and HIV Meds
Crystal use can have series effects on your HIV infection. In the euphoria and resulting crash associated with crystal use, it is not only easy to forget to take your HIV medications, it is predictable.

Following Your Meds Schedule.
The absolute truth is that if you are on HIV medications you need to be at least 95% adherent in order to prevent developing genetic mutations in HIV that allow it to become resistant to the medications. Even more serious is the fact that some types of mutations can rule out an entire class of drugs, possibly leaving you with very few treatment options.

Stress On Your Body and Immune System.
On a related note, if you use crystal and take HIV meds, a few things should be brought to your attention. Liver function can be imparted by HIV, and for those with hepatitis B or C infections this is even more of a problem.

The liver serves as a detoxifier and when it is suffering, it can be difficult for it to break down medications or toxins, such as crystal. As a result, meth remains in the body longer, and at higher concentrations than in people without these conditions. You may be taking more of the drug than your body can handle, without knowing it.

HIV meds, particularly protease inhibitors, have a similar effect. Two of these meds-Norvir and Saquinavir, are especially known to slow the breakdown of many drugs. These meds can boost the amount of crystal hanging out in your body up to two or three times. So, if you take protease inhibitors, you should think about eliminating, or at least minimizing your use of meth. 

(Information above excerpted from "A Few Things to Know About Speed" published by the SF DPH and adapted from a Bay Area Reporter article.)