Is Blue Meth Real?

What is Blue Meth?

While it may sound like a made-up concept, the form of meth called “blue meth” is actually real. Of course, it is a relatively new type of meth, which is why many people may not have yet heard of it. Traditional meth is typically clear in appearance or can come in a light yellow or brown color.

Yet, ever since the appearance of ‘blue sky’ meth on the now-classic AMC series Breaking Bad, people have been asking: is blue meth real?

As with any type of meth, using this drug can have dangerous side effects, and should not be experimented with. If you or a loved one is struggling with meth abuse, Icarus Behavioral Health can help you overcome your substance use and get your life back on track.

Keep reading to learn more about blue meth, and how you can find professional treatment at our recovery center to stop using drugs successfully today!

A Brief History of Blue Meth

While it is not known exactly how blue meth, also referred to as “Smurf dope,” came to exist, many drug forums generally believe this substance to have popped up in the United States around the late 2000s.

Regular meth has had a significant presence within the drug trade in this country for nearly a century, and blue meth is just a new form of an already-existing street drug.

Blue meth was first discovered by Kansas police in 2010 and is suspected to have been brought into the US from Mexico. The coloring of this methamphetamine was believed to be caused by blue meth additives to disguise the product.

Blue methamphetamine seems to be particularly popular in California, Kansas, Utah, and New Mexico areas. Many drug dealers sell this product for nearly double the price of regular meth to outsell competing drug traffickers, claiming the drug’s blue color makes a higher purity for unsuspecting meth users.

However, “pure” blue meth is not a pure methamphetamine form. In fact, the various additives, such as food dye, used to give it its blue tint makes this drug less pure, and more dangerous as there is no way of telling what is being consumed.

Why Was Blue Meth Created?

Meth is a highly addictive drug, with a fairly high demand from consumers. Because of this, many drug dealers are regularly looking for new ways of “enhancing” their products’ marketability, including changing the color and claiming that these new forms can produce a superior high.

One theory behind the production of blue meth is that drug manufacturers created this drug form in an attempt to mimic the TV series Breaking Bad and its blue meth. This tracks relatively well with the timeline of its seizure in the US, but another important factor is reagent testing.

Many major drug busts include authorities testing crystals found in meth labs to see if they contain methamphetamine. These will turn pure meth blue. However, they cannot turn blue if they already have this color, making it harder to conduct drug busts and keep methamphetamine off the streets.

What Makes Meth Blue?

There are several ways in which a pure form of meth can be turned blue. In most cases, the manufacturer will add blue food coloring or chalk to create light hints of blue in their product.

Some manufacturers may take a more complex route, in which pseudoephedrine is mixed with battery acid or ammonia, and then combined with phenylacetone (P2P) and a chemical called methylamine.

This method is intended to create a highly pure form of meth, which is also able to work around restrictions set by the DEA on products that contain pseudoephedrine. However, there is no evidence to suggest that methamphetamine produced in this way is a stronger or purer form than other meth products.

Fictional Representations of Blue Crystal Meth

Breaking Bad is the most famous TV show to feature “blue sky meth.” This product is created in an early Season Two episode by lead character and chemistry teacher Walter White and his former student Jesse Pinkman. In the show, this type of meth is represented as being a highly pure and much more powerful form of the drug, helping them to create the largest meth operation in the show.

While Walter White’s fictional drug empire exclusively features blue meth and certainly leaves a lot to be desired by drug users and dealers in real life, there is nothing to suggest that this drug form is any stronger than regular crystal meth. Furthermore, as TV shows like Breaking Bad feature crystal meth in this light, so too does it glorify meth use for millions of potentially impressionable viewers.

Is Using Blue Meth Dangerous?

As with any form of drug abuse, using blue meth can be extremely dangerous. While this drug use may seem intriguing due to its heavy popularization in pop culture, it is important to be aware of the unfortunate consequences that come with using any form of this drug, including blue “sky” meth.

Short-Term Side Effects

When abusing blue meth in the short term, many people will still experience uncomfortable and potentially dangerous side effects. Some of the most commonly experienced symptoms of blue meth use include:

• Disrupted sleep patterns
• Nausea and vomiting
• Increased aggression
• Increased risk of stroke
• Anxiety
• Paranoia
• Hallucinations
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Skin issues from injecting meth

One of the biggest risks of meth abuse is the risk of overdose when taking this drug in high doses or mixing it with other substances. Common symptoms of a meth overdose include stroke, heart attack, aggressive or violent behavior, difficulty breathing, seizures, and other potentially life-threatening side effects.

If you or someone else is experiencing any of these symptoms after using meth, it is important to seek emergency medical help right away, as an untreated overdose can quickly become fatal.

Long-Term Side Effects

When abusing meth over a longer period of time, many people will develop an extensive set of physical and psychological symptoms, which can become permanent if not addressed in time. With long-term abuse, blue meth can cause changes to the user’s brain structure and even impair brain function.

This can lead to memory loss, psychosis, and other psychological issues. Long-term blue meth abuse can also lead to the worsening of or development of new mental health disorders, as well as various different forms of organ damage, primarily the liver, heart and kidneys.

Other long-term side effects of meth abuse include:

• Extreme weight loss
• Significant oral decay, or “meth mouth”
• Insomnia
• Psychosis
• Sagging or damaged skin

If you or a loved one is struggling with meth abuse and are unable to stop using this drug on your own, it is important to seek professional help immediately. The Icarus Behavioral Health treatment facility can help you get the care and support you need to overcome meth addiction.

Meth Addiction Treatment at Icarus

Icarus Behavioral Health provides a revolutionary new whole-health approach to treatment. Our facility provides comprehensive addiction and mental health services to those who are struggling with behavioral health issues, including meth addiction.

We offer an extensive variety of treatment options to help address all of your needs, whether they be physical, mental, or emotional. At Icarus, we understand that each of our clients has their own unique needs. That’s why we work with each of our clients to create a treatment plan that is tailored to their specific care needs.

When recovering at one of our facilities, you will receive the best care possible. While everyone’s recovery experience will differ based on their situation, your treatment process may include:

Medical Detox Program

For many people in recovery from addiction, a medical detox program will be the first step in their path to recovery. This is because many substances can cause intense and uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms once you stop using them, which can increase your risk of relapse without the right support.

Methamphetamine withdrawal in particular can be quite severe, as this period can bring both physical and psychological symptoms of withdrawal. The most common of these include fatigue, insomnia, headaches, anxiety, muscle spasms, depression, and intense meth cravings.

When recovering through the Icarus medical detox program, you will have access to medication-assisted treatment, nutritional counseling, and other therapeutic interventions to help minimize your withdrawal symptoms while under the constant care of licensed medical professionals.

Our staff of compassionate treatment providers is dedicated to ensuring your safety and comfort throughout the entirety of your withdrawal period. Once you have successfully completed the detox process, you will be encouraged to seek additional treatment through our other levels of care.

Inpatient Treatment Program

The Icarus inpatient rehab center is a state-of-the-art facility designed to help our clients receive the intensive and structured care they need to successfully overcome a substance addiction. When recovering from meth abuse, inpatient treatment can help remove you from the triggers and stress of everyday life, allowing you to focus solely on your recovery goals.

During your stay in our inpatient facility, you will be provided with a variety of services and therapies that will address both your substance abuse and the underlying causes of your addictive habits. This may include attending individual, group, and family therapy sessions, life skills training, and other medical services.

The goal of inpatient care is to give you the structure and support you need to take back control over your life and learn the necessary skills to maintain your sobriety once you are back to living an independent lifestyle.

Outpatient Program

If you require less intensive or more flexible care, then the Icarus outpatient program may be a good option for you. When attending outpatient rehab, you will be able to stay living at home and continue to take care of your regular responsibilities, while still receiving treatment on a regular basis.

Our outpatient program consists of various addiction support services, including regular counseling sessions and educational programs to help you understand your addiction and learn the necessary skills and coping mechanisms to stay sober.

Behavioral Therapies

When recovering from a meth addiction, behavioral therapies can help you to understand the underlying causes and triggers of your substance abuse and address these so that you can start leading a healthier, drug-free lifestyle.

At Icarus Behavioral Health, we offer both holistic and evidence-based therapies to our clients to help them restore their mental well-being and learn the skills they need to lead healthier and more mindful lives.

Some of the therapies you may participate in while recovering at an Icarus treatment facility include:

• Psychotherapy
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)
• Individual, group, and family therapy
• Holistic therapies (Music therapy, art therapy, etc.)

A Proven Resource for Treatment in New Mexico

At Icarus Behavioral Health, we are dedicated to providing our clients with the effective, quality care that they deserve. We have helped people from all over the country achieve lasting sobriety and emotional wellness.

We have facilities in Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, and more coming soon throughout New Mexico, where our clients can recover in restorative and scenic locations conducive to the restoration of their minds and bodies. With so many factors going into the recovery process, we make sure to work with all of our clients individually to understand their treatment needs and meet their expectations.

Start Your Recovery Journey With Icarus Today!

As intriguing as blue meth may seem, this drug abuse is just a short stop away from addiction and all of the unfortunate consequences that come with it. If you or a loved one is struggling with meth abuse, the Icarus Behavioral Health team is here to help.

We can help you safely and successfully recover from the effects of meth abuse and the toll these can have on your physical and emotional well-being. No matter where you are located, we can provide you with the recovery tools and resources you need.

To learn more about our recovery programs, reach out to one of our Icarus Admissions team members today. We can answer all of your recovery questions and get you started on achieving long-term sobriety, today!