Meth Street Names, Nicknames, and Slang Terms

Understanding Methamphetamine

Illegal methamphetamine is created in meth labs by combining a number of harsh chemicals like household cleaners and ingredients common in powerful cough medicines. Due to the ease of obtaining these ingredients, homemade meth became a massive problem in rural America, resulting in widespread addiction, a rash of overdose cases, and incidents of poisoning and explosions caused by the volatile chemicals involved in its creation.

Slang terms for meth, its use, and other aspects of the culture surrounding it have been adopted by both dealers and meth users. They do this in an effort to elude authorities by avoiding using known terms like meth. Due to this, new slang terms are often adopted and old ones dropped.

The current, known, slang terms for meth include:¹

Slang terms for the act of getting high using meth include:

• Getting geared up.
• Chicken flipping.
• Hot rolling.
• Getting fried or foiled.
• Tweaking.
• Zooming.
• Getting scattered or spun out.

In some instances, meth is be mixed with other illicit drugs in order to intensify its effects or to alter the effects of other substances. Slang names for these combinations include:

• Fire.
• Shabu.
• Twisters.
• Hugs and kisses.
• Biker coffee.
• Party and play.

Take Our Substance Use Self-Assessment

Take our free, 5-minute substance use self-assessment below if you think you or someone you love might be struggling with meth use. The evaluation consists of 11 yes or no questions that are intended to be used as an informational tool to assess the severity and probability of a substance use disorder. The test is free, confidential, and no personal information is needed to receive the result.

If you or a loved one struggle with meth use, call American Addiction Centers (AAC) at . You can speak to one of our compassionate and knowledgeable admissions navigators, who can listen to your story, answer your questions, explain your options, and verify your insurance. You can also use the form below. By providing your name, contact information, and insurance provider, we can communicate directly with your insurance provider to find out if you are in-network with our facilities, the length of stay covered, and more, without the hassle of having you contact them directly. All information is confidential and there is no obligation to enter treatment.

Effects of Meth Use on Communities

It’s especially important to become familiar with slang terms around meth due to the fact that the drug has such a severe impact on communities where it’s available. It’s not just the fact that meth is addictive and its use is dangerous. Meth labs tend to appear in small, rural communities, and it can devastate youth and ruin the local economy.

In 2023, there were 75 known addresses across the United States where law enforcement agencies reportedly found chemicals or other items indicating the presence of either clandestine drug labs or dumpsites.² The increasing ease of producing meth to the point that it can be done in a basement, garage, or even in a 2-liter soda bottle puts families and neighbors at serious risk. It’s important that local citizens work together with police to root out these labs.

As dangerous as meth is, it’s even riskier to mix it with other substances. The stimulant effects of meth can already lead to heart failure and seizures, but these risks are compounded when it’s combined with another stimulant. At the same time, combining a stimulant and a depressant can mask overdose symptoms of either drug. In this case, by the time anyone realizes an overdose has occurred, it may be too late to get the person treatment before permanent damage is done.

Unfortunately, meth use has been on the rise in the last couple of years. Studies indicate that between 2015 and 2019, risky patterns of meth use as well as the diversity of the people using it increased.³ And in 2022, 1.8 million individuals aged 12 or older had a methamphetamine use disorder, the clinical term for a meth addiction.⁴

Luckily, effective treatment can help. By addressing the entire spectrum of physical problems and personal difficulties that have resulted from long-term meth use, recovery is possible. Treatment generally includes a combination of individual and group counseling, psychoeducation, medications (if necessary), and behavioral therapies which can help you change your thoughts and behaviors surrounding meth use and teach you strategies to manage cravings and avoid relapse.

Call AAC at today, and let us help you start your path to recovery today.