Tweaking is a term heard among drug users describing the behavior of someone addicted to stimulants and looking for their next fix. It primarily applies to people who use methamphetamine. Understanding this and other slang terms can help you recognize more about a person’s drug use and how to help them.
What Does Tweaking Mean in Drug Culture?
The term tweaking refers to drug-related paranoia. It’s primarily experienced by meth users but may also affect users of other stimulant drugs.
What Is Tweaking?
Tweaking occurs when a meth or other stimulant user comes out of a period of prolonged drug use. While on a binge, users have incredible energy and often don’t sleep or eat for days. When an individual stops using, either from exhaustion or because they’ve finished their stash of drugs, they may exhibit bizarre and unpredictable behavior. As the high wears off, they become paranoid and psychotic. They’re frequently extremely agitated, hyperactive or frantic and experience severe mood swings. Known as tweaking out, a meth or stimulant user going through this experience can pose a danger to themselves and others.
Drugs That Cause Tweaking
The drugs that cause tweaking include:
- Methamphetamine. Meth is an extremely strong and addictive drug that causes intense and extended highs followed by severe paranoia, agitation and mood swings.
- Amphetamines. These are typically prescription drugs taken at higher-than-recommended doses. While these drugs aren’t as strong as meth, withdrawal from amphetamines may cause tweaking.
- Cocaine. Withdrawal from heavy cocaine use often results in tweaking.
- Synthetic cannabinoids. These synthetic drugs have high concentrations of substances similar to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) from the cannabis plant. Withdrawal from them may cause tweaking symptoms such as paranoia, anxiety and palpitations.
Slang Terms That Reveal Drug Use Patterns or Stages
People in the drug culture have developed a complete street language to describe those who use and the drugs themselves. Many terms have double meanings, which can make it difficult for nonusers to follow the language.
Common slang terms for drug users:
- Junkie. A person addicted to drugs
- Tweaker. The behavior of a person addicted to meth
- Meth head. Someone addicted to methamphetamine
- Burnout. A person who shows emotional, mental and physical deterioration as a result of their drug addiction
- Dope fiend. Someone addicted to hard drugs such as heroin or cocaine
- Stoner. Someone who uses marijuana
- Pillhead. A person addicted to prescription drugs such as painkillers and sedatives
- Crackhead. Someone addicted to smoking the solid form of cocaine made by cooking cocaine powder
Common stimulant drugs and their street names:
- Methamphetamine. Tweek, hiropon, hot ice, water
- Amphetamine. Head drug, white cross, hearts, fives, snap
- Cocaine. Flake, sporting, foo-foo dust, stardust, dream, double bubble
- Synthetic cannabinoids. Spice, fake pot, green giant, K2, serenity
Slang terms for buying, selling and using drugs:
- Buying. Scoring, connecting, copping
- Selling. Serving, pushing, source, dealing
- Using. Faded, high, lit up, buzzed
- Snorting drugs. Hitting the slopes, sniffing, bipping, doing a line
- Injecting drugs. Shooting, banging, booting, slamming
- Smoking drugs. Blasting, poking, blazing, toking, burning
How Street Language Reflects Behavioral Symptoms
Street language terminology may appear innocuous and even inoffensive. However, the purpose of drug user street language is to avoid detection as well as arrest by law enforcement officers. It helps drug sellers and buyers find other drug culture insiders and identify people who aren’t part of the culture.
Street language lets users talk about drugs discreetly without drawing unwanted attention from family, outsiders and authorities. The language helps create a sense of belonging that draws drug users into the culture. Street language can also help drug sellers and users skirt the law.
Signs Someone May Be Using Stimulants or Other Substances
At first, it can be difficult to recognize stimulant or substance abuse in someone you love. But as they become more dependent, the need to experience a high and the cravings that occur between fixes increase. At this point, you’ll start to see behavioral, physical and other changes related to stimulant dependence.
Signs of stimulant and other substance abuse in a loved one may include:
- Secretive behavior. They become evasive or dishonest about what they do and who they meet when they go out. Secretive behaviors can include hiding things and being unwilling to allow family members to enter their room, open their bags or handle their clothing.
- Lack of money. Your loved one is suddenly always short of money and continually asks for advances or loans. You may notice money and valuables disappearing.
- School or work problems. Their dependence affects their ability to concentrate and complete tasks, leading to lower grades at school or a decline in job performance and serious employment issues.
- Physical changes. They may be tired or run down and have bloodshot eyes, poor skin tone and dental problems from the effects of substance abuse. They neglect their appearance.
- Loss of motivation. Your loved one shows little motivation and is no longer interested in doing things with family and friends.
Attempts to help will usually be rebuffed, especially if you suggest they need to see a medical professional.
Dangers of Normalizing Drug Terminology
As society becomes more used to drug use terminology, the behavior itself may be seen as normal, resulting in more people experimenting with drugs and alcohol. According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, by the time children reach the 12th grade, more than 36% have tried illicit drugs. The outcome of normalizing stimulant use has been a significant increase in related overdose deaths.
The Importance of Awareness and Early Intervention
If you notice a sudden change in your loved one’s behavior, it’s vital to identify the cause. Adolescents in particular experience many challenges, and they can easily be led astray. If someone you love has started experimenting with drugs or is showing signs of substance abuse, it’s better to act sooner rather than later.
Don’t Ignore Tweaking and Other Symptoms
If someone you care about begins exhibiting strange behaviors such as tweaking or paranoia, there’s a chance they’re experimenting with meth or other stimulants. Early intervention may prevent the development of a more severe problem and lasting emotional, physical and intellectual harm. Contact us at FHE Health for a confidential discussion. We offer state-of-the-art inpatient and outpatient treatments for all types of substance abuse.
