You won’t find many characters as iconic as Walter White, or series as captivating as Breaking Bad.
The rollercoaster of a show takes us on a journey with perfectly ordinary characters, who soon find themselves edging deeper and deeper into the destructive world of crystal meth manufacturing and distribution.
Whether you’re Breaking Bad’s biggest fan, or you’re yet to watch the show, join us today as we explore the theme of meth within this powerful series, and explain why it’s so important to separate fact from fiction.
Many OK Rehab readers are currently dealing with crystal meth dependence or addiction problems. We urge anyone in this position to get in touch with us as soon as possible, and allow us to support you in your recovery journey.
To get the conversation started, please call our helpline on 0800 326 5559 (UK) or 0330 333 8188 (international).
What is Crystal Meth?
Crystal meth is a highly potent form of methamphetamine that usually takes the form of clear or bluish-white crystals. It’s known for being an incredibly addictive substance that can temporarily cause feelings of euphoria, but causes a severe “crash”, and often, serious long-term damage.
Shortly after using meth, individuals may feel elated and hyper-alert, but they may also experience a negative reaction, such as feeling confused or paranoid.
Other common symptoms are:
- Reduced appetite
- Elevated heart rate
- Dilated pupils
- Agitation
- Hyperthermia
Brain chemicals (dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin) change very quickly and significantly after taking meth, and eventually, the brain adapts to this.
Eventually, the crash comes. Extreme itching, severe low mood, insomnia, intense cravings, uncontrollable twitching and exhaustion are just some of the symptoms that may kick in during a crystal meth comedown. It’s a reaction to the intense change in brain chemicals that occurs during meth withdrawal.
Crystal meth addiction can develop very quickly, as the meth user may keep chasing the high they feel when they use the drug, and avoiding the low they experience during the comedown.
When someone is addicted to meth, they may experience damage to their neuronal structures, serotonin systems and dopamine transporters, which has a significant impact on their emotional state and behaviours. It may make them feel unmotivated, impulsive, paranoid, and forgetful.
Physically, they’re at a higher risk of developing many different health conditions, from chronic kidney disease to vision loss. They’re also more likely to suffer from a heart attack or stroke.
Overview: The Portrayal of Crystal Meth in Breaking Bad
So, how is crystal meth portrayed in Breaking Bad, and can the show be used as a teaching moment?
Breaking Bad is particularly accurate for a TV show, but the creator’s main priority was to entertain. Missing information, exaggerations, and even implausibilities, are to be expected.
In the wise words of organic chemist and Breaking Bad science consultant, Donna Nelson, “people have to remember that this is fiction…not a science documentary” (1).
Although there was an admirable effort made by Vince Gilligan to create a believable show, we can’t rely on a fictional entertainment series to educate ourselves on crystal meth.
Instead, rely on industry leaders, such as OK Rehab, to learn about the reality of meth, the dangers of meth addiction, and the options for meth addiction recovery.
Why Isn’t Crystal Meth Portrayed Accurately in Breaking Bad?
Elements of crystal meth are portrayed highly accurately in Breaking Bad, but the full picture isn’t representative of real-world meth use. Why is that?
1. Censorship
Gilligan faced many rejections when pitching Breaking Bad to television networks. Controversial crystal meth content was a key reason for this.
While this wasn’t a problem for the network AMC, who agreed to take on the show, there were still certain restrictions that had to be followed due to the intensity of the content. Details aren’t clear, but we can reasonably predict that various elements of crystal meth were left out of the show for censorship reasons.
2. Safety
Censorship aside, sharing the specifics of making and selling crystal meth could quickly become a safety disaster.
Certain processes are kept vague on the show, and not all details are accurate, which is most likely intended to prevent such disasters.
3. Accessibility
Creating a highly accurate chemistry show would alienate the average viewer, who wouldn’t understand the high-level, niche references, and potentially reduce the show’s entertainment value.
What Breaking Bad Gets Wrong About Meth
Don’t just take our word for it; let’s look at some examples of how Breaking Bad misconstrues the reality of crystal meth.
Fiction #1: Crystal meth is blue
If you’re a Breaking Bad enthusiast, you’ll remember the episode when Walt and Jesse produced “Blue Sky” meth, a 99.1% pure version of the drug, made with pseudoephedrine (Season 1, Episode 7: A No-Rough-Stuff-Type-Deal).
Also known as Fring’s Blue, Big Blue and Blue Magic, this meth received its recognisable blue tint during the unique manufacturing process. So, it’s a powerful Breaking Bad icon, but is it an accurate one?
Absolutely not.
In reality, crystal meth is colourless, or white when it’s pure. Unless blue colouring has been added, even the purest form of crystal meth won’t have a tint of blue.
The TV show uses Blue Sky as an entertaining, memorable visual that distinguishes Walt and his product from the rest of the meth world (fun fact: the “meth” we see on the show is made from dyed rock candy).
Evidently, Blue Sky is not an educational reference. In fact, science consultant Nelson specifically advised Gilligan against making the meth blue, but Gilligan chose to do so regardless, for entertainment value.
Fiction #2: Addiction is only a criminal issue, not a health issue
Some viewers may take a dangerous lesson away from Breaking Bad, and that’s the concept of addiction not being a health issue.
When we fail to recognise addiction as a health issue, it’s easy to go down the path of believing addiction is a choice, which is a notoriously damaging mindset.
While the show never explicitly states that addiction is not a health issue, the focus is clearly on manufacturers and their illegal actions, rather than crystal meth users and their health. This can take attention away from the fact that addiction isn’t something people choose.
Even when meth addiction is highlighted, such as through Jesse Pinkman’s ongoing battle, we mostly witness the dangerous decisions Jesse makes, rather than his medical experience of addiction.
At one stage, Jesse plans to sell meth to members of a Narcotics Anonymous group via Badger and Skinny Pete (Season 3, Episode 9: Kafkaesque).
Here, we clearly see the potential effects of meth on morality. However, we don’t get much insight into the full story of addiction, which includes the neurobiology of people with addiction, as well as the process of addiction recovery.
Fiction #3: All meth manufacturers are extremely wealthy
In the show, we observe Walt achieving major financial success through meth manufacturing.
A stand-out moment is when Walt’s wife Skyler takes Walt to a rented storage unit, where she’s keeping an enormous pile of their cash, and asks “how much is enough? When do we get our life back?” (Season 5, Episode 8: Gliding Over All).
Though money is a huge motivator for manufacturers and dealers, this extreme amount of wealth isn’t standard, especially not for the average dealer.
What Breaking Bad Gets Right About Meth
Now, let’s explore some accurate portrayals of meth seen in Breaking Bad.
Fact #1: Meth is extremely addictive
Breaking Bad viewers get a mostly accurate glimpse into the addictiveness of crystal meth. We see people’s lives seriously damaged as a result of their drug use.
Jesse’s journey is a prime example of this. Throughout the show, he battles addiction to meth, to the detriment of his health, relationships, and safety. We see the direct results of meth use up close and personal, with Jesse experiencing symptoms such as bruxism, anxiety, and dysphoria (Season 2, Episode 11: Mandala).
Fact #2: The Red-P method is used in the real world
In Breaking Bad, Walt and Jesse use the “Red-P” or “red phosphorous” method to manufacture crystal meth. We see this right from the Pilot episode (Season 1, Episode 1: Pilot).
Red-P isn’t a method created just for the show. It’s a common method in some areas, making this aspect of Breaking Bad highly accurate.
Fact #3: Crystal meth has dangerous effects
Even if the health effects of meth aren’t a main focus of Breaking Bad, various scenes reveal the serious physical and mental health symptoms that can occur due to meth use.
If we look at the character Wendy, a sex worker and chronic meth user, her first appearance immediately reveals the dangerous effects of meth.
Wendy is clearly emaciated, with wounds over her body, and decayed teeth, all common signs of meth addiction (Season 3, Episode 12: Half Measures).
Can Crystal Meth Addiction Be Treated?
Yes, anyone with crystal meth addiction has a chance to recover from this illness.
Some people worry that it isn’t possible to recover from meth addiction, as it’s known for being particularly challenging to fight.
However, effective treatment is out there, from medically-supervised meth detox and private meth rehab to group therapy and meth support groups.
Some rehabs are meth-focused, meaning all clients share a problem with meth, whereas others are generalist rehabs aimed at anyone with a dependence or addiction.
Different rehabs have different specialisms, which is why it’s so important to consider which services are important for you, and speak to OK Rehab advisors on how to select the best treatment provider for you.
To give you an idea of what makes rehabs unique, here are some questions OK Rehab advisors think about when researching treatment options for you:
- Do you have any mental health conditions?
- How long have you been addicted to crystal meth?
- Is your family supportive?
- Do you enjoy working out?
- Have you received previous treatment for your crystal meth addiction?
- Which symptoms of meth addiction are you experiencing?
Whenever you’re ready, get in touch with OK Rehab (0800 326 5559 for UK callers or 0330 333 8188 for international callers) to explore your options for meth addiction treatment in your local area.
How Can OK Rehab Help?
As entertaining as Breaking Bad may be, the reality of crystal meth addiction is devastating.
The earlier you seek professional help, the greater your chances of long-term recovery. We help you to achieve this by providing you with effective treatment options and guiding you through the recovery process, ensuring you feel heard and understood throughout.
Ready to consider your options? Don’t delay your decision. Please get in touch with the lovely OK Rehab team on 0800 326 5559 (UK) or 0330 333 8188 (international) today.
FAQs
Below, we answer some common questions around this topic:
1. Can you become addicted to meth after trying it once?
It’s not common to become addicted to meth after one use, but addiction is unpredictable, and meth is a highly addictive drug, so total abstinence is the most sensible approach to take.
2. What was used as meth in Breaking Bad?
In Breaking Bad, they used rock candy, flavoured with candyfloss, to create a substance that visually resembled meth. Due to the show’s introduction of the fictional “Blue Sky” meth, the rock candy was dyed blue.
3. Is meth addiction common in the UK?
Crystal meth is one of the less common addictions in the UK, though it’s still present.
In the US, it’s much more common, with half a million Americans using the substance every week (2).
References
[1] https://www.science.org/content/article/what-was-it-consult-breaking-bad
