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The Context of HIV Risk Among Drug Users and Their Sexual Partners

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TWEAKING, FREAKING, AND OVER-AMPING: LIFE ON<br />

METHAMPHETAMINE<br />

In street vernacular, shooting speed <strong>and</strong> having sex are linked together<br />

<strong>and</strong> referred to as “tweaking <strong>and</strong> freaking.” Tweaking <strong>and</strong> freaking<br />

represent a pattern <strong>and</strong> rhythm to the lives <strong>of</strong> some young people. For<br />

example, Jim reported that once he became a regular tweaker, he<br />

exhibited mood swings <strong>and</strong> self-destructive phases as effects <strong>of</strong> his drug<br />

use. Every time he injected speed, he would try to stay as high as he<br />

could for as long as he could for as many days as possible. His goal was<br />

to get as high as he could (get full) without over-amping (too many drugs<br />

for too long). Over-amping would make him too nervous <strong>and</strong> too<br />

irritable to be comfortable. To avoid the manic-like state that<br />

accompanied crashing, he stayed high by shooting up “just the right<br />

amount” <strong>of</strong> “just the right stuff’ at “just the right time” intervals. <strong>The</strong><br />

goal was to stay awake until he was so exhausted that he could put<br />

himself to sleep with a little alcohol.<br />

This cycle <strong>of</strong> tweaking, freaking, <strong>and</strong> over-amping methamphetamine<br />

leads to acts that further marginalize youths. <strong>The</strong>ft <strong>and</strong> petty crime are<br />

characteristic activities <strong>of</strong> the methamphetamine-using subculture. For<br />

example, Jim was hustling full-time when he joined in the petty crime<br />

that is a feature <strong>of</strong> the local speed scene.<br />

“If I was tweaked enough, I’d get a trick <strong>and</strong> he’d invite me to stay.<br />

I’d spend the night <strong>and</strong> tweak around, drawing <strong>and</strong> scribbling. If<br />

they were dumb enough to go to sleep when I was tweaking (laughs)<br />

in their house, they’d get robbed most <strong>of</strong> the time....Because that way<br />

I wouldn’t have to go back on the street <strong>and</strong> hustle....I’d go to my<br />

dealers. With a new flight jacket, get 1/2 gram for it. Jewelry, I had<br />

a gold class ring that I took, it had a sapphire in it, I got 1/16th for it!”<br />

In addition to the economic relationship between drugs <strong>and</strong> sex, drugs<br />

may have a psychologically numbing effect in sexual activity. Pleasure<br />

<strong>and</strong> self-worth are disassociated from behaviors. Mark explained how<br />

drugs allowed him to participate in otherwise unpleasurable sexual<br />

activity.<br />

“Just like the big fat guy that picked me up one time, gave me $300.<br />

But she (sic) wasn’t the most attractive thing in the world... but all<br />

she wanted to do was lay on top <strong>of</strong> (you), <strong>and</strong> do nothing, but lay on<br />

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