There are two basic profiles of users reported by law enforcement and treatment providers:  students (both high school and college age) and white, blue-collar workers and unemployed persons in their 20s and 30s.

Use is widely prevalent in both urban and rural areas and equally divided among males and females. Women are more likely to use methamphetamine than cocaine.  Some areas are seeing an increase in the number of Hispanic and Native American meth users, though whites are still the most dominant users of the drug.

The drug is becoming more popular among persons 18 years and younger, as studies show teenagers perceive methamphetamine as safer, longer lasting and easier to buy than cocaine. The "Monitoring the Future" survey, which measures the extent of drug use among U.S. adolescents, found methamphetamine use among high school seniors more than doubled between 1990 and 1996. In addition, law enforcement officials have caught teens as young as 14- and 15-year-olds using and selling the drug. Teens whose parents talk to them about drugs are half as likely to use drugs as those whose parents do not speak to them on this topic.

Athletes and students sometimes begin using meth because of the initial heightened physical and mental performance the drug produces. Blue collar and service workers may use the drug to work extra or late-night shifts, while young women often begin using meth to lose weight. Others use meth recreationally to stay energized at "rave" parties or other social activities. In addition, meth is less expensive and more accessible than cocaine and users often have the misconception that methamphetamine is not really a drug. Truck drivers were among the first to abuse speed.  As methamphetamine became more available and more pervasive, it became the cheapest and easiest  'speed' to get within their occupational community.

Methamphetamine users who inject the drug and share needles are at risk for acquiring HIV/AIDS.

Methamphetamine is an increasingly popular drug at raves (all night dancing parties), and as part of a number of drugs used by college-aged students. Marijuana and alcohol are commonly listed as additional drugs of abuse among methamphetamine treatment admissions.

Believe it or not young mothers are also at risk.  The new , all-consuming burden of new mothers becomes the justification to use methamphetamine. As the responsibilities grow with their families, young women fall into the trap of trying to do everything perfectly.  If methamphetamine seems to facilitate daily life at first, they soon find the complications to their health and well being soon spin out of control.