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What is methamphetamine? Methamphetamine
is generally known as "speed," "meth," and "chalk." The
smoked form is often referred to as "ice," "crystal,"
"crank," and "glass." It is a white, odorless,
bitter-tasting crystalline powder that easily dissolves in
water or alcohol. It was created early in this century from
its parent drug, amphetamine, and was used initially in
nasal decongestants and bronchial inhalers. Like
amphetamine, it causes increased activity, decreased
appetite, and a general sense of well-being. The effects of
methamphetamine can continue for 6 to 8 hours. Following the
initial "rush," there is usually a state of high agitation
that, in some individuals, can lead to aggressive behavior.
How is methamphetamine used?
Methamphetamine is available in many forms and can be
smoked, snorted, orally ingested, or injected. The drug
changes moods in various ways, depending on how it is taken.
In the 1980's, "ice," a smokable form of methamphetamine,
came into use. Ice is a large, usually clear crystal of high
purity that is smoked in a glass pipe like crack cocaine.
The smoke is odorless, leaves a residue that can be
re-smoked, and produces effects that may continue for 12
hours or more.
As with like stimulants, methamphetamine typically is
used in a "binge and crash" pattern. Since tolerance for
methamphetamine happens within minutes - meaning that the
enjoyable effects disappear even before the drug
concentration in the blood falls considerably - users try to
preserve the high by binging on the drug.
What are the effects of methamphetamine abuse?
As a strong stimulant, methamphetamine, even in slight
doses, can intensify wakefulness and physical activity and
decrease appetite. Those who smoke or inject methamphetamine
describe a short-lived, intense sensation, or rush. Oral
ingestion or snorting produces a ongoing high instead of a
rush, which reportedly can continue for as long as half a
day. Both the rush and the high are believed to result from
the discharge of very high levels of the neurotransmitter
dopamine into areas of the brain that control feelings of
pleasure.
Methamphetamine abuse has toxic effects. The large release
of dopamine produced by methamphetamine is thought to
contribute to the drug's toxic effects on nerve terminals in
the brain. High doses can raise body temperature to
dangerous, often lethal, levels, as well as, cause seizures.
Long-term methamphetamine abuse results in many destructive
effects, including addiction. In addition to being addicted
to methamphetamine, chronic methamphetamine users exhibit
symptoms that can include violent behavior, anxiety,
confusion, and insomnia. They also can display a number of
psychotic features, including paranoia, auditory
hallucinations, mood disturbances, and delusions (for
example, the sensation of insects creeping on the skin,
which is called "formication"). The paranoia can result in
homicidal as well as suicidal thoughts.
What are the health problems of methamphetamine
abuse?
Methamphetamine can cause a diversity of cardiovascular
problems. These include rapid heart rate, irregular
heartbeat, increased blood pressure, and irreversible,
stroke-producing injury to small blood vessels in the brain.
Hyperthermia (elevated body temperature) and convulsions
occur with methamphetamine overdoses, and if not treated
immediately, can result in death.
Chronic methamphetamine abuse can result in inflammation of
the heart lining, and amongst users who inject the drug,
damaged blood vessels and skin abscesses. Methamphetamine
users also can have episodes of violent behavior, paranoia,
anxiety, confusion, and insomnia. Heavy users also show
progressive social and occupational deterioration.
Severe lead poisoning is another possible risk for
methamphetamine users. A common method of illegal
methamphetamine production uses lead acetate as a reagent.
Manufacture errors therefore may result in methamphetamine
contaminated with lead. There have been documented cases of
acute lead poisoning in intravenous methamphetamine users.
Fetal exposure to methamphetamine also is a major problem in
the United States . Presently, research indicates that
methamphetamine abuse during pregnancy could result in
prenatal complications, increased rates of premature
delivery, and altered neonatal behavioral patterns, such as
abnormal reflexes and extreme irritability. Methamphetamine
abuse during pregnancy may also be connected to congenital
deformities.
What treatments are effective for methamphetamine
users?
Currently the most effective treatments for
methamphetamine addiction are cognitive behavioral
interventions. These methods are designed to help modify the
individuals thinking, expectancies, and behaviors and to
increase skills in coping with various life stressors.
Methamphetamine recovery support groups also appear to be
effective adjuncts to behavioral interventions that can lead
to long-term drug-free recovery.
There are currently no particular pharmacological treatments
for dependence on amphetamine or amphetamine-like drugs such
as methamphetamine. Antidepressant medications are helpful
in combating the depressive symptoms frequently seen in
methamphetamine users who recently have become abstinent.
Acute Methamphetamine intoxication can often be managed by
observation in a safe, quiet environment. In cases of
extreme excitement or panic, treatment with antianxiety
agents such as benzodiazepines has been helpful, and in
cases of methamphetamine-induced psychoses, short-term use
of Neuroleptics has proven successful.
Methamphetamine Rehab Treatment
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Methamphetamine Rehab treatment please contact us 24 hours a
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