Meth To Madness

Methamphetamine is known by many street names. Meth, crystal, crank, ice, uppers, tweak, shards, chalk, speed are only a few of them. The drug is classified as a “psycho-stimulant” of a class of drugs known as the phenethylamine and amphetamines. Methamphetamine’s cause a number of effects which while using the drug seem to be beneficial. These effects quickly fade and change into hallucinations and psychosis. The addictive and psycho active effects of meth make it one of the most dangerous street drugs.

Look at it this way. Think of your brain as a faucet that releases small amounts of dopamine and nor-epinephrine, these chemicals are produced by your body naturally and give us a normal since of euphoria and self-esteem and an overall positive attitude. Well Methamphetamine can be thought of as a monkey wrench so to speak, that loosens that faucet releasing a flood of the natural chemicals. Methamphetamine stimulates the central nervous system so much that it's continued use can result in permanent damage.

Meth abusers can end up altering the normal functions of their brains. Studies have shown that using Meth will reduce your motor skills and impair your ability to communicate and learn verbally. Furthermore, studies of abusers of Meth have shown problems such as memory loss, concentration and emotional problems as well.

Constant use of Meth can also have you addicted and lead to permanent brain damage. Even after a person stops taking Meth they can be mentally altered for life.

Meth mimics cocaine. Meth has the same physical effects as cocaine. You will have a since of insomnia, you will suffer from a lack of appetite, your will suffer a rapid heart rate and irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, and hyperthermia. These are not impressive symptoms.

According to the NIDA, over time with prolonged use and abuse of Meth there can be some even more negative health consequences. These consequences include; rapid and major weight loss, severe dental problems (“meth mouth”), anxiety, confusion, mood disturbances, and violent behavior. Meth can even make you psychotic, paranoid. Meth addicts often suffer from hallucinations and delusions with a feeling of bugs crawling on your skin. Are you scared yet? Well how about this. Diseases such as HIV, hepatitis B and C have been transmitted by Meth abusers via the sharing of contaminated needles, syringes and other paraphernalia when getting high. This is understandable due to the fact the Meth abusers develop an altered since of judgment and lose their inhibition. For the drug and to obtain more of the drug they will do pretty much anything. This includes engaging in unhealthy habits such as having unprotected sex. But you don’t have to take my word for it. The National Institute of Drug Abuse can tell you better than I can. According to the NIDA, abusing meth may “worsen the progression of HIV/AIDS and its consequences.” The NIDA states that, studies of HIV positive meth abusers show “that HIV causes greater neuronal injury and cognitive impairment for individuals in this group compared with HIV-positive people who do not use the drug.”

Methamphetamines are classified as a Schedule II drug. Unfortunately Methamphetamine does have a medical use. It can be prescribed by a doctor but typically in very low doses.

Meth is an “odorless and bitter-tasting” chemical. In powder or crystal form it can be dissolved in water or in alcohol and drank. Meth can also be injected with a needle, snorted and or smoked. No matter what way it is taken Meth can be very addictive and it can kill you. DON’T TAKE IT!

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Meth affects the body’s natural dopamine and “dopamine is involved in reward, motivation and the experience of pleasure and motor function.”

Mary Rieser, Executive Director of Narconon Drug Rehab in Georgia, explains that Meth is one of the most highly addictive and dangerous drugs used by drug addicts and public awareness should be raised about.

"Methamphetamines, says Ms. Rieser, “are called the Devil’s drug or Hitler’s revenge for good reason. The evils of this drug are not comfortable to face, but the fate of methamphetamine users and their families is far more uncomfortable if the drug use does not stop.”

Treatment for methamphetamine addiction involves intervention, treatment, therapy, family education, counseling, support, drug testing, nondrug-related activities such.

A good sign is that the once popular trend of Methamphetamine use among teens is dropping. According to the NIDA, a 2009 monitoring the future survey showed a drop in the number of high-school seniors reporting past-year use of Meth. This is of course good news, but Meth abuse and all drug abuse is not completely eradicated in this country. You must get informed and educate all those you may care about and come in contact with. With the increased use of prescription drugs and OTC abuse and addiction, the last thing we need is for the monster Meth to rear its ugly head again.

“When a child or adolescent abuses alcohol at an early age or becomes sexually active at an early age, studies show they are more likely to abuse and take methamphetamine. And, as we now know, methamphetamine is a highly addictive drug so that child at risk of mental illness or even death. Once is often enough to get you hooked.” says Mary Rieser. Get the facts and arm yourself and your family against the enemy of drug abuse and addiction. If we all inform just those around us we will have informed each and every one of us. It’s as simple as that.