Meth Addiction And It's Effects

Methamphetamine, or meth as it is popularly called, is a central nervous system stimulant. The potential for its abuse is very high, making the drug particularly dangerous.

Meth is a white, odorless crystalline powder that tastes bitter. It dissolves easily in water and alcohol. The drug can be ingested orally, by snorting or intra-nasally, by injecting through a needle, or by smoking. Meth in its crystalline form is also called crystal meth, speed, Tina, ice, glass, etc. Meth is always procured illegally. As the ingredients of the drugs are made up of over-the-counter medicines and household chemicals, it is reasonably easy to manufacture the drug. The active ingredient in methamphetamine is either pseudoephedrine or ephedrine.

How Meth Works

Many users start using meth for fun. A large number of them do not know how the drug works on the body. Meth is considered a recreational drug because it gives the users a 'high' when used. Intravenous injection or smoking brings about immediate feelings of euphoria after an initial 'rush' that lasts for a few minutes. The feelings experienced during a high include increased confidence and strength, a feeling of alertness, increased sexual desire, etc.

Meth works to release high amounts of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain. This enhances the mood of the drug user and produces a high. This high can last for as much as 2 to 14 hours. The parts of the brain that control learning and other memory functions are affected in the beginning. On persistent use, the parts of the brain that control involuntary actions such as breathing are affected. Meth use is then directed from these areas of the brain and this is when it starts to become an addiction.

The high is typically followed by a 'crash', which is an uncomfortable bout of depression. Drug users are known to keep injecting extra doses of the drug to extend the high and postpone the crash. This inevitably harms the body and mind and leads to severe cravings for the drug and addiction.

Meth Addiction

Meth is a highly addictive drug; it alters the personality of the user and can cause bizarre and violent behavior. The effects on the central nervous system include paranoia, irritability, insomnia, and confusion. They have hallucinations and are prone to have suicidal/homicidal thoughts. Reduced levels of dopamine can cause mental illnesses such as schizophrenia. Increased heart rate and blood pressure causes damage to the blood vessels, which may lead to stroke. Other problems include arrhythmia, anorexia and respiratory problems. Muscle, liver, and kidney damage is seen to occur because of the elevated temperature of the body.

Long-term meth addicts are prone to gum disease, cracked teeth and tooth decay. They do not respond to facial expressions and exhibit bizarre actions such as self biting, banging head on the wall, scratching the skin and hair pulling. They have skin lesions due to poor blood circulation and decreased appetite that causes weight loss.

The medical complications that arise out of meth addiction effect almost every major system in the body. Methamphetamine is thus a very addictive drug that leads to chronic disease. Treatment for meth addiction involves a two-step method, firstly, meth detoxification, and secondly, meth rehabilitation. Meth addicts may require more than one bout of treatment to return to normal life.