Methamphetamine: The Facts

Meth: The Facts

 

Methamphetamine is a common drug among the world today. Many people don't really think about it when people mention it in passing, but it a very dangerous substance. Meth, as it is commonly known, is HIGHLY addictive. It's operation is similar to that of cocaine, but unless it is smoked or injected, it acts more slowly, therefore it takes long to develop an addiction to it. Usually, what happens is that the user just uses it every now and then, eventually the body builds somewhat of a tolerance for it and the user needs higher and higher dosages of it until they are completely addicted to it and can't properly function without it. As you can see, this makes it very dangerous to even try it. ^[1]

 

 

History of Meth

• first synethsized in Germany in 1887
• in 1920's it was seriously investigated as a cure for anything from depression to decongestion
• 1930s amphetamine was marketed as Benzedrine in an over the counter inhaler to treat nasal congestion
• by 1937 amphetamine was available with prescription in tablet form.
• 1919 methamphetamine was discovered in Japap known to be more potent and easier to make.
• During WWII amphetamines were used to keep the fighting men going
• during the Vietnam War American soldiers used more amphetamines than the rest of the world did in WWII.
• 1950s in the U.S. legally manufactured tablets of both Dexadrine and Methadrine and became widely available and were used nonmedically by college students, truck drivers and athletes.
• amphetamines became a cureall for all things such as weight control to treating mild depression.
• 1960s the pattern changed drastically with the increased availability of injectable methamphetamine
• 1970 the Controlled Substances Act severely restricted to legal production of injectable meth.^[2]

 

 

How is it abused?

• meth is a bitter tasting crystalline powder that easily dissolves in water or alcohol.
• it can be:
  • orally
  • intranasally
  • by needle injection
  • or by smoking

 

How it affects the brain:

•  increases the levels of dopamine, which is involved in:
  • increased motivation
  • experience of pleasure
  • and motor function.^[3]

 

 

 

 

Effects of Meth:

-Euphoria

-Increased Energy & Attentiveness

-Diarrhea or Nausea

-Excessive sweating

-Loss of appetite, Jaw clenching or Tremors

-Aggitation or Obsession with Repetative tasks

-Talkativeness, Irritability or Panic Attacks

-Increased Libido^[4]

 

 

Side Effects of Meth:

-Drug Craving

-Weight Loss

-Withdrawl-related depression

-Rapid tooth decay

-Muscle breakdown (which leads to kidney failure)^[5]

 

As you can see, none of these things are desirable in any way. So my question is why would you want to even chance getting addicted to something like this? To prove my point, I have added a couple of pictures below to show the physical effects it can have on your body.

 

 

^{[6]            [7]}

 

 

 

 

                                                                    ^[8] 

Don't let this be you in a few years. It just isn't that worth it.

 

 

What treatment options exist for meth users?

 

• currently the most effective is behavioral treatments:
  • which combines
    • behavioral therapy
    • family education
    • individual counseling
    • 12-step support
    • drug testing
    • and encouragment for non-drug related activities.

 

 

 

Methamphetamine prevalance of abuse

Monitoring the future survey 2007 

 

	8th Grade	10th Grade	12th Grade
Lifetime	1.8%	2.8%	3.0%
Past Year	1.1	1.6	1.7
Past Month	0.6	0.4	0.6

^[9]