What is Methamphetamine?
Methamphetamine or "Meth" is an addictive stimulant of the central nervous system. Related to amphetamine, methamphetamine is manufactured in illegal laboratories using a combination of common over-the-counter ingredients and a variety of corrosive, poisonous, and carcinogenic chemicals such as acetone, battery acid, bleach, lead and red phosphorous.
What are the Street Names for Meth?
Street or slang names include black beauties, black mollies, chalk, crank, crink, crystal, glass, ice, meth, poor man's cocaine, speed, tina and yaba.
How is Meth Taken?
Meth comes in the form of pills, tablets, capsules, crystals or powder, which can be swallowed, smoked, snorted, or injected depending on the form.
How Does Meth Affect the User?
Meth is a stimulant. Even in small doses it can increase wakefulness and physical activity and decrease appetite. With continued use, users may experience anxiety, confusion and insomnia as well as psychotic episodes such as paranoia, auditory hallucinations, mood disturbances and delusions (such as the sensation of insects creeping on the skin). Over time, tolerance to the drug will develop , making the user increase his/her dosage to achieve the same initial effect.
Methamphetamine has a faster rate of addiction than many other drugs including marijuana or alcohol. Long term use can lead to psychotic behavior, hallucinations, addiction or even death.
Meth is often used in a "binge and crash" pattern. Users try to maintain the "high" by binging -- barely eating or sleeping for days at a time. Eventually users begin to "crash." Initially, they become depressed and crave more methamphetamine. But these feelings soon give way to lethargy, followed by a long deep sleep. Once the user awakens, the depression returns and may last for days. This is the time when the potential for suicide is high.
It is not unusual for methamphetamine psychosis to persist for days after the last dose is taken. There are many reports of users remaining paranoid, delusional, apathetic, and socially withdrawn for weeks. Occasionally, methamphetamine-related psychosis lasts for years, but in these cases experts believe the drug may have triggered symptoms of a pre-existing mental disorder.
What are the Dangers of Meth Abuse?
In addition to the risk of injury or death as a result of accidents, violence, or overdose, meth abuse can cause or worsen many physical and mental disorders. Negative effects include:
Sleeplessness
Loss of appetite and weight loss
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
Elevated body temperature
Skin ulceration and infection
Increased blood pressure, headaches, chest pain, or irregular heartbeat stroke or heart attack
Seizures
Irritability, anxiety, paranoia
Loss of short-term memory
Lack of self-control
Permanent damage to brain cells caused by injury to small blood vessels serving the brain
What are the After-Effects of Meth Abuse?
Upon stopping, users may experience depression and anxiety, fatigue, paranoia, aggression, and intense cravings for meth.
In the first year of abstinence, the brain begins to recover and there are improvements. Former users will experience fewer and less severe panic attacks and episodes of paranoia and delusion. The user starts thinking more clearly and can successfully control anger and rage. Sleep improves and eating habits become regular. Tremors and muscle spasms get a little better each day.
Any remaining damage after one year is likely to be permanent.
Short-term memory problems may be long-lasting or permanent.
There may be serious dental damage.
Sometimes, people in recovery from meth may substitute other "addictive behaviors," such as eating or smoking.
Methamphetamine and Special Populations Pregnant Mothers: Meth is a powerful stimulant, and use during pregnancy is very dangerous both to the mother and the developing fetus. The mother's appetite is suppressed, blood vessels constrict, the heart beats faster and blood pressure soars. All of this transfers to the unborn fetus interrupting its natural development and growth. Meth use during pregnancy can result in premature labor, detachment of the placenta, low birth-weight babies and possible neurological damage. Babies that are born methamphetamine-addicted are extremely lethargic. They will also suffer from withdrawal symptoms, such as tremors, sleeplessness, muscle spasms, and difficulties nursing. Learning difficulties may develop.
The Gay Community: Meth use is increasing among men who have sex with men. This population is vulnerable to contracting and spreading sexually transmitted diseases, especially HIV/AIDS and hepatitis. Drug use increases the risk of sexual assault and rape.
Children: Children living in homes with meth-using parents or in close proximity to meth labs often suffer abuse and neglect. Contact with toxic fumes or residue on floors and other surfaces has negative health effects, including addiction and developmental delays among children. Chemical burns are common among children living in the presence of meth.
Women: Meth use among women is growing. Meth appeals to women's desires to improve their sexual performance and control weight. Many women report using meth for the first time with a friend or partner. Historically, men outnumber women in drug treatment, but that gap is closing.
Teens: The brain of a teenager is wired to seek out and encourage new experiences. This helps teens learn important new skills, like driving a car. Meth, because it initially causes pleasure, is reinforced by the brain. This means experimentation is highly likely to cause addiction.
Teens in general are impulsive, which means they act without thinking and without regard for the consequences of their actions. Meth makes that tendency much more severe. This means that meth users can easily become aggressive or violent. Meth affects the part of the brain that regulates negative behaviors, including fear, anger, and suspicion.
Meth use can affect a teen's short-term memory for a long time. This can cause problems at school and in the home. A lot of family arguments begin because teens forget their requests or promises.
What is the Environmental Impact of Meth?
Meth affects not only the users but their families, their neighborhood, and their community. Meth is manufactured in both major cities and remote rural areas. Because small labs are easy to set up, meth can be cooked on tables in kitchens, garages or just about anywhere. During the manufacturing of meth, toxic chemicals released pollute the entire house (walls, carpets, etc.), and hazardous waste pollutes surrounding water sources and sewers. There is also increased risk of fire due to the highly flammable fumes emitted during production.
Treatment Options
If you or someone you know is struggling with methamphetamine abuse, email Phoenix House at drughelp@phoenixhouse.org to find out more about our treatment programs, ask for a referral or get a professional assessment. If you find yourself in an emergency situation, call 911 immediately.
