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Methamphetamine drug treatment

   Methamphetamine, a derivative of amphetamine, is a powerful stimulant that affects the central nervous system. Neurotransmitters are chemical substances naturally produced within nerve cells used to communicate with each other and send messages to influence and regulate our thinking and all other systems throughout the body. The main neurotransmitter affected by methamphetamine is dopamine, usually involved with the natural reward system.

   Methamphetamine can be smoked, taken intranasally (snorted), injected intravenously or ingested orally. The practice of "eating" meth by putting it on paper or food and chewing it also has been reported. It is accessible in many different forms and may be identified by color, which ranges from white to yellow to darker colors such as red and brown. Methamphetamine comes in a powder form that resembles granulated crystals and in a rock form known as "ice," which is the smokeable version of methamphetamine. Street methamphetamine is referred to by many names, such as "speed", "meth" and "chalk."

   An intense rush is felt, almost instantaneously, when a user smokes or injects methamphetamine, resulting from the release of high levels of dopamine into the section of the brain that controls the feeling of pleasure. Snorting methamphetamine affects the user in approximately 5 minutes, whereas oral ingestion takes about 20 minutes for the user to feel the effects. The effects of methamphetamine can last up to 12 hours.

   Chronic use of methamphetamine can result in a tolerance for the drug. Consequently, users may try to intensify the desired effects by taking higher doses of the drug, taking it more frequently or changing their method of ingestion. Some abusers, while refraining from eating and sleeping, will binge, also known as "run," on methamphetamine. During these binges, users will inject as much as a gram of methamphetamine every 2 to 3 hours over several days until they run out of the drug or are too dazed to continue use.

   The severity and length of methamphetamine withdrawal symptoms vary with the amount of damage done to the normal reward system through drug use. The most common symptoms are: drug craving, extreme irritability, loss of energy, depression, fearfulness, excessive drowsiness or difficulty in sleeping, shaking, nausea, palpitations, sweating, hyperventilation and increased appetite.

   The processing required to make methamphetamine from precursor substances is easier and more accessible than ever. The drug can be made in a makeshift "lab" that can fit into a suit case. Over-the-counter cold and asthma medications containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine, red phosphorous, hydrochloric acid, drain cleaner, battery acid, lye, lantern fuel, and antifreeze are among the ingredients most commonly used to make methamphetamine.

Methamphetamine short-term effects

Central Nervous System Side Effects  Even small amounts of methamphetamine can produce euphoria, increased alertness, paranoia, decreased appetite and increased physical activity. Other central nervous system effects include athetosis (writhing jerky or flailing movements), irritability, extreme nervousness, insomnia, confusion, tremors, anxiety, aggression, incessant talking, hyperthermia, and convulsions. Hyperthermia (extreme rise in body temperature) and convulsions sometimes can result in death.

Cardiovascular Side Effects  Use can produce chest pain and hypertension which can result in cardiovascular collapse and death. In addition, methamphetamine causes accelerated heartbeat, elevated blood pressure and irreversible damage to blood vessels in the brain.

Physical Side Effects  Pupil dilation, respiratory disorders, dizziness, tooth grinding, impaired speech, dry or itchy skin, loss of appetite, acne, sores, numbness and sweating.

Psychological Side Effects  Chronic methamphetamine abuse can lead to psychotic behavior including intense paranoia, visual and auditory hallucinations, and out-of-control rages that can result in violent episodes. Chronic users at times develop sores on their bodies from scratching at "crank bugs," which describes the common delusion that bugs are crawling under the skin. Long-term use of methamphetamine may result in anxiety and insomnia. Methamphetamine-induced paranoia can result in homicidal or suicidal thoughts.

Methamphetamine long-term effects

Fatal kidney and lung disorders, brain damage, liver damage, blood clots, chronic depression, hallucinations, violent and aggressive behavior, malnutrition, disturbed personality development, deficient immune system and methamphetamine psychosis, a mental disorder that may be paranoid psychosis or may mimic schizophrenia.

Other methamphetamine effects

Automobile accidents; explosions and fires triggered by the illegal manufacture of methamphetamine; environmental contamination; increased criminal activity, including domestic violence; emergency room and other medical costs; spread of infectious disease, including HIV, AIDS and hepatitis.

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