Meth, also known as methamphetamine in long, is an incredibly addictive stimulant drug. Once consumed, it specifically targets the Central Nervous System by increasing the overproduction of dopamine.
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is responsible for numerous functions within the brain and body. More specifically, the neurotransmitter is responsible for motivation, reinforcement, pleasure and reward just to mention a few. Hence, when the drug increases dopamine production in the brain, the user experiences euphoria.
The brain tends to remember that intense feeling of euphoria causing the user to experience cravings. In a bid to get rid of the cravings, the user will find themselves consuming more of the meth. At this stage, the user is dependent on the drug.
Overtime, the brain will reduce the release of dopamine in the brain even after the consumption of meth. This will then lead the user to increase their meth intake in a bid to experience a high. This will then lead to addiction.
The more the user consumes, the more likely they are to overdosing and dying. With that said, it should be noted that one can easily develop an addiction from the get-go. Therefore, the best thing to do is avoid using the drug at all.
What Makes Meth Addictive?
If the statistics on Meth use have anything to say about it, the drug is incredibly addictive. Why? First of all, methamphetamine is known to cause the production of unnaturally high levels of dopamine. Research has found that it causes a higher euphoric state than Cocaine.
Additionally, the drug increases energy levels and can keep the person awake for long hours. Some students looking to stay awake all night and study often turn to this for the extra help. It doesn’t help that the drug is cheap and easily accessible.
Meth, which is known by a number of other names, also tends to inflate an individual’s sense of worth. In other words, one can go from feeling like a Zero to Ironman. This inflated sense of self can make the user overconfident and over- assertive. Sometimes, it can boil over into aggressive behavior.
The Short and Long-Term Effects of Meth Use
Knowing the short-term effects and/or symptoms can help you pinpointed them faster. They include:
- Insomnia or increased ability to stay awake for long periods of time.
- Rapid breathing
- High body temperatures
- A severe decrease in appetite
- Increased and/or irregular heartbeat
- An increase in blood pressure
Long Term Effects/Symptoms
The Long terms effects can be categorized under physical or psychological. They include:
Physical Effects/ Symptoms:
- Susceptible to contracting HIV/AIDS
- Increased Libido
- Meth mouth: This is often characterized by decaying teeth, damaged gums and bad breath.
- Cardiovascular Problems
- Breathing difficulties due to damaged lungs
- Rapid weight loss
- Skin issues that are characterized by acne, rashes, open sores and scabs
- Cognitive damage
- Seizures
- Death
- Mood swings and aggressive behavior
- Inflated sense of self
- Problems with motor control
Psychological Effects/ Symptoms:
- Addiction
- Insomnia
- Memory Problems
- Paranoia
- Delusional behavior/ hallucinations
- Anxiety
- Depression
The Two Forms of Meth
Meth is known by a number of other names. From blue and speed to crystal, the drug is widely popular in the streets of the United States and other Nations globally. Its other names include:
- Stove Top
- Go- Fast
- Poor Man’s Cocaine
- Quick
- Chicken Feed
- Chalk
- Cristy
- Black Beauty’s
- Pookie
- Cookies
- Cotton Candy
- Trash
When someone is using it, they often use terms such as, “getting geared up”, “hot rolling”, “tweaking” and “zooming” to mention a few.
The drug usually comes in two forms, which include:
- Meth Powder: Also known as Cinnamon, Tick Tick or Brown, Meth powder can be white, blue, pink brown and even yellow. It’s distinctively bitter but odorless. Users prefer to smoke, snort or even inject it.
Meth powder can also be compressed into pills, which makes them possible for people to swallow.
- Crystal Meth: Due to its appearance, users often refer to crystal meth as crystal, ice, shards, Quartz and Tina. In other words, this form looks like glass rocks or bluish white rocks. Just like powdered meth, this once can be inhaled, injected or smoked.
Prescription Methamphetamine: There is a legal meth tablet that is only used for medical purposes. However, it is rarely used, but when it is, it is used in small doses. Prescription Methamphetamine is used for treating ADHD, Obesity and narcolepsy.
How Is Meth Manufactured?
Meth is usually illegally “cooked” in labs or homes in remote areas. The process of making the drug is dangerous due to the chemicals involved. These chemicals are not only toxic to our health, but they can lead to fires and explosions in the lab.
In America, transactional criminal organizations (TCO’s) in Mexico are responsible for producing the drug in high volumes. The people involved in “cooking” meth are known to mix it with other ingredients, especially over the counter prescriptions. This is their way of selling as little meth in high volumes so as to make profit.
Is Meth Addiction Treatable?
Meth addiction is one of the hardest addictions to treat, but not impossible. It’s difficult to treat because of the withdrawal symptoms that the patient goes through. From intense craving to anxiety and depression, quitting is extremely hard for meth users.
If you suspect that a loved one is addicted to the drug, you can have them admitted to a rehab center. You have the option of enrolling them to a luxury program or a traditional one. The difference is that the former is more expensive since it offers more amenities.
However, both of them are equipped with top notch therapy sessions led by seasoned psychologists.
In conclusion, meth is a drug that people should be encouraged to stay away from. It is incredibly addictive with damaging long-term effects. If somebody does develop an addiction to it, it is better to seek treatment sooner than later.
