Methamphetamine Addiction
Methamphetamine or Meth for short is one of the most abused, if not the most abused drug, not only in the United States but also in other parts of the world. It is a highly addictive stimulant known to trigger the release of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. Propping up the high addiction and abuse rates is the fact that the drug can be made using readily available substances like paint thinner, battery acid and cold medications bought over the counter. So powerful is the drug that it stimulates the production of twelve times more pleasurable neurotransmitters than sex, enjoying good food or other activities that one may derive pleasure from. One thing to note is that the side-effects of methamphetamine addiction are quite easy to observe with a little vigilance.
Methamphetamine may be abused in various ways. When used for medical purposes, it is supposed to be taken orally. However, recreational users often smoke it in glass pipes as with cocaine. There are instances when it is snorted, or taken through intravenous injections. Some individuals may also insert it into the urethra or anus. Snorting and intravenous injections are known to produce almost immediate results of euphoria and increase the energy levels of the user.
Methamphetamine is used medically to aid in weight loss programs. This is due to its ability to suppress appetite. It is also used in the treatment of attention deficit disorders. As a stimulant, the drug improves energy, concentration and alertness while suppressing fatigue and appetite. Methamphetamine is also used to treat people suffering from depression.
However, due to the highly addictive properties of the drug, many people find themselves hooked on this medication. This is especially after continued use of the drug. In most cases, people take it in an effort to contain the crashing effect. When the drug has been introduced, it leads to an excessive production of neurotransmitters which are not absorbed back into the system after the drug wears out. Due to depletion of the pleasurable neurotransmitters, the individual feels depressed, agitated and weak due to overuse of energy reserves.
Common side-effects of methamphetamine addiction include
- Tooth decay- the result of poor dental hygiene, decreased production of saliva and incessant grinding of teeth. In addition, the individual has strong body odor due to poor grooming coupled with copious sweating.
- Decreased ability to enjoy pleasurable activities- disinterest in hobbies, sex and other pleasurable activities. Addiction depletes dopamine supply in the brain thereby reducing the pleasure of these activities. Ability to reach climax would also be completely lost
- Impaired mental state- exhibited by disjointed rants, lengthy ramblings, confusion, arguments, impaired judgment and depression especially when medical attention is not quickly sought.
- Obsession- the user engages in obsessive behavior like compulsive cleaning, hand washing and over-grooming.
- Decreased appetite leads to rapid loss of weight.
- Cardiac problems like increased heartbeat rate, increased blood pressure as well as irregular heartbeat.
- Loss of hair- this is as a result of the deficiency of nutrients in the addict’s body coupled with the damaging chemicals ingested.
