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CRYSTAL METH ADDICTION AND ABUSE
Although meth is simple to manufacture, it is a very toxic substance that is capable of contaminating the atmosphere where it is being manufactured (referred to as a "meth lab"). Consequently, when the majority of meth labs are discovered, they are condemned. Because crystal meth is highly and almost immediately addictive, it generally doesn’t take its users long to develop crystal meth addiction and abuse. Alcohol abuse can take years to turn into dependency and cause harm; however, meth is a psychostimulant that raises the degrees of at least 3 critical neurotransmitters, namely, dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. The high from meth is nearly instantaneous, speedily giving sensations of mood elevation, euphoria, elimination of tiredness, increased speech, loss of sexual inhibition, "tweaking", and a sense of heightened personal power. The drug's impacts can continue for many hours to many days, depending on how much meth is consumed. An individual can administer meth by smoking, snorting, injecting, or anally inserting (also referred to as a "booty bump") the drug. There are many symptoms of meth addiction and abuse including drastic weight loss; disfigurement of the face; loss of job, family, friends, or money; schizophrenic-like behavior, and terrible dentition (broken teeth, severe gum infections, and oral wasting). In previous years, meth use and addiction were once believed to be frequent in the gay male population. The basis for this belief was that meth drastically elevates sexual desire, behaving as a sexual arouser, which allowed gay men to have multiple sex partners when using meth. But like any other disease that is addictive, meth abuse is presently widespread and is encountered in all sections of society. Meth users frequently do not use condoms, preferring "bareback" sex (sexual activity without protection). Notably, one of the most dominant sexual side effects of meth use in males is their inability to attain and keep an erection. Several males beat this problem by utilizing medications that assist in correcting erectile dysfunction. This has resulted in increases in sexually transmitted diseases, such as HIV infection. Males getting medication for erectile dysfunction should receive counseling, which emphasize that these medications do not stop the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases or HIV infection. Meth addiction and abuse may also result in the user going without sleep for hours or days, having a declined or no appetite, and becoming substantially dehydrated. More severe health consequences of meth use include hypertension, convulsions, tachycardia, hyperthermia, cardiorespiratory diseases, and death. If the meth user displays violent and uncontrollable behavior, psychiatric referral may be needed. Meth intoxication treatment is generally observational, concentrating on symptomatic relief, but aggressive interventions may be necessary if the patient is suffering from an overdose. Long-term treatment generally needs interventions, including harm-reduction counseling, peer support, rehab and detox, and 12-step support. |
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The risk for crystal meth addiction and abuse is extremely high. Crystal meth is a synthetic stimulant—one that is quite simple and relatively inexpensive to manufacture. The ingredients to make crystal meth are easily obtainable, taking the form of over-the-counter products, including ephedrine and drain cleaner. Crystal meth is frequently referred to on the street as “ice”, “crank”, "meth," and "tina". 