Crystal Meth Addiction
Crystal Meth Abuse
This article details information about
crystal meth abuse, what crystal meth is, the
effects of crystal meth and meth addiction, as well as withdrawal
symptoms and rehab centers specializing in meth addiction
treatment.
What is Crystal Meth
Crystal meth is a very pure,
potent, and highly addictive form of methamphetamine. Its
powerful effects on the brain can lead to severe physiological and
psychological dependence. Street names for crystal meth
include meth, ice drug, crystal and glass. Users of crystal
meth generally smoke it, but the drug can also be snorted or
injected intravenously. Not only is crystal meth a dangerous
and addictive drug, but the meth labs where it is produced can pose
serious dangers and health risks to those living nearby.
Effects of The 'Ice Drug'
The effects of crystal meth on the brain result in enhanced mood
and energy. Meth addiction can also affect a user's appetite
causing weight loss. In most cases, crystal meth, or the ice drug
as it is commonly known, can cause feeling of intense euphoria, due
to the dopamine and serotonin that's released in the brain.
The euphoric sensations can last for up to twelve hours. Ice
drug users become reliant on this feeling and meth addiction can
easily and quickly take hold.
Many users of the drug become hypersexual, or fixated by a
particular activity or thought. Meth addiction can, therefore,
often lead to dangerous and potentially life threatening
situations.
The negative effects of meth addiction include palpitations and
rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, and damage to the brain's
small blood vessels, which in some cases can result in a
stroke.
Meth addiction can also result in paranoia, anxiety, violent
outbursts, confusion and insomnia. Overdoses of crystal meth can
cause hyperthermia (drastic increase in temperature) which may
result in convulsions and even death. The psychotic problems
caused by crystal meth can last for many months, or even years
after an addict has ceased to take the drug.
Meth Addiction
Crystal meth is highly addictive. Many users claim that they
are hooked after only their first hit. However, over time the
effectiveness of the meth decreases dramatically, which results in
the need for higher doses, creating a tolerance.
Crystal meth is particularly addictive when it is administered
intravenously. It can also be smoked, usually in a pipe.
Injecting or smoking the drug administers a powerful hit to the
brain almost immediately. Insufflation, or snorting, is another
popular method of taking crystal meth.
As well as many physical and psychological issues, meth
addiction can cause users to become vulnerable to the typical
blood borne viruses associated with the needles used to inject
drugs, including hepatitis and H.I.V.
Meth Rehab
Facilities that treat meth addiction agree that it is one of the
most difficult addictions to overcome. This is largely because
crystal meth stays in the body for a much longer period of time
than most other drugs. For a casual user, recovery
can last up to eight months. Individuals who are heavy users can be
in recovery for more than a year.
As with many addictions, relapse is a severe issue in dealing
with meth addiction. Relapse is particularly common with meth users
because withdrawal can be incredibly intense.
When a user is 'coming down' from a meth they can experience
excessive eating, and therefore weight gain, extreme tiredness,
anxiety, intense depression and, of course, drug craving. In order
to better manage these symptoms some ice drug users take sedatives
to enable them to sleep and to ease feelings of tension and
anxiety.
Although the withdrawal from the meth is particularly difficult,
it is not life threatening. There are many facilities available for
rehabilitation from meth addiction, and there are 12-step
programs, such as Crystal Meth Anonymous to aid in
recovery.
All Treatment does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.
