Methamphetamine
Ashley Wirtz
What is Methamphetamine?
Methamphetamine (also called meth, crystal, chalk, and ice, among other terms) is an extremely addictive stimulant drug that is chemically similar to amphetamine. It takes the form of a white, odorless, bitter-tasting crystalline powder.
"DrugFacts: Methamphetamine." National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Web. 5 Dec. 2014. <http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/methamphetamine>.
Facts about Methamphetamine
1) The average high from Methamphetamine lasts between four and twelve hours.
2) The price of Methamphetamine is about $20 for ¼ a gram, $40 for ½ gram, and $80 for a gram. Addicts typically spend $150 to $200 a day to feed their addiction.
3) The use of methamphetamine dries out the user’s skin. Addicts begin to suffer from “Picking” due to “Crystal Meth Lice”or “Crank Bugs”. This causes them to scratch at their face using their fingernails or any other tools available such as tweezers. “Picking” leads toserious self-inflicted wounds, that if left untreated, can result in infection and permanent scarring.
4) Meth users also sometimes suffer from “Meth Mouth.” Side effects arerotten teeth and a collapsed jaw. Methamphetamine dries out gum tissue, leading to teeth grinding, thus causing the jaw to collapse.
5) Meth overdose symptoms include cardiovascular collapse, heart attack, stroke, coma, convulsions, a dangerous rise in body temperature, high fever, sudden increase in blood pressure, sweating and increase in eye pressure causing the addict to see spots. Dangerous hallucinations, anxiety, violent and bizarre behaviors are also associated with methamphetamine use.
Web. 5 Dec. 2014. <http://licadd.com/info/about-drug-alcohol-treatment/meth/facts-about-methamphetamine/>.
6)Crystal Meth has seen rapid growth in popularity because it is relatively easy to make and carries a lower street price than other illicit drugs such as heroin or cocaine. Many trailer homes or abandoned residences have been converted into meth labs.
7)When an individual stops taking Crystal Meth after prolonged use, they may experience several severe withdrawal symptoms, including: anxiety, irritability, restlessness, paranoia and depression. These withdrawal symptoms can last for anywhere from 48 hours to several days. During this period the individual is at high-risk of relapsing back into the drug use.
8)Those who take Crystal Meth experience a significant mental “rush” and are able to stay awake for days at a time without sleeping.
9)Crystal Meth produces a longer “high” period than cocaine and can stay in the system for up to 12 hours.
10)One of the easiest ways to identify a Crystal Meth addict is “meth mouth”, a condition in which the users’ teeth begin to rot as a result of excessive use of the drug.
"Quick Facts about Crystal Meth Addiction." Michaels House Drug Alcohol Treatment Centers. Web. 5 Dec. 2014. <http://www.michaelshouse.com/crystal-meth-addiction/quick-facts-addiction/>.
Methamphetamine
Affects of Methamphetamine
SHORT-TERM EFFECTS
- Loss of appetite
- Increased heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature
- Dilation of pupils
- Disturbed sleep patterns
- Nausea
- Bizarre, erratic, sometimes violent behavior
- Hallucinations, hyperexcitability, irritability
- Panic and psychosis
- Convulsions, seizures and death from high doses
LONG-TERM EFFECTS
- Permanent damage to blood vessels of heart and brain, high blood pressure leading to heart attacks, strokes and death
- Liver, kidney and lung damage
- Destruction of tissues in nose if sniffed
- Respiratory (breathing) problems if smoked
- Infectious diseases and abscesses if injected
- Malnutrition, weight loss
- Severe tooth decay
- Disorientation, apathy, confused exhaustion
- Strong psychological dependence
- Psychosis
- Depression
- Damage to the brain similar to Alzheimer’s disease,3 stroke and epilepsy