Posts Tagged Methamphetamines abuse

Methamphetamine is one of the most commonly used recreational drugs since 1970s.

Typically a person starts using methamphetamine as a stimulant for its powerful enhancing effects on energy level, mood, alertness, concentration, sex and appetite suppression resulting in weight loss. Gradually tolerance develops and the individual finds great difficulty in functioning and experiencing pleasure without it. Recent researches have also revealed that children and adolescents who use alcohol and are sexually active are more prone to use the drug.

The physical effects of the drug include increased wakefulness, surges of energy, restlessness, increased, irregular heartbeat and blood pressure, enlarged pupils, sweating, blurred vision, headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, chest pain and fever. When used in larger doses the person can become aggressive, violent and also paranoid.

Long term use leads to extreme weight loss, severe dental problems (meth mouth), mood disturbances, confusion, insomnia, violent behavior. Chronic users experience visual and auditory hallucinations, delusions like insects crawling under the skin.

The intoxicating effects of the drug can alter judgment and inhibition making the person vulnerable to engage in unsafe behavior practices like unsafe sex, thereby increasing the chances of HIV transmission. Apart from HIV, the injectors also pose the risk of contracting other blood borne diseases, abscess, etc.

The use of the drug causes irreversible damages in the brain. According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), the use of methamphetamine leads to reduced levels in dopamine transporters resulting in slowed motor skills and weakened memory. Damage to dopamine transporters may be recovered after stopping the use but not the memory or motor skills.

So do not run after a ‘flash’ of pleasure in exchange of your brain – the primary organ required to function normally and which cannot be transplanted.

A great resource: http://www.nida.nih.gov/PDF/RRMetham.pdf

In case of help call Meth Tip Hotline toll free number –  1-866-638-4847 . Anonymity and confidentiality is maintained.