What is Meth?
Crystal meth, short for crystal methamphetamine, is just one form of the drug methamphetamine.
Methamphetamine is an illegal drug in the same class as cocaine and other powerful street drugs. It has many nicknames—meth, crank, chalk or speed being the most common.
It is used by individuals of all ages but is most commonly used as a “club drug,” taken while partying in night clubs or at rave parties. Its most common street names are ice or glass.
It is a white crystalline drug that people take by snorting (inhaling through the nose), smoking, or injecting it with a needle. Some even take it orally. Regardless of how one takes it, everyone develops a strong desire to continue using it because the drug creates a false sense of happiness and well-being—a rush (strong feeling) of confidence, hyperactiveness, and energy. The drug quickly hits the brain, releasing neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin to increase energy, alertness, and sociability. One also experiences decreased appetite. These drug effects generally last between six to eight hours but can last up to twenty-four hours.
History and Effects of Meth
The first experience might involve some pleasure. However, it is a dangerous and potent chemical and is associated with serious health conditions, including memory loss, aggression, psychotic behavior, and potential heart and brain damage.
Methamphetamine is a man-made stimulant that's been around for a long time. During World War II, soldiers were given meth to keep them awake. People have also taken the drug to lose weight and ease depression. Crystal meth is made with the ingredient pseudoephedrine, which is found in many cold medicines. It helps ease congestion.
Meth can make a user's body temperature rise so high he could pass out or even die. A user may feel anxious and confused, be unable to sleep, have mood swings, and become violent. Looks can change dramatically. A user may age quickly. His skin may dull, and he can develop hard-to-heal sores and pimples. He may have a dry mouth and stained, broken, or rotting teeth. He may become paranoid. He may hear and see things that aren’t there. He may think about hurting himself or others. He may also feel as though insects are crawling on or under his skin. A meth user is at higher risk for HIV/AIDS. The drug can affect judgment and lessen inhibitions. Someone under the influence of the drug may be more likely to engage in risky behaviors, such as unsafe sex.
What happens when one abuses Meth?
Meth binges are called “tweaking.” Too often, to avoid the depression and physical weakness associated with a meth comedown, someone abusing the drug will take more of the drug, which increases the intensity of effects and side effects. This, in turn, increases the intensity of depression symptoms when the drug begins to wear off, leading the individual to take more meth.
Tweaking occurs when a person struggling with meth abuse does not sleep for 3-15 days, suffers from intense paranoia, and likely develops temporary psychosis. The original euphoria from meth does not occur after a few doses, but the person still struggles with high energy, overheating, dehydration, loss of appetite, physical pain and twinges, anxiety, irritability, and aggression.
At a minimum, the person develops repetitive behaviors, like taking objects apart and putting them back together or obsessively cleaning. Without enough sleep, the person may experience hallucinations or delusions, leading to psychotic behavior.
Relapse and dangerous symptoms
A significant number of individuals report feelings of depression, which were also noted to decline in a linear fashion over the course of the withdrawal time period. These depressive symptoms can be significant and associated with thoughts of suicide. In addition, research has indicated that a good number of individuals who relapse do so because of feelings of depression, apathy, and hopelessness.
The most dangerous symptoms associated with methamphetamine withdrawal are severe depression and the potential to develop psychosis. There is also some research to indicate that at least following short-term recovery, individuals with methamphetamine use disorders exhibit some cognitive deficits in the areas of mental processing speed, attention, memory, and planning that are not fully resolved within six months of abstinence.
