Crystal meth is recently considered as the most threatening and dangerous drug in America, and probably in other areas of the world. It is a stimulant that chiefly hits the central nervous system. This drug is extremely addictive. Meth has its profits such as providing the person the sufficient energy to do anything for the whole day. Moreover, people who wished to lose weight also use meth as a resort to doing so. Meth had been discovered to reduce one’s weight. Such benefits as these, may have allowed meth to go through into people’s lives and later on slowly destroy every aspect of their lives.
The addict finds it very difficult to quit using meth because of the occurrence of withdrawal symptoms. Both physical and emotional symptoms are greatly evident with constant use of crystal meth. The effects of methamphetamine are mainly connected
to its action as a potent central nervous system stimulant affecting the body’s mechanisms for regulating heart rate, body temperature, blood pressure, appetite, attention, mood, alertness and alarm responses.
Meth can be taken in a number of ways: swallowed, snorted, smoked, injected, anally and through the urethra. Ways which increase the brain’s uptake of the substance have been increasing; snorting is faster than swallowing, smoking is faster than snorting, etc. The drug alters the mood in different ways, depending on the route of administration. Immediately after smoking meth intravenously, the user experiences an intense rush that lasts only a few minutes and is described as extremely pleasurable. Swallowing meth resulting in euphoria, described as a high but not a rush. While the effects of smoking and IV injection are very quick, smoking meth produces effects within 3 to 5 minutes and oral injection can take up to 20 minutes to produce a high.
The pleasurable effects of crystal meth disappear even before the blood concentration of the drug falls significantly; in other words, it just stops working. To maintain the high, increasing frequency of use is a requirement. Users indulge in binge behavior for days at a time; foregoing food, hygiene, sleep and other necessities. To add, brain damage, meningitis, neurotoxicity, sensations of flesh crawling with bugs, compulsive picking and infecting sores, severe headache, muscle breakdown and kidney failure are the side effects of meth overdose.There are currently no medications available to treat methamphetamine overdose.
In preventing meth usage, communities have now joined movements to stop this kind of addiction. Family-focused prevention efforts have been discovered to have greater force than strategies that focus on parents only.
Moreover, during treatment, detoxification would entail the removal of toxins caused by the drug from the body. Because of this, withdrawal is also treated through providing certain drug that would copy the effects of meth but not as destructive as meth. Withdrawal from methamphetamine is typically characterized by intense drug cravings, depression, insomnia, and increased appetite.
When carried out on long term, there are several cognitive behavioral intrusions designed to help in modifying the patient’s thinking and behaviors, and to increase coping skills related to various life stressors. The support from family and loved ones is still the most important ingredient in treating meth addicts. With the knowledge that he or she is loved and cared for would encourage him or her to fight for her life despite the discouraging effects of meth. With the realization that the individual feels important in the family and also in the society, he can cope up form the darkness.
The determination and the will to change will still be one of the most important factor to change the individual regardless of the kind of treatment. Cognitive therapy is hugely helpful in making the person realize that life does not revolve around the drug. There is more to life than meth. The person would then be trained coping skills and new perspectives in dealing with temptations and starting a new life as the person recovers form the battle with meth.
One should always be prepared to face crystal meth addiction. Be always ready to call for help.
