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 giving the individual the sufficient energy to do anything for the whole day. Moreover, people who wanted to drop weight also use meth as a resort to doing so. Meth had been discovered to decrease one’s weight. These benefits allow methto make a way into 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 obvious with continual use of crystal meth. The effects of methamphetamine are mainly related
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 “flash” that lasts only a few minutes and is described as exceptionally 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 enjoyable effects of crystal meth stops working even before the blood concentration of the drug falls significantly. Thus, more meth and increasing frequency of use are necessary to maintain the high. 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.On a very sad note, no medications are available to treat methamphetamine overdose.
Communities have now been on the move to preventing meth use among the people. Family-focused prevention efforts have been found to have greater impact than strategies that focus on parents only.
Moreover, during treatment, detoxification would entail the removal of toxins caused by the drug from the body. With 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 normally characterized by intense drug cravings, depression, insomnia, and increased appetite.
Several cognitive behavioral interventions designed to help modify the patient’s thinking and behaviors, and to increase coping skills related to various life stressors are considered promising when conducted long term. The support from family and loved ones is still the most important ingredient in treating meth addicts. Knowing that he or she is loved and cared for would support 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 very 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 learn coping skills and new perspectives in dealing with temptations and starting a new life as the person recovers form the battle with meth.
When faced with crystal meth addiction, one should not panicked because there are help available. One should just be willing and determined to look for the right treatment.
