Beating Crystal Meth Addiction

The scientific name for Meth is Methamphetamine. The first synthesis of this substance was carried out in 1893 in Japan by Nagayoshi Nagai. Its crystallized form was synthesized in 1919 by Akira Ogata. Addiction to crystal meth is the abuse of this form of the drug.

The first usage of the drug is found during the 1st World War. Chocolates dosed with meth were given to the soldiers to keep them alert and happy. It is also said that Adolf Hitler used to frequently take it through intravenous injections to obtain the same results.

The 2nd World War also saw the extensive usage of the drug for the same purpose. However, it was only after the war that it's misuse and abuse started amongst the civilians in the country.

By the 60s, it came to be clandestinely produced in significant proportions. Slowly, but steadily, it found inroads into the young communities of the country with disastrous consequences.

Meth is a powerful central nervous system stimulant. Its prolonged usage increases the heart rate and the blood pressure, constricts the arterial walls and increases the blood sugar levels. It also greatly decreases the appetite.

The immediate symptoms of using meth are euphoria, increased alertness, nausea, diarrhea, insomnia, excessive sweating, loss of appetite, panic attacks, irritability, talkativeness, agitation, compulsive fascination for repetitive tasks, frequent chills, jaw-clenching and increases libido.

A chronic use usually leads to an acute craving for the drug, weight loss, acute withdrawal syndrome characterized by depression and rapid tooth decay (also known as Meth Mouth). Therefore, if used for a prolonged period of time it leads to brain damage, formication i.e. sensation of bugs crawling on flesh leading to compulsive picking and infected sores on the face, paranoia, delusions, hallucinations, and ultimately kidney damage.

Although there is no threat to life expectancy, it certainly gets diminished considerably. The recovery chances are dim as the withdrawal is intense, while relapse is common. A user of meth, once he/she has left it, feels dull and stupid without it.

This is the reason why the treatment has to be complemented with an adequate and expert rehab program. The possibility of a cure increases only if the rehabilitation includes any one family member with the self help groups to help the patient fight the urge.

To detoxify the body off the drug, doctors have now started using other forms of amphetamine like dextroamphetamine to effectively break the addiction cycle. This has to be however followed by appropriate rehab.

Crystal Meth Addiction, therefore, is a social menace that has to be combated with immediate effect. There are about 1.5 million meth crystal addicts presently in the United States. We must join hands to drive the epidemic out of our system completely.

Privacy Policy | Contact Us |