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Crystal Meth was first synthesized in Japan in the 19th century and there is evidence that Hitler was a crystal meth addict using crystal meth IV daily.
Crystal Meth Effects
How to find an effective drug rehab for crystal methamphetamine
Crystal meth effects the body and mind as a stimulant which dramatically affects the central nervous system. The drug is easily manufactured anywhere with basic, over-the-counter ingredients. However, many states are following Oklahoma's lead in developing a computer monitoring system that will identify persons that are purchasing large quanities of ephedrine, the necessary raw product in the manufacture of crystal meth. Crystal meth, a form of methamphetamine, is also known as speed, chalk, ice, crank or glass. It is a white, odorless, crystalline powder. Crystal meth’s structure is similar to amphetamine with more of an impact on the central nervous system. The drug releases high levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine into the part of the brain regulating feelings of pleasure. It usually causes increased activity, decreased appetite, and a heightened sense of well-being. The unique description of how meth effects the body should lead anyone to looking for a drug treatment center that has a track record of treating and succeeding in rehabilitating chronic users of crystal meth.
Meth - Methamphetamine (Crystal Meth) is an addictive stimulant drug that strongly activates certain systems in the brain. Methamphetamine is closely related chemically to amphetamine, but the central nervous system effects of methamphetamine are greater. Both drugs have some medical uses, primarily in the treatment of obesity, but their therapeutic use is limited. Methamphetamine (Crystal Meth) is made in illegal laboratories and has a high potential for abuse and dependence. Street methamphetamine is referred to by many names, such as "speed", "meth" and "chalk." Methamphetamine hydrochloride, clear chunky crystals resembling ice, which can be inhaled by smoking, is referred to as "ice", "crystal", and "glass". Health Hazards
Methamphetamine (Crystal Meth) releases high levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which stimulates brain cells, enhancing mood and body movement. It also appears to have a neurotoxic effect, damaging brain cells that contain dopamine and serotonin, another neurotransmitter. Over time, methamphetamine appears to cause reduced levels of dopamine, which can result in symptoms like those of Parkinson's disease, a severe movement disorder.
Methamphetamine (Crystal Meth) is taken orally or intranasally (snorting the powder), by intravenous injection, and by smoking. Immediately after smoking or intravenous injection, the methamphetamine (Crystal Meth) user experiences an intense sensation, called a "rush" or "flash", that lasts only a few minutes and is described as extremely pleasurable. Oral or intranasal use produces euphoria - a high, but not a rush. Users may become addicted quickly, and use it with increasing frequency and in increasing doses.
The central nervous system (CNS) actions that result from taking even small amounts of methamphetamine (Crystal Meth) include increased wakefulness, increased physical activity, decreased appetite, increased respiration, hyperthermia, and euphoria. Other CNS effects include irritability, insomnia, confusion, tremors, convulsions, anxiety, paranoia, and aggressiveness. Hyperthermia and convulsions can result in death.
Methamphetamine (Crystal Meth) causes increased heart rate and blood pressure and can cause irreversible damage to blood vessels in the brain, producing strokes. Other effects of methamphetamine (Crystal Meth) include respiratory problems, irregular heartbeat, and extreme anorexia. Its use can result in cardiovascular collapse and death.
Extent of Use
Monitoring the Future Study (MTF)*
MTF assesses the extent of drug use among adolescents (8th-, 10th-, and 12th-graders) and young adults across the country. Recent data from the survey:
* In 1997, 4.4 percent of high school seniors had used crystal methamphetamine at least once in their lifetimes - an increase from 2.7 percent in 1990.
* Data show that 2.3 percent of seniors reported past year use of crystal methamphetamine in 1997 - an increase from 1.3 percent in 1990.
Community Epidemiology Work Group (CEWG)**
Methamphetamine (Crystal Meth) is the dominant illicit drug problem in San Diego. San Francisco and Honolulu also have substantial methamphetamine- using populations. Patterns of increasing use have been seen in Denver, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Phoenix, Seattle, and Tucson. New trafficking patterns have increased availability of the drug in Missouri, Nebraska, and Iowa. National Household Survey on Drug Abuse (NHSDA)t
According to the 1996 NHSDA, 4.9 million people (aged 12 and older) had tried methamphetamine at least once in their lifetimes (2.3 percent of population). This is not a statistically significant increase from 4.7 million people (2.2 percent) who reported using methamphetamine at least once in their lifetime in the 1995 NHSDA.
Crystal meth can be smoked, snorted, orally ingested or injected directly into the blood stream. Crystal meth has a very toxic effect on the human body. It is very dangerous and can cause convulsions, permanent severe body damage or death. Because of its stimulating effects, it is a very addictive drug. Chronic use often causes depression, anxiety, fatigue, paranoia and aggressive behavior. When you examine the effects of crystal meth on the body, especially facial changes, you can have an appreciation for the devastation that crystal meth does to the liver and brain, just to name two of the most important organs that are effected by addictive use of crystal meth. Crystal meth, in a prescription form, is a Schedule II stimulant, which means it has a high potential for abuse and is available only through a prescription that cannot be refilled. Common Immediate
Effects of Crystal Meth Use:
• Euphori
•Incrased Energy and alertness
•Diarrhea and nausea
• Loss of appetite, insomnia, remors, juw-clenching, agitation, irritability, talkativeness, panic, compulsive fascination with repetitive tasks, violence, confusion
• Increased libido
• Increased Blood Pressure, body temperature, heart rate, bronchodialation
Effects Associated Wtih Chronic Use: • Tolerance, the need for larger amounts to get the same effects • Serious Drug Craving • Meth Mouth.. where teeth rapidly decay and fall out • Drug-related psychosis
Crystal meth alters moods in different ways, depending on how it is taken. Immediately after smoking the drug or injecting it intravenously, the user experiences an intense rush that lasts only a few minutes and is described as extremely pleasurable. Snorting or oral ingestion produces euphoria - a high but not an intense rush. Snorting produces effects within 3 to 5 minutes, and oral ingestion produces effects within 15 to 20 minutes. As with similar stimulants, crystal meth most often is used in a "binge and crash" pattern. Because tolerance for crystal meth occurs within minutes users try to maintain the high by binging on the drug. In the 1980's, "ice," a smokable form of crystal meth, came into use. Ice is a large, usually clear crystal of high purity that is smoked in a glass pipe like crack cocaine. Pure meth's smoke is odorless, leaves a residue that can be re-smoked, and produces effects that may continue for 12 hours or more. However, most crystal meth is not pure and contains other poisonous substances that can also cause damage to the lungs and can bring about psychotic reactions.