Methamphetamines and teens

Methamphetamine is a powerful drug that affects the central nervous system. The drug is commonly referred to as "Meth", "Speed", "Ice", "Crystal", or "Crank". It is white, odorless, bitter tasting crystalline powder that easily dissolves in water or alcohol. The drug causes increased activity, decreased appetite, and a general sense of well-being. The effects of meth can last anywhere from 6-8 hours. Some teens can become violent when experiencing the high from this drug.

A recent survey stated that 1 in 33 U.S. teens have tried meth. Many people think meth is becoming more popular to teens that marijuana. The drug is more powerful and more dangerous than marijuana; however, and acts as a mood enhancer, providing teens with a false sense of control or ecstasy.

According to the NIDA, prolonged meth use can have neurotoxic effects on the brain and cause severe, irreversible brain damage. Even small amounts of meth can cause the following effects:

• Irritability
• Insomnia
• Anxiety
• Paranoia
• Aggressiveness
• Respiratory Problems
• Stroke
• Brain Damage
• Death

Here are some suggestions for keeping your teen away from using meth:

• Be involved in your teens life. The more you are involved, the less likely they are to use meth or other drugs.
• Follow through with rules and consequences. The more you follow through, the more teens will know the consequences they will face from using drugs
• Discuss with teens the dangers of meth, and the consequences of using even a little bit
• Stay up to date with what is happening in their lives. You will better be able to catch warning signs.
• Model the values and behaviors you want your teen to follow. It may not seem very effective, but your behavior has a lasting effect on your teen.

Some warning signs your teen may be using meth:

• Signs of agitation
• Excited speech
• Loss of appetite
• Increased physical activity levels
• Dilated pupils
• High blood pressure
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Occasional episodes of violent behavior
• Intense paranoia
• Visual and auditory hallucinations
• Insomnia
• Compulsively cleaning

Frequently Asked Questions On Meth

Q: What is methamphetamine:

A: Methamphetamine is a powerful central nervous system stimulant. The drug works directly on the brain and spinal cord by interfering with normal neurotransmission. Neurotransmitters are chemical substances naturally produced within nerve cells used to communicate with each other and send messages to influence and regulate our thinking and all other systems throughout the body. The main neurotransmitter affected by methamphetamine is dopamine. Dopamine is involved with our natural reward system. For example, feeling good about a job well done, getting pleasure from our family or social interactions, feeling content and that our lives are meaningful and count for something, all rely on dopamine transmission.

A synthetic drug, methamphetamine has a high potential for abuse and dependence. It is illegally produced and sold in pill form, capsules, powder and chunks. Methamphetamine was developed in the last century from its parent drug amphetamine and was originally used in nasal decongestants, bronchial inhalers, and in the treatment of narcolepsy and obesity. In the 1970s methamphetamine became a Schedule II drug - a drug with little medical use and a high potential for abuse.

Q: Why is methamphetamine addictive:

A: All addictive drugs have two things in common: they produce an initial pleasurable effect, followed by a rebound unpleasant effect. Methamphetamine, through its stimulant effects, produces a positive feeling, but later leaves a person feeling depressed. This is because it suppresses the normal production of dopamine, creating a chemical imbalance. The user physically demands more of the drug to return to normal. This pleasure/tension cycle leads to loss of control over the drug and addiction.

Q: How does methamphetamine take over one's life:

A: Methamphetamine short-circuits a person's survival system by artificially stimulating the reward center, or pleasure areas in the brain. This leads to increased confidence in meth and less confidence in the normal rewards of life. This happens on a physical level at first, then it affects the user psychologically. The result is decreased interest in other aspects of life while reliance and interest in meth increases. In one study, laboratory animals pressed levers to release methamphetamine into their blood stream rather than eat, mate, or satisfy other natural drives. The animals died of starvation while giving themselves methamphetamine even though food was available.

Q: Is there methamphetamine withdrawal:

A: Yes. The severity and length of symptoms vary with the amount of damage done to the normal reward system through methamphetamine use. The most common symptoms are: drug craving, extreme irritability, loss of energy, depression, fearfulness, excessive drowsiness or difficulty in sleeping, shaking, nausea, palpitations, sweating, hyperventilation, and increased appetite.

Q: Is methamphetamine addiction difficult to treat:

A: Several treatment providers describe methamphetamine abusers as "the hardest to treat" of all drug users. They are often overly excitable and "extremely resistant to any form of intervention once the acute effects of meth use have gone away." Meth addicts get over the acute effects of withdrawal fairly quickly. However, the "wall" period lasts 6-8 months for casual users and 2-3 years for regular users. (Some people never recover and remain unsatisfied with life due to permanent brain damage.) This is a period of prolonged abstinence during which the brain recovers from the changes resulting from meth use. During this period, recovering addicts feel depressed, fuzzyheaded, and think life isn't as pleasurable without the drug. Because prolonged use causes changes in the brain, willpower alone will not cure meth addicts.

Q: Is relapse common:

A: Yes. Because there are psychiatric, social, and biological components to meth dependence, there is a high likelihood of relapse. Key relapse issues are similar to that of cocaine use and include other substance abuse and being around drug-using friends.

Q: What prompts meth users to enter treatment:

A: Methamphetamine causes a variety of mental, physical, and social problems which may prompt entry into treatment. Though not as expensive as heroin and cocaine, it's cost might also produce financial problems for users and prompt them to seek help. However, the most commonly reported reason why methamphetamine users enter treatment is trouble with the law. These legal problems include aggressive or bizarre behaviors which prompt others to call police. Other reasons for entry include mental or emotional problems and problems at work or at school.

Q: How does the cost of treating meth users compare to incarceration:

A: Treatment is a highly cost effective alternative, it is about 1/10th the cost to treat a person rather than putting him or her in jail.

Q: How is the production of meth more dangerous than other drugs:

A: Meth trafficking and production are different than other drugs because they are dangerous from start to finish. The reckless practices of the untrained people who manufacture it in clandestine labs result in explosions and fires that injure or kill not only the people and families involved, but also law enforcement or fireman who respond. Any number of solvents, precursors and hazardous agents are found in unmarked containers at these sites. These potent chemicals can enter the central nervous system and cause neural damage, effect the liver and kidneys, and burn or irritate the skin, eyes and nose. Environmental damage is another consequence of these reckless actions, and violence is often a part of the process as well.

Q: What are the most serious environmental consequences of meth labs:

A: Each pound of meth produced leaves behind five or six pounds of toxic waste. Meth cooks often pour leftover chemicals and byproduct sludge down drains in nearby plumbing, storm drains, or directly onto the ground. Chlorinated solvents and other toxic byproducts used to make meth pose long term hazards because they can persist in soil and groundwater for years. Clean up costs are exorbitant because solvent contaminated soil usually must be incinerated.

Q: What do I look for if I suspect a meth lab in my neighborhood:

A: Unusual, strong odors similar to the that of fingernail polish remover or cat urine; renters who pay cash; large amounts of products such as cold medicines, antifreeze, drain cleaner, lantern fuel, coffee filters, batteries, duct tape, clear glass beakers and containers; and residences with windows blacked out and lots of nighttime traffic.