Facts About
Methamphetamine
Type |
What
is it called? |
What
does it look like? |
How
is it used? |
Amphetamines |
Speed,
Uppers, Ups, Black beauties, Pep pills, Copilots, Bumblebees, Hearts, Benzedrine,
Dexedrine, Footballs, and Biphetamine |
Capsules,
pills, tablets |
Taken
orally, injected, inhaled |
Methamphetamines
|
Crank,
Crystal meth, Crystal methadrine, and Speed |
White
powder, pills, rock that resembles a block of paraffin |
Taken
orally, injected, inhaled |
Additional
Stimulants |
Ritalin,
Cylert, Preludin, Didrex, Pre-State, Voranil, Sandrex, and Plegine |
Pills
or capsules |
Taken
orally, injected |
Methamphetamine is a
stimulant drug chemically related to amphetamine but with stronger effects on the central
nervous system. Street names for the drug include speed, meth, and crank.
Methamphetamine is used in pill form, or in powdered form by snorting or injecting.
Crystallized methamphetamine known as "ice," "crystal," or
"glass," is a smokable and more powerful form of the drug.
Methamphetamine is an increasingly popular drug at raves (all night dancing parties), and
as part of a number of drugs used by college-aged students. Marijuana and alcohol are
commonly listed as additional drugs of abuse among methamphetamine treatment admissions.
Most of the methamphetamine-related deaths (92%) reported in 1994 involved methamphetamine
in combination with at least one other drug, most often alcohol (30%), heroin (23%), or
cocaine (21%). Researchers continue to study the long-term effects of methamphetamine use.
Neurological
hazards. Methamphetamine 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.
Addiction.
Methamphetamine is taken orally or intranasally (snorting the powder), by intravenous
injection, and by smoking. Immediately after smoking or intravenous injection, the
methamphetamine 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.
Short-term effects.
The central nervous system (CNS) actions that result from taking even small amounts of
methamphetamine 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.
Long-term effects.
Methamphetamine causes increased heart rate and blood pressure and can cause irreversible
damage to blood vessels in the brain, producing strokes. Other effects of methamphetamine
include respiratory problems, irregular heartbeat, and extreme anorexia. Its use can
result in cardiovascular collapse and death
Pathfinders
Checklist
The affects of methamphetamine use.
1.) Increased heart rate and blood pressure
2.) Increased wakefulness; insomnia
3.) Increased physical activity
4.) Decreased appetite
5.) Respiratory problems
6.) Extreme anorexia
7.) Hypothermia, convulsions, and cardiovascular problems, which can lead to
8.) Death
9.) Euphoria
10.) Irritability, confusion, tremors
11.) Anxiety, paranoia, or violent behavior
12.) Can cause irreversible damage to blood vessels in the brain, producing strokes
13.) Methamphetamine users who inject the drug and share needles are at risk for acquiring
HIV/AIDS.
G.B.U.
Steve
Recover from
chemical dependency as well as its toxic impact on family members. Raise your
children to choose to be alcohol and other drugs
free. Learn how
to in Dr. Frischs, Psy.D. Recovery book seriesFrom Insanity to Serenity.
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