|
Methamphetamine (meth) is a man-made amphetamine in the form of
powders, pills, or chunks. Meth can be swallowed, inhaled (snorted),
smoked, or injected in its various forms. It may be identified
by color, which ranges from white to yellow to darker colors such
as red or brown. Common street names for meth include; speed, crank,
ice, glass, and crystal.
Meth use increases energy and alertness, and decreases appetite.
An intense rush is felt, almost instantaneously, when a user smokes
or injects meth. Snorting may take upwards of 5 minutes, and oral
ingesting may take upwards of 20 minutes for the user to feel the
effects.
Meth use can lead to many severe health-related problems. These
may include convulsions, dangerously high body temperatures, stroke,
cardiac arrhythmia, stomach cramps, and severe shaking. Chronic
use of meth can result in a built up tolerance for the drug, resulting
in the users having to increase the doses and the frequency of
the doses to feel the desired effect. Some chronic abusers will “run” on
meth for days and weeks at a time, all the time refraining from
eating and sleeping only stopping when they are too weak to continue.
Chronic abuse can lead to psychotic behavior, intense paranoia,
hallucinations, out-of-control rages, and violent episodes. Even
when meth use is discontinued, severe withdrawal symptoms can occur
for weeks or months afterwards.
In 2001, 4.3 % (9.6 million people) in the United States reported
trying meth at least once in their lifetime. The highest rate of
use was among 18-25 year-old age range, with 5.1 % of them reporting
trying meth at least once in their lifetime.
We have only lightly touched on describing the addictive and
detrimental aspects of methamphetamine. For additional information
on meth, please contact Health Services as 308-4850. The following
are valuable websites that will give you more information on meth.
Websites and Links
National Institute on Drug Abuse
Office of National Drug Control Policy
Street Drugs
US Department of Health and Human Services (SAMHSA)
Drugs Fact file
|
