The Addictive Powers of Methamphetamines

Meth, speed, crystal, crank, ice. All these words describe the same drug. Methamphetamine. A highly addictive drug that can ruin the lives of those that become addicted. What makes this drug so appealing to so many people? Why is it so addictive? What effects does it have on the human body? These are all questions to which this article will provide answers.

Methamphetamines can be very appealing to some people because it is known to help with rapid weight loss, increased energy, increased wakefulness, even increased sex drive. People who use methamphetamines often describe it as a rush of good feelings, an extreme high. It is commonly used among people who are depressed. They seek a way to make themselves feel good, and this drug seems to promise them that good feeling they crave.

Unfortunately, many to begin to use meth do not realize how highly addictive it really is. Many people find themselves unable to atop using it after they have used it only once. Their body physically and mentally craves it and the user frequently gives in to the craving, over and over until they no longer know how to cope without the drug.

Methamphetamines, no matter how it is ingested into the body, affects both the brain and the central nervous system. It releases dopamine, a chemical that our brain naturally produces to give us a pleasurable feeling. It releases the chemical in abundance causing an immediate elated feeling, known as a high. Once the body stops releasing dopamine, the person "comes down" and because they want the good feeling to continue, they take more of the drug. The problem is that our body can only produce so much dopamine at one time. Over time, the mental effects of meth wear off faster, and as a result, the person uses more and more.

It is also addictive because it increases a person's energy level and helps them stay awake. For a person who works a lot, is tired a lot, or feels they need to stay awake, this drug may seem like a good choice. What they fail to realize is that they are doing harm to themselves by depriving their body of restful sleep. Sleep deprivation can lead to many health problems including confusion, inability to concentrate, irritability, and even death.

Those seeking to lose weight quick often become addicted to methamphetamine because it suppresses the appetite and enables them to lose weight. As a matter of fact, methamphetamine is commonly used in prescription form to help obese people lose weight. The difference is, the street drug is made differently and the doses not regulated by doctors. These people do not feel hungry, and see the pounds shedding off of them. To them, it is very appealing. Unfortunately, they often find themselves unable to stop taking the drug when they want to.

The dangers of using methamphetamines can be fatal. Physically, a begin to become thin, too thin. They may begin to get sores on their body. They will have a rapid pulse, and rapid breathing. Their blood pressure will increase. They may become irritable, aggressive, and even paranoid. They will experience prolonged insomnia. They can experience hypothermia, and convulsions. Mentally, they will become confused. These things can happen with only a small amount of meth.

Long term effects can include violent behavior, psychotic behavior, thoughts of killing themselves or someone else, delusions, paranoia, extreme mood swings, and auditory hallucinations. Long term usage of methamphetamine can cause damage to the brain similar to the damage caused by Alzheimer's, stroke, and epilepsy. This brain damage can linger long after the person stops using the drug. Even if a person only uses the drug for a short period of time, they may have extreme anorexia. The physical appearance of a methamphetamine user changes rapidly. They look much older than they are. It may appear that the person has aged several years in a short period of time.

The effects of a single use of methamphetamines can last up to six months. Because of this, a person trying to recover from using needs a longer recovery program. It is estimated that it takes a minimum of thirty days for a person's body to completely detox after stopping meth use.

If you suspect that someone you love is using this drug, seek help for them as soon as you can. The longer it takes to get them help, the worse the effects can be. Remember, it only takes on time for a methamphetamines to take a life or change one forever.