Drug and alcohol addiction and abuse. Recognition. Prevention. Treatment
20/20 Parenting. Recognizing and mitigating early vulnerabilities and risk factors.
Crystal Methamphetamine
What Are the Realities?
Environmental damage and costs are skyrocketing as 3 pounds of highly toxic and flammable by-products for every one pound of crystal meth is being dumped into our waste systems.
Crime rates and street prostitution are on the increase as addicts are desperate to buy their next hit to relieve the pain of withdrawal symptoms
Who uses crystal meth?
Once thought to be only a few street and gay people, those numbers have increased drastically. It has now also become the most popular drug at raves, concerts, house parties, on college campuses, in the workplace (both blue and white-collar workers), and in homes, taken by family members.
What does it do to the user?
The Lure: At first the user feels euphoric and very alert. The world is beautiful, full of love and passion. Libido is greatly enhanced and the user feels more confident and attractive than ever. They are able to play, study, and work longer and harder for a short time, though the drug fools them into believing they are highly functioning, eventually unable to hold a job. And women enjoy weight loss until it becomes severe or develops into an eating disorder.
More Downside: From the beginning some experimenters can experience anger, anxiety, or agitation. If they become over stimulated they experience panic, paranoia, hallucinations, rage, seizures and stroke. As their brain chemistry alters they are able to stay awake for many hours even several days in a row, this in itself leading to psychosis. They lose their ability to sleep, eat, and hydrate for extended periods as meth speeds up their body functions with record speed.
