Methamphetamines

Methamphetamines: An Epidemic

Methamphetamine or meth is a highly addictive homemade amphetamine that can be made from commonly found chemicals, such as pseudoephedrine, anhydrous ammonia, lye, phosphorous and antifreeze. Meth is an insidious drug that is cheap to produce that can be easily manufactured in virtually any setting; a car, house or deserted area. The drug can be smoked, snorted, injected or swallowed and releases an intense high for hours. Harmful long-term health risks from meth abuse include tooth and bone loss, damage to the user's brain, liver and kidneys, heart attack and stroke. Children who are exposed to the toxic chemicals during production of methamphetamine can also develop these conditions. In addition, the prolonged use of the drug, called "tweaking", can keep users up for days or weeks at a time. Consequently, the psychological side effects of meth use include paranoia, anger, panic, hallucinations, confusion, incessant talking and convulsions. Many of these lead to violent aggressive acts and suicide.

Methamphetamine abuse is increasing to epidemic proportions, both nationally and globally. Availability of methamphetamine has significantly increased in the United States due to the recent technological improvements in mass production and in clandestine labs, leading to significant public health, legal, and environmental problems. The purpose of this paper is to describe and review the latest methamphetamine information with a focus on the patterns of use, its effects on the user and environment, and the progress being made towards effective prevention strategies.

Literature Review

What is Methamphetamines?

Methamphetamine is a central nervous system stimulant drug that strongly affects the brain. Even small amounts of methamphetamine use can cause increased wakefulness, increased physical activity, decreases appetite, increased respiration, hyperthermia and euphoria. Other effects include irritability, insomnia, confusion, tremors, convulsions, anxiety, paranoia, and aggressiveness. According to the report, The Science of Drug Abuse and Addiction, by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (2005), hyperthermia and convulsions can cause death. Illicit methamphetamine, which is almost exclusively methamphetamine hydrochloride, is sold in powder, ice, and tablet forms. Powder methamphetamine, the most common form available in the United States, is produced domestically and also smuggled into the country from Mexico.

Methamphetamine releases high levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Dopamine stimulates brain cells and enhances mood and body movement. Over time, methamphetamine appears to cause reduced levels of dopamine, which can result in severe movement disorders similar to Parkinson's disease. Animal research over the past 20 years has shown that high doses of methamphetamine damage neuron cell endings. Dopamine- and serotonin-containing neurons do not die due to methamphetamine use; nevertheless, their nerve endings are cut back and re-growth is limited. The report, The Science of Drug Abuse and Addiction, by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (2005), reported that as much as 50 percent of the dopamine-producing cells in the brain can be damaged after prolonged exposure to relatively low levels of methamphetamine.

Methamphetamine is closely related chemically to amphetamine, but it has greater effects on the central nervous system. Amphetamine, a drug used in nasal decongestants and bronchial inhalers, is known as the parent drug of Methamphetamine. There are a few accepted medical reasons for the use of methamphetamine, such as the treatment of narcolepsy, attention deficit disorder, and for short-term use for obesity. Nevertheless, its medical uses are limited.

Methods of Use

Methamphetamine is taken orally, snorted, injected, or smoked. When smoked or injected, a methamphetamine user experiences an intense sensation called a rush. A rush only lasts a few minutes immediately after use. After the initial rush, there is typically a state of high agitation and possible violent behavior. When taken orally or snorted, the drug produces euphoria within minutes of use but not necessarily a rush. A long-lasting high can continue for as long as half a day. Both a rush and the high are believed to result from the release of very high levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine into areas of the brain that regulate feelings of pleasure (NIDA, 2005). Methamphetamine is a schedule II stimulant, which means it has a high potential for abuse and is available only through a prescription that cannot be refilled. Addiction is a chronic, relapsing disease characterized by compulsive drug seeking and drug use which is accompanied by functional and molecular changes in the brain. A methamphetamine addict can display a number of psychotic features, including paranoia, auditory hallucinations, mood disturbances, and delusions (NIDA, 2005). Methamphetamine is also known as "speed" or "crystal" when it is swallowed or sniffed; as "crank" when it is injected; and as "ice" or "glass" when it is smoked.

YABA: Thai for "crazy medicine," is a methamphetamine tablet, has been appearing in the United States. YABA tablets are sometimes flavored (grape, orange, and vanilla). Tasting like candy, the tablets are obviously marketed to a young audience, particularly at raves or parties where Ecstasy (a similar looking drug) has been well established. The tablets are commonly reddish-orange or green, and fit inside the end of a drinking straw. They have a variety of logos, with "WY" the most common. Methamphetamine pills are normally ingested orally, although they can be crushed into powder and administered.

Effects and Health Risks

All forms of methamphetamine are extremely dangerous and induce long-lasting, debilitating effects. With chronic use, tolerance can develop. In an effort to intensify the desired effects, users may take higher doses of the drug or take it more frequently. Although there are no physical signs of withdrawal syndrome when methamphetamine use is stopped, there are several symptoms that occur when a chronic user stops taking the drug. These include depression, anxiety, fatigue, paranoia, aggression, and an intense craving for the drug (NIDA, 2005).

Research indicates that methamphetamine can increase libido in users; and according to the Encyclopedia Britannica (Britannica, 2006) libido means physiological and emotional energy associated with the sex drive. However, long-term methamphetamine use may be associated with decreased sexual functioning at least in men.