Methamphetamines: Poor Man’s Cocaine

1482 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Impact of drug abuse on family

Addiction to Methamphetamine is becoming an epidemic in California. Addiction can be described as a condition where the body forms a physical or psychological habit/dependence towards anything and is irrepressible. Addicts develop tolerance by becoming immune to the amount of drug that they are using, causing them to increase the dose to receive the same effect. Methamphetamine is a Type II stimulant, which means it is highly addictive. It causes physical type changes similar to the fight-or-flight response — it increases heart rate, respiration, blood pressure and body temperature. It is long lasting and contaminates the dopamine nerve terminals in the central nervous system. It is a white sour-tasting powder used orally, snorted or injected, and smoked. Methamphetamine has no sympathy on any person, and it does not discriminate. Allowing it in your life will ruin your relationships, your health, and your self-respect.

There are many factors that play a part in using drugs and becoming addicted. A parent having a problem with addiction makes you more vulnerable to following into their footsteps. Genetically you can inherit addiction by 50 percent. There are a lot of people who have medical problems and by nature we are inpatient and want for our pain to be relieved and relieved quickly, therefore, causing some people to turn to illegal drugs like meth. Meth is also used to avoid feelings, memories, and situations like child abuse. Personality can also be a cause of addiction, if a person is curious, has aggression, lack of confidence, or lack of self-esteem it may seem easier for them to turn to a drug that can make them feel better. Most of the time that is not enough and they tend to use more just so they can feel “normal”. ...

... middle of paper ...

....

"Meth Videos - Escape Meth - The "Tweaked" Film Series - How to Get Help." Meth DVD - Meth Info - Escape Meth - The "Tweaked" Film Series. Web. 24 Aug. 2011. .

"Methamphetamine." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 24 Aug. 2011. .

Sommerfeld, Julia. "Beating an Addiction to Meth." Newsgroup. Msnbc.com. Msnbc.com. Web. 27 Aug. 2011. .

Super Size Me. Dir. Morgan Spurlock. Perf. Morgan Spurlock. Cameo, 2005. Film.

United States. White House. Federal Interagency Task Force for Drug Endangered Children (2010). Drug Endangered Children. Web. 25 Aug. 2011. .

Show More
Related

  • The Con-Artist Named Addiction By Sally Satel

    962 Words  | 2 Pages

    Satel says, “Addiction does indeed discriminate, it chooses those who are bad at delaying gratification” (2). Those who simply cannot resist the instant relief or euphoria are more likely to become addicts. Addiction also preys on those who do not possess the proper skills for gauging consequences. Those suffering from this trait are unable to look ahead at the true horror that awaits them at the end of the long dark tunnel. Another trait that increases the risk of addiction is impulsivity. Impulsive people have issues controlling themselves, and they often make quick decisions that were not through. Impulsivity characteristics often go hand in hand with the previously stated traits, making it one of the hardest to overcome. While personality traits may be genetic or just how we are predisposed, drug use often alters ones entire being, including these traits. So, who is to say if the traits listed above were not birthed from the very womb of drug use itself.

    Read More

  • The Meth Epidemic Analysis

    611 Words  | 2 Pages

    Frontline’s “The Meth Epidemic,” is a shocking documentary that exposes the dangerous effects of meth and explores the cultural patterns related to meth addiction. Understanding the severity of the effects of meth and how it is made are two important lessons to take away from this video because understanding those two things will help us to better understand how to combat this epidemic.

    Read More

  • Methamphetamine and Brain Function

    1370 Words  | 3 Pages

    According to the Centers for Disease Control, methamphetamine, or meth as it is often referred to, is considered the fastest-growing illicit drug in the United States. The consequences of usage are detrimental to families and employers, not to mention the increasing law enforcement burden of having to find and disband labs making it illegally. (CDC, 2005) Aside from the far-reaching implications of methamphetamine use on these entities, this paper explores the effect methamphetamine has on the structure and function of the human brain.

    Read More

  • Prozac Causes More Deaths than Any Other Drug

    1498 Words  | 3 Pages

    Cnn.com. [online], Available: http://www.cnn.com/2000/US/02/23/kiddrugs2_23.a.tm/ Schwarzer, Kathy. A. Interview December 15, 2000 The International Coalition for Drug Awareness. ICFDA.

    Read More

  • The Facts About Methamphetamine

    1159 Words  | 3 Pages

    Methamphetamine is an extremely dangerous drug that is included in the same drug class as other drugs like Cocaine. It’s most common street names include; ice, glass, crank, and meth. Meth starts off as a stimulant, but turns into a drug that will destroy your body. Meth addiction is one of the hardest addictions to treat, which is why many people result in dying from an overdose of meth. (What is Crystal Meth Addiction)

    Read More

  • Is Addiction A Disease Or A Choice Essay

    1474 Words  | 3 Pages

    Addiction, like other diseases, has the tendency to be genetic. “Addictive drugs induce adaptive changes in gene expression in the brain’s reward regions” (Bevilacqua and Goldman 359–361). The disease is also influenced by environmental conditions and behavior. Addiction genes can be passed down through family members of many generations. If one has addiction in their genes tries a drug and someone who does not have addiction in their genes and tries the same drug, it is more likely that the person with the gene will become addicted over the one without. Environmental conditions can also be a factor because someone’s lifestyle could contribute to addiction. Factors such as stress and peer pressure can influence drug or alcohol abuse. Behavior can also contribute to addiction because if a person’s attitude is obsessive and they have an addictive personality, they could become addicted to a substance. In “Addiction is Not a Disease” Daniel Akst explains actual diseases are Alzheimer’s and Schizophrenia, not addiction. For example, Akst mentions that “addicts tend to quit when the going gets hard” (Akst.) He also clarifies that addicts have the choice to have that extra drink or those extra pills every

    Read More

  • The Effects of Substance Abuse in Young Adults

    810 Words  | 2 Pages

    There are many factors that may cause a teen to drink or use drugs. Factors may be social, mental, or hereditary. Many reason teens choose to use drugs and alcohol are social factors. Teens may want to fit in with their friends or a certain group. They may also feel mature and grow up while using substances. If teens have mental issues, they may be more likely to use drugs or alcohol. Teens who feel like they are not emotionally connected or loved by their parents are more susceptible to drug use. Teens who have poor self-esteem or emotional or mental health problems, such as depression are also at increased risk for drug use (Teen Alcohol and Drug Abuse). Teens who have alcohol and drug addictions in their family history ...

    Read More

  • The drug control policy of the United States

    1414 Words  | 3 Pages

    Shannon, Elaine. “The War on Drugs: A Losing Battle.” Time.com. Time Magazine, 3 Dec. 2010. Web. 18 Dec. 2011. .

    Read More

  • Drug Addiction as a Disease

    899 Words  | 2 Pages

    It is important to consider how addiction to drugs begins. “Genetics accounts for approximately half of an individual’s vulnerability to addiction, including effects of the environment on gene function and expression” (Volkow). This basically means that once a person is exposed to drugs, they are more likely to become addicted to drugs after that exposure if their genes make them more vulnerable to addiction. Consequently, not every person who is exposed to drugs will develop an addiction because they do not have the genetic make-up that makes them an addictive person, meaning that: “…predisposing genes interact with [exposure to drugs] and other environmental factors to create vulnerability” (Volkow). People cannot change their genetic make-up to prevent themselves from becoming addicted to drugs. They can only limit their exposure to a drug filled...

    Read More

  • The War on Drugs

    1439 Words  | 3 Pages

    Smith, Melinda, Segal, Jeanne, and Robinson, Lawrence. "Overcoming Drug Addiction." : Drug or Substance Abuse Treatment, Recovery, Help. Help Guide, Apr. 2013. Web. 23 May 2013. http://www.helpguide.org/mental/drug_abuse_addiction_rehab_treatment.htm

    Read More

  • Dysfunctional Families and Drugs

    847 Words  | 2 Pages

    Baldauf, Scott. "When Parents are a Part of the Drug Problem." Christian Science Monitor. 92. 193 (2000): 3. Academic Search Premier. Odum Lib., Valdosta, GA. 10 Mar. 2003 <http://web11.epnet.com/delivery.asp?b=1&_ug=dbs+0+1n=en-us+sid+40E55F4D-8241-4...>.

    Read More

  • Breaking Bad: The Transformation of Walter White

    2641 Words  | 6 Pages

    "How Meth Destroys the Body." PBS.org. The Public Broadcasting Station, 17 May 2011. Web. 10 Dec. 2013.

    Read More

  • Effects of Drugs on Consciousness

    1057 Words  | 3 Pages

    Without contrast, the primary reason for drug abuse in individuals comes from the conscious state of addiction. According to Webster’s, addiction is described as “the fact or condition of being addicted to a particular substance, thing, or activity (Hacker, 2011).” Sure, human nature’s desire to conform to peer pressure might cause one to first try a certain drug, but the euphoric mental states found in drugs mentally trap many individuals into becoming dependent upon these sensations. With that being said, these sensations vary depending on the type of drug used.

    Read More

  • Addiction in Adolescents

    992 Words  | 2 Pages

    Humans are environmentally and genetically predisposed to developing a motivated addictive behavior. Addiction is a brain disease and a behavior. All behaviors are choices. Choices that adolescences make at a young age directly affect the outcomes of their futures. Many factors contribute to an adolescence becoming an addict or exhibiting a drug seeking behavior. Nearly all drugs of abuse increase dopamine release. Dopamine is an important neurotransmitter in drug abuse and addiction. Dopamine plays a role in reward motivated behaviors, motor control and important hormones. It’s known as the “feel good hormone” which is why people abuse drugs that increase the release of dopamine. Since life is unpredictable, our brains have evolved the ability to remodel themselves in response to our experiences. The more we practice an activity the more neurons developed in order to fine-tune that activity causing addictive behaviors to be detrimental.

    Read More

  • Argumentative Essay On Drug Abuse

    1089 Words  | 3 Pages

    Drug abuse has been a hot topic for our society due to how stimulants interfere with health, prosperity, and the lives of others in all nations. All drugs have the potential to be misapplied, whether obtained by prescription, over the counter, or illegally. Drug abuse is a despicable disease that affects many helpless people. Majority of those who are beset with this disease go untreated due to health insurance companies who neglect and discriminate this issue. As an outcome of missed opportunities of treatments, abusers become homeless, very ill, or even worst, death.

    Read More

More about Methamphetamines: Poor Man’s Cocaine

Open Document