Crystal Meth Addiction

1722 Words4 Pages

Ice, crank, meth, crystal, tweak, go fast otherwise known as Crystal Methamphetamine, in the United States is at epidemic levels. 1 Meth is not only highly addictive it is easily "cooked" in homes across the country. Unlike some drugs, which are derived from natural sources, meth includes an array of dangerous chemicals. These chemicals can include battery acid, rat poison and motor oil. Crystal meth is a sub-category of amphetamine. Amphetamines are synthetic amines- which are similar to the body's neurotransmitter: norepinehrine and the hormone epinephrine (adrenaline). Amphetamines stimulate the reticular activating system. This activation is transmitted to all parts if the brain. This process causes the user to become aroused, alert and hypersensitive to stimuli- such as sun light. Like other amphetamines crystal also causes increased brain activity, decreased appetite and general sense of well being- that can last for approximately 6-8 hours. Furthermore, Crystal is a highly addictive stimulant that affects the brain, respiratory, circulatory and central nervous system. Crystal also affects the nerve synapses of the pleasure center by increase dopamine production and blocking its reuptake. Dopamine is responsible for "reward." This affect causes the user to experience a sometimes severe decrease in excitability and happiness about things that used to bring pleasure to the user. Receptors become insensitive and extreme depression occurs. Because of this extreme depression the user is almost forced to use again to alleviate depression. The tolerance level of the user thus increases. Tolerance refers to the fact that through continued use of a drug, users often feel the need to increase the "dose"... ... middle of paper ... ...ouse Publishing- 1999 Altered States: A History of Drug Abuse in America, Princeton, NJ: Films for the Humanities, c1993, 1 videocassette (57 min.) Drugs and Behavior, Rebecca Schilit and Edith Lisansky Gomberg, Page 62, SAGE Publications, Inc.- 1991 Narcotics Anonymous website, www.na.org Drugs: Addiction, National Institute of Justice, CF Productions, Inc. Rockville, MD: National Institute of Justice, 1990? 1 videocassette (29 min.) Altered States: A History of Drug Abuse in America, Princeton, NJ: Films for the Humanities, c1993, 1 videocassette (57 min.) Narcotics Anonymous website, www.na.org Drugs: Addiction, National Institute of Justice, CF Productions, Inc. Rockville, MD: National Institute of Justice, 1990? 1 videocassette (29 min.)

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