Methamphetamine History

1334 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Essays on methamphetamine addiction

Caroline Anna Joy Baden
SWK-1105-G1C
Carin Burr
30 March 2014
History of Crystal Methamphetamines
While there are a large variety of illegal drugs out on the streets currently, one of the most well-known is methamphetamine. Most people today know of the drug, but do not understand how it came into existence. Knowing the history is important, because it can help one to better grasp how it came to be and why so many people today use the drug. Methamphetamine is a stimulant and it is extremely addictive and very powerful. Unfortunately, there are many people in various countries throughout the world that are addicted to this highly harmful drug. It is awfully difficult to recover from a methamphetamine addiction, but it is not impossible if one has the right resources, help, and support group. Many individuals do not seek the help that they need, however, and the harmful addiction often times leads to an overdose, often resulting in death. In order to make a difference in our communities, or to simply be able to understand what an addict is going through, it is a very wise idea to know the effects and background of methamphetamine. Understanding the drug’s past and how it effects the individuals will help one to better understand what the user is going through.
Methamphetamine affects the central nervous system, and it causes the user to be more active, more talkative, euphoric (high), and also causes the user to lose their appetite. Methamphetamine came into existence in the early 20th century from the drug called amphetamine. Its earliest uses were as a nasal decongestant and as a bronchial inhaler. Methamphetamine is different from amphetamine in the fact th...

... middle of paper ...

...he people who are doing the cooking must take extreme precautions, such as wearing special suits in order to protect themselves.
“An estimated 4.7 million Americans (2.1% of the U.S. population) have tried MA at some time in their lives” (Anglin, Burke, Perrochet, Stamper, and Dawud-Noursi 137-141). 4.7 million is a huge number of people who have admitted to trying (or using) methamphetamine, and that is only in one country! That number is undoubtedly rising every single day. The general public need to be educated about this harmful drug, so that they will hopefully have a better idea of how to deal with it if they happen to come face-to-face with methamphetamine. The drug is a growing problem in our country, and many people will possibly either see someone who is suffering with an amphetamine addiction, see the drug being trafficked, or come in contact with it.

Show More
Related

  • MDMA: The History and Effects of the Drug Known as Ecstasy

    1980 Words  | 4 Pages

    Happiness can mean many different things to many different people. A hard worker may define it as completing a difficult task. A hopeless romantic may define it as finding true love. A religious person may define it as achieving a specific level of spirituality. Webster’s definition of happiness is “good fortune; a state of well-being and contentment; a pleasurable or satisfying experience.” Some synonyms included for happiness are bliss, felicity, joy, and ecstasy. It is therefore obvious how the euphoria-inducing amphetamine relates to its name. People that are uneducated in the area of drugs may associate ecstasy only with the issue of substance abuse. However, to fully understand ecstasy and all its related topics, it is vital to identify the chemical structure and history of MDMA, the corresponding effects, and then the recreational abuse.

    Read More

  • HIstory of Cocaine

    1390 Words  | 3 Pages

    Specific Purpose: To inform my audience on the history of cocaine, current prevalence rates and health effects among other issues.

    Read More

  • Crystal Meth Addiction

    1722 Words  | 4 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • The Pros And Cons Of Methamphetamine

    1009 Words  | 3 Pages

    Drug abuse refers to the sale, possession, or the manufacture of an illicit drug. Bartol and Bartol classify dominant psychoactive drugs into four categories, namely: stimulants, hallucinogens, sedative-hypnotics and opiate narcotics (2011). A psychoactive drug is a chemical substance that influences an individual’s perception, decision-making, behavior, and mood (Bartol & Bartol, 2011). Methamphetamine, popularly known on the streets as meth, glass, crystal (pure form) or speed, is a drug that traces its origin from the West Coast in the 1970s and has swept across the United States. The relationship between drug and substance abuse and criminality is not a simple one.

    Read More

  • The Facts About Methamphetamine

    1159 Words  | 3 Pages

    “Meth, not even once” is a popular phrase that is associated with this drug. This drug has many known horrible effects associated with it, plus many effects more I am sure are going to be discovered over time. I am intending to cover the history, effects, the different categories of meth abuse, and the withdrawal effects of Methamphetamine in this paper, and what to do if you suspect someone you know is using meth.

    Read More

  • Methamphetamines Labs or Death Labs

    1120 Words  | 3 Pages

    Along with the surge of taking prescription drugs, so has the use of illegal methamphetamines. The use and production of meth has spread across the United States. This epidemic is turning rural areas into dangerous meth labs ready to blow up if not constructed correctly. Meth is unique because it is mostly produced domestically unlike most other drugs. This production lets people see first hand of the dangers of not only drug addiction but the impact that drug production has on communities. The spread of production and addictiveness of crystal methamphetamine make it a dangerous problem in America today.

    Read More

  • Methamphetamines: Poor Man’s Cocaine

    1482 Words  | 3 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Methamphetamine Case Studies

    549 Words  | 2 Pages

    The method for this study included participants who were seeking treatment for methamphetamine use disorders. Participants were randomized in this study and must have met all of the following inclusion criteria: (1) 18–65 years of age, (2) met DSM-IV criteria for methamphetamine dependence, (3) were willing and able to comply with study procedures, and (4) were willing and able to provide written informed consent. The exclusion criteria consisted of (1) a medical condition that might interfere with the study, (2) a recent (past 30 days) history of suicide attempts and/or current serious suicidal intention or plan as assessed by the BDI, (3) a history of violent criminal behavior or be on parole, and (4) any other circumstances that, in the opinion of the PI, would interfere with the study. There were a total of 120 individuals that were eligible for acceptance into this study. After collecting informed consent, completing baseline measures, and receiving clearance for participation, participants were randomly assigned to one of four study conditions: (1) standard, (2)

    Read More

  • Methamphetamines Essay

    891 Words  | 2 Pages

    Methamphetamine’s (Meth) abuse has rapidly become a highly additive stimulant and has led to a serious problem in the US. Data collected in 2012 by the Nation Survey on Drugs and Health found that over 12 million people have tried meth at least once, that’s roughly 4.7 percent of the population.

    Read More

  • The History of Drugs

    1588 Words  | 4 Pages

    Drug use and abuse is as old as mankind itself. Human beings have always had a desire to eat or drink substances that make them feel relaxed, stimulated, or euphoric. Humans have used drugs of one sort or another for thousands of years. Wine was used at least from the time of the early Egyptians; narcotics from 4000 B.C.; and medicinal use of marijuana has been dated to 2737 BC in China.

    Read More

  • Reflection on a Restaurant's Health Inspection

    1116 Words  | 3 Pages

    Handling, processing, and preparation such as (cooking, cooling, reheating, holding/service) should be controlled to ensure that the food is not contaminated in any way.

    Read More

  • Effects of Different Drug Use: Short Term and Long Term

    1346 Words  | 3 Pages

    Amphetamines are typically used to provide the same effect that pure adrenaline does. The drug is specified for people with attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity as well as narcolepsy, although if you decide to abuse the drug and use it for recreational purposes you may start to feel paranoia and nervousness. Using amphetamines can also put a strain on the circulatory system by causing the user's blood pressure to increase suddenly. (Amphetamine) Long term psychological effects of the drug can cause something called amphetamine psychosis which is much like paranoid schizophrenia. This could lead towards hallucinations, paranoid delusions, and obsessions. (Amphetamine)

    Read More

  • Consequences: The Cause and Effect of Drug Use

    941 Words  | 2 Pages

    The use of drugs is a controversial topic in society today. In general, addicts show a direct link between taking drugs and suffering from their effects. People abuse drugs for a wide variety of reasons. In most cases, the use of drugs will serve a type of purpose or will give some kind of reward. These reasons for use will differ with different kinds of drugs. Various reasons for using the substance can be pain relief, depression, anxiety and weariness, acceptance into a peer group, religion, and much more. Although reasons for using may vary for each individual, it is known by all that consequences of the abuse do exist. It is only further down the line when the effects of using can be seen.

    Read More

  • An Essay About Drug Addiction

    1114 Words  | 3 Pages

    Drug addiction is a very big problem in today’s society. Many people have had their lives ruined due to drug addiction. The people that use the drugs don’t even realize that they have an addiction. They continue to use the drug not even realizing that their whole world is crashing down around them. Drug addicts normally lose their family and friends due to drug addiction.

    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 Methamphetamine History

Open Document