The Effects of Methamphetamine Addiction

970 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Effects of methamphetamine on central nervous system

Don't let incarceration or death affect the life of you, or someone that you love. Understanding the horrific effects of methamphetamine can make a difference in life or death. According to T. Lopez (2014), at age eighteen she lost her father due to the impact that methamphetamine had on his heart and kidneys. Nevertheless, a few years later she and her husband became a victim of the awful cycle of addiction. Unfortunately, due to their addiction they became involved in criminal activity and found their selves jailed leaving behind their five children. Methamphetamine is a potent stimulant that affects the central nervous system (CNS). It is commonly called speed, meth, chalk, ice, crystal, crank, and glass. Meth is a white, odorless, bitter-tasting crystal-like powder that easily dissolves in water or alcohol (Speed , 2011). It was created “from the drug amphetamine, and was originally used in nasal decongestants, bronchial inhalers, and the treatment of narcolepsy and obesity” (Treating Methamphetamine Addiction). Methamphetamine is considered to be “a Schedule II drug - a drug with little medical use and a high potential for abuse” (Treating Methamphetamine Addiction). Although it can be made in small secret laboratories with fairly inexpensive over-the-counter ingredients, “over 85% of methamphetamine is made in super labs in California and Mexico” (Meth Addiction Statistics, 2014). Methamphetamine abuse is a very serious addiction that affects a user’s mental and physical states while simultaneously destroying their lives; without managed treatment, misfortune is inevitable.
Methamphetamine addiction can have very bad effects on a person’s brain and mental well-being. Meth triggers the brain to release certain hormones such...

... middle of paper ...

...tatistics.htm
Methamphetamine. (2013, October 29). Retrieved January 23, 2014, from CESAR: http://www.cesar.umd.edu/cesar/drugs/meth.asp
National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2013, Septemeber). Methamphetamine: Abuse and Addiction. Retrieved February 6, 2014, from National Institute on Drug Abuse: http://www.drugabuse.gov/sites/default/files/methrrs_web.pdf
Speed . (2011, December 29). Retrieved February 6, 2014, from Drug Information Online: http://www.drugs.com/speed.html
Treating Methamphetamine Addiction. (n.d.). Retrieved January 2014, 23, from ATTC Network: http://www.attcnetwork.org/resPubs/meth/Summary%20info%20from%20New%20England.pdf
What Treatments Are Effective. (2013, September). Retrieved January 23, 2014, from NIH: http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/methamphetamine-abuse-addiction/what-treatments-are-effective-methamphetamine-abusers

Show More
Related

  • Methamphetamine Use On The Rise In Kentucky

    1207 Words  | 3 Pages

    This particular drug couples society with many damaging effects. Society is put in great danger with Methamphetamine users integrated amongst the other population. Children playing in parks and other recreational areas are at risk for exposure to needles left from users. Children who live in homes where there is methamphetamine use or production are at risk for exposure to the drug. Exposure to the toxic substance could cause developmental impairments and ultimately could be life threatening. Children are again put in the crossfire of Methamphetamine when they lose a parent due to a lethal dose, or a parent goes to jail. Many states have formed a Drug Endangered Children’s Program; this program has fought to change Legislation. Due to DEC many states have made extra efforts to protect children from Methamphetamine, unfortunately Kentucky is not a state involved in this program.

    Read More

  • The Meth Epidemic Analysis

    611 Words  | 2 Pages

    Two effects of meth addiction are an increase in property crimes and an increase in the number of children entering foster career. Shockingly, half of the inmates in Portland jails were meth users, and meth addicts commit 80% of the property crimes in Oregon. These statistics show how meth can not only negatively affect an individual and a family, but a whole community. The correlation between property crimes and meth can be explained by the fact that meth is an ultra-stimulant. According to the video, one puff can an individual stay high for even a whole day. As a result, the person’s dependency leads them to do things or commit crimes they would not have done otherwise

    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

  • 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

  • Crystal Meth Addiction

    1722 Words  | 4 Pages

    Ice, crank, meth, crystal, tweak, go fast otherwise known as Crystal Methamphetamine, in the United States is at epidemic levels. 1

    Read More

  • Drug Abuse and The Theories Behind Addiction

    955 Words  | 2 Pages

    The multi-causal model of drug abuse takes into account social and individual causes of addiction, both distant and immediate, that lead to a disposition to using drugs, drug use and the social and individual consequences. Why a person becomes addicted to drugs or alcohol is different for everyone. Some are genetically predisposed, some learn it from their environment (i.e. family or friends), and still others use it to avoid a trauma they have experienced. The case history describes a client that had both social and individual causes for her alcohol use and subsequent dependence.

    Read More

  • The War on Drugs

    1807 Words  | 4 Pages

    ...y on Drug Abuse: Summary Report 1998 (Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration, 1999), p. 13; Bureau of Justice Statistics, Sourcebook of Criminal Justice Statistics 1998

    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

  • The Use of Drugs on Society

    882 Words  | 2 Pages

    Goldberg, J. (2012, October 10). Drug abuse, addiction, and the brain. In Mental Health Center. Retrieved November 13, 2013, from http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/drug-abuse-addiction?page=3

    Read More

  • Drug Use And Drug Addiction

    1486 Words  | 3 Pages

    The repeated use of drugs often causes both physical and psychological dependence, as mentioned in an article by the Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia (“Drug Dependence”). In order for an individual to truly be set free from their addiction, seeking treatment is necessary. Rehab centers are a great place with scientifically proven methods to cure those addicted to drugs. It is important to try to end drug use in our country, rather than allowing it to continue longer than it already has. While funding for rehabilitation facilities could become an issue, drug users may continue their addiction without proper treatment, and therefore those arrested for drug use should be sent to a rehabilitation center instead of prison.

    Read More

  • The Effects of Drug Abuse

    1093 Words  | 3 Pages

    Almost everyone can say that they have had an experience with drugs, either it be with just witnessing it or using it. Throughout my life, I have had many bad experiences with drugs and it has taught me to stay away from them. Our society now somewhat looks up to the use of drug, with it being in the music industry or being in movies, it is in our culture and this could hurt us as a country down the road. Now, I’m not saying it is not okay to party once and awhile, but if a person is to party on a regular basis this could turn into an addiction to alcohol, illegal drugs, tobacco, and even caffeine. In all, there needs to be more facts and ads telling kids about these problems because they are our future and we have to set them up for success.

    Read More

  • Substance Abuse: A Nationwide Epidemic

    2210 Words  | 5 Pages

    The most commonly abused substances are Nicotine, Inhalants, Alcohol, Cocaine, Amphetamines, Prescription medications, Heroin, Ecstasy and Marijuana. 1a(National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2011) Initially, a person may find themselves using substances voluntarily and with confidence that they will be able to dictate their personal use. However, over the period of time that drug use is repeated, changes are taking place throughout the brain, whether it is functionally or structurally. Drugs contain chemicals that enter the communication system of the brain and disturb the way in which nerve cells would typically send, receive, and process information. The chemicals within these drugs will cause a disruption to the communication system by either imitating the brain’s natural chemical messengers or by over-stimulating the brains “reward system” by sending mass amounts of dopamine. As an individual prolongs his or her use of these substances, they may develop an addiction.

    Read More

  • The Prescription Drug Abuse Crisis

    1696 Words  | 4 Pages

    Gwinnell, Esther, and Christine Adamec. "drug addiction." Health Reference Center. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 20 Jan. 2014.

    Read More

  • Effects of Psychoactive Drugs

    1211 Words  | 3 Pages

    Watanabe-Galloway, S., Ryan, S., M.D., Hansen, K., M.P.H., Wullsiek B., B.A., Muli, V., M.P.A., & Malone, A.C. (2009). Effect of Methamphetamine abuse beyond individual users Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 4131, 241-8.Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/207970885?accountid=41057

    Read More

  • Causes and Effect of Depression among Teenagers

    1190 Words  | 3 Pages

    Office of the National Drug Control Policy. "National Survey on Drug Use and Health." May 2008. Print. 26 March 2014.

    Read More

More about The Effects of Methamphetamine Addiction

Open Document