Methamphetamine, also known as crystal meth, speed, crank, or ice, is an extremely potent and addictive stimulant that can be injected, smoked, snorted, or swallowed. Meth affects the central nervous system and neurochemical mechanisms that regulate mood, blood pressure, appetite, heart rate, and body temperature. Meth has become the number one drug of choice and abused substance primarily in low-income, rural areas, mainly because it is cheap to produce using common household items.
Meth has very serious physical and psychological effects, and compared to other drugs it results in severe damage very quickly. Prolonged meth abuse can result in increased blood pressure, inflammation of the heart lining, stroke, increased aggression and episodes of violent behavior, anxiety, depression, paranoia, insomnia, rapid weight loss, loss of teeth and hair, and skin damage, sores or “graying.” Individuals who inject meth are also at risk for HIV, hepatitis C and other blood-borne viruses. After using meth, the addicted individual experiences a severe withdrawal which can cause feelings of depression and suicide. Meth detox should be performed at a medically supervised, professional detox facility due to the fact that it can result in psychotic episodes, paranoia, delusions, depression, aggression, hallucinations, feelings of suicide, and various physical ailments. If you or someone you know needs help dealing with a meth addiction, passages can help.
