Help for Meth Abuse
Meth, technically referred to as methamphetamine, attacks the central nervous system. It is a powerful stimulant. It also has a high potential for dependency and abuse. This synthetic drug is illegal and can be found in capsule, powder, pill and a chunk variety. Others will choose to inject, smoke or snort it. Like cocaine, its initial effect produces a very powerful high that quickly tapers off. Therefore, also like cocaine, it leaves its users begging for more.
Meth has other street names such as speed, zip, crank, zip, chald, or cristy. Those choosing to smoke meth refer to it as ice, quartz or crystal. Other names have been adopted but these are the most widely used.
Meth can easily be manufactured right in the kitchen. This makes this powerful drug much more easily distributed in the United States because it can be more easily produced in and imported in an already processed form.
Those who use meth, as well as their reasons, vary considerably. High school, college students, and many blue collar workers such as truck drivers and shift users, have reportedly used meth to stay away and have more energy longer. It is also popular among the unemployed and people in their 20s. It seems to be equally prevalent in rural and urban locales. It also appears to be divided equally among both men and women; however, women tend to be more likely to use meth over cocaine.
Many people begin using meth as a means to increase performance. It induces the individual with a heightened mental and physical ability. This is why many shift works and truck drivers use the drug. It allows them to stay awake longer to be able to work longer hours, meet deadlines, and increase earning potential. Using meth significantly decreases appetite. Therefore, it is most popular among young women as a means to weight loss. It’s also attractive as a recreational drug over cocaine due to its cost and accessibility.
Meth is considered one of the most addictive, illegal drugs available today. Daily life for the newly acquainted meth user remains pretty much the same. Initially, many users are able to function and carry on normally. Then the addiction begins to take hold of their lives. Eventually those who become addicted find they are unable to take care of daily life like work and school. Their priorities begin to shift to one of dependency on the drug and nothing else seems to matter to them.
Treatment of meth can be one of the most challenging. Although, many addicts get over the acute effects quickly, its ongoing effects are what tend to cause a relapse. The ongoing cravings for meth can last six to eight months for non habitual users and two the three years for regular users. Effective treatment not only addresses the initial drug dependency, but also considers behavior and thinking patterns that are a direct link to the disease. This ensures a more meaningful and success driven recovery.
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