Short-Term-and-Long-Term-Effects-of-Methanphetamine

Short-Term and Long-Term Effects of Methanphetamine

Methamphetamine is a highly addictive drug, whether injected, snorted or smoked, that affects the brain and central nervous system. Methamphetamine increase levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which stimulates brain cells, enhancing mood and body movement.

Short-Term Effects

When methamphetamine is injected or smoked it immediately produces an intensely pleasurable sensation known as a "rush" or a "flash" by releasing high levels of dopamine in the brain. Snorting methamphetamine produces an euphoric sensation, but not a rush.

Even taken in small amounts, methamphetamine can cause:

- Increased wakefulness.

- Increased physical activity.

- Decreased appetite.

- Increased respiration.

- Hyperthermia.

- Increased heart rate and blood pressure.

- Irregular heart beat.

- Cardiovascular collapse.

- Other effects of meth use on the central nervous system can produce the following symptoms:

- Irritability.

- Prolonged insomnia.

- Confusion.

- Anxiety.

- Tremors.

- Convulsions.

- Paranoia.

- Aggressiveness.

- Hyperthermia and convulsions can be fatal. Methamphetamine can also cause irreversible damage to the blood vessels in the brain, resulting in a stroke.

Long-Term Effects

- Chronic meth use can result in:

- Violent behavior.

- Psychotic behavior.

- Auditory hallucinations.

- Mood disturbances.

- Delusions and paranoia.

- Homicidal or suicidal thoughts.

The long-term use of methamphetamine can cause damage to the brain similar to that caused by Alzheimer's disease, stroke and epilepsy. This brain damage lingers for months even after the user stops methamphetamine use.

Methamphetamine abuse can produce extreme anorexia. Even over a short period of use, methamphetamine can cause drastic changes in the appearance of the user. See The Face of Meth Use.

Overdose

Unlike other drugs, a methamphetamine overdose gives no immediate signs to users. Users can take a lethal dose and not immediately realize that they have just done so.

An overdose results in a rapid onset of physiological deterioration, eventually leading to a heart attack or stroke. Because of the rapid onset, death occurs suddenly and unexpectedly.

A meth overdose produces profuse sweating, rapid breathing, increased heart rate and dilated pupils. A person who has overdosed on meth with have a high temperature, kidney failure and cardiovascular collapse -- and it will all happen very quickly.

Addiction

Methamphetamine is highly addictive and users become physically dependent upon the drug quickly. Meth, like amphetamine, produces a rapid pleasurable feeling, which is followed by feelings of depression and irritability when the drug wears off.

Users will seek and use more methamphetamine in order to get back to that state of pleasure, or to just feel "normal" again, which results in a physical dependence on the drug. It is a never-ending cycle.

Do you think you may need treatment for drug abuse? Take the Drug Abuse Treatment Screening Quiz to find out.

Withdrawal

People who stop using methamphetamine experience a wide variety of symptoms, including:

- Irritability.

- Depression.

- Fearfulness.

- Loss of energy.

- Extreme craving for the drug.

Meth withdrawal also results in actual physical symptoms:

- Shaking or tremors.

- Nausea.

- Palpitations.

- Sweating.

- Hyperventilation.

- Increased appetite.

People withdrawing from methamphetamine can alternate from wanting to sleep all the time, to not being able to sleep. Withdrawal symptoms can last for several weeks.

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The Have I Got A Problem website is a free online resource to help people better understand any issues or concerns they may have about mental health or addiction. The website includes resources specifically focused to; general Mental Health, Depression, Stress, Anxiety, Insecurities, Self-harm Schizophrenia, Bipolar, Anger Management, Eating Disorders, Coping, general Addiction, Alcohol, Smoking, Gambling, Drugs, Cocaine, Heroin, Marijuana (Cannabis) Ecstasy, PCP, Mephedrone, Ketamine & Crystal Meth.

The site was created to give the public information to help them understand mental health and addiction issues and to assist people in making better informed decisions about their life and personal choices.

www.haveigotaproblem.com was created and is run by 'Advising Communities’, which is a UK registered charity (Charity No. 1061055)

Quotes

"Regardless of how it is looked at, crystal meth addiction is a serious problem, and needs to be treated right away."

Hayes

"I don't miss the fact that now when my lips move it is more than likely I am actually telling the truth."

Jane S

"I don't miss the fear that arose when I'm driving my car every time a police car hovers into view."

Steven

"My lowest point was when I realised I was stealing money from my daughters Christmas presents to fund my habit."

P. Gomez

"That's what made me think of stopping my drug habits - My Blood pressure spiked at 200/110 last week during a Panic Attack."

Maria

"Anyone being faced with the reality that their addiction needs to be conquered and their life will change is going to be scared."

Fatima

"Find out why you use, find out your triggers, and take it day by day. Any day clean is better than any day you’ve been high."

Ivan

"My goal in life wasn't living...it was getting high. I was falling in a downward spiral towards a point of no return"

John

"I ended up homeless and on the streets, living and sleeping in a cardboard box, begging and struggling to find ways to get my next meal."

Ben

"Little did I know that my mom was upstairs crying every night that I came home late, crying because she was scared for my survival."

Nick

"It’s going to take a fight to get out, but if I beat my addiction to crystal meth, you can beat yours."

Eve

"By the time I was done with my addiction to crystal meth, I had racked up 4 arrests, 9 felonies, a $750,000 bail, a year in jail."

Jeff

"Even my fellow users didn't want to touch me. They said I was gross because I was so skinny."

Kristan

"I couldn’t see how dependent I was, and when it was all too late I couldn’t stop."

Carrie

"It destroys the happiness in your brain so eventually the only way to get that happy feeling again is to get high."

Brittney

"It wasn't me when I was using, I was soulless."

Anonymous

"When I was 23, I was introduced to meth. I got so addicted that I loved meth more than my husband."

Irene

"I have to remind myself how bad the come down can be and that just one is too many and a thousand won't be enough."

Anonymous

"I dont' remember being brought into emergency nor do I remember how long I was out for. What I do remember is when I awoke. I had been sleeping for nearly a month! They told me I had slipped into a drug induced coma, and was nearly lost."

Anonymous

"It was a long process but I eventually kicked the habit entirely by the time I was 17, and I have to say I couldn't be happier about it."

Ares

"Everyday is a battle and I don't want to lose. I don't want to ruin my life."

Sandra

"Looking back over the past year, it's hard to work out the exact point at which a bit of fun became an addiction."

Simon

"I couldn't stop talking, and my heart was racing. I was restless and so horny. I stayed up till the next afternoon, taking Viagra to keep the sex going non-stop."

Simon

"Friends, my sister, even my ex, tried to help, but I shut them out, literally slamming the door on them if I bothered to answer it at all."

Simon

"I'd be high for days, having sex with so many guys I just lost count."

Simon

"One morning, I woke up bleeding with excruciating pain in my pelvic area."

Simon

"It was bad, but at least it wasn't as bad as could be. I was lucky to be alive"

Simon

"Whether you have a history of drug addiction or not, has no bearing on whether you get addicted to this drug. It is Russian roulette, pure and simple."

Staley

"I have to remind myself how bad the come down can be and that just one is too many and a thousand won't be enough."

Bree

"The crash that comes along with these methamphetmeine type drugs, and the way it takes over your whole being. It's no longer worth it to me."

Mathew

"I sold my car, lost my job, was kicked out of my mother’s house, was $25,000 in credit card debt, and living on the streets of Camden, New Jersey. I lied, I stole, I cheated."

Alison

More Send us your Quotes

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Maintain a good mental attitude

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Set small goals that are easier to reach

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Get rid of your drugs and drug paraphernalia

This includes all product, baggies, spoons, needles, bleach, mirrors, and any other stuff you use when you get high. Be sure you get ri...

Throw out phone numbers that trigger thoughts about using

Change your phone number. Get rid of your pager. Make it hard for your dealer and acquaintances to reach you. Make it hard for you to r...

Become aware of your using patterns

Like when, why, where and with whom you use most often. Whenever you can, avoid these situations and find other activities to substitut...

Anticipate withdrawal

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Watch your eating habits

Limit your intake of caffeine, sugar and white flour products like pastries, cookies and white bread. Sugar comes in many forms: white,...

Alternative Therapy

To take your mind off the cravings for meth, try some alternative therapies. You never know, they might work – and failing that, the ...

Exercise and eat well

Getting some exercise has multiple benefits for your body – increasing metabolism, getting the blood flowing, releasing endorphins. E...

Patience!

You didn’t get into this mess in a day, and you won’t get out of it in that short timeframe either. Kicking crystal meth will invol...

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