Methamphetamine is a central nervous system stimulant; this drug is commonly referred to as crystal meth, speed, meth and ice. Methamphetamine is highly addictive and the majority of users become addicted to it after the first time they try it. Common side effects after the first time one uses methamphetamine include an increased sense of energy, the desire to be overly talkative, a false sense of confidence, irritability, and an increased sex drive. Frequent users of methamphetamine must continue to increase their dosage of this drug to experience the high they felt when they initially began using.
Studies show that methamphetamine releases approximately twelve times the dopamine that food, sex or other pleasurable activities release.
Due to this incredible high, there are also incredible lows, leaving a person feeling extremely depressed and often drained of all energy.
Methamphetamine is one of the least expensive drugs to manufacture, making it very accessible to every type of person regardless of their financial state. There are several ways to ingest methamphetamine, it may be swallowed, snorted, smoked or injected.
Each of these methods ultimately leads to the same high which can last anywhere from six to twelve hours.
The high from this drug lasts quite a long time when compared with the same amount of cocaine lasting only twenty minutes.
There are many warning signs that one may be addicted to methamphetamine. One major clue is the physical appearance of a person using methamphetamine. Dramatic weight loss and changes in a persons skin are often the first signs of a problem in methamphetamine users. Methamphetamine addicts are known to obsessively pick at their skin. This may look similar to an extreme case of acne, often leaving them with open sores on their face. Methamphetamine addicts often complain about having crawling skin, a disorder known as formication. Another common sign is tooth loss or tooth decay, referred to as "meth mouth". Due to the lack of nutrients in an addict’s body as well as the dangerous chemicals they ingest, hair loss or breakage frequently occurs as well. Additionally, methamphetamine users tend to become extremely paranoid, often feeling as though they are being followed or chased. The chemicals in methamphetamine impair a person’s judgment; they are generally not concerned with the long-term consequences of their behavior. Unprotected sex and shared needles are common practices in methamphetamine addicts, increasing their chances of transmitting and receiving sexually transmitted diseases. Methamphetamine addiction is one of the hardest drug dependencies to treat. Fortunately many rehabilitation centers exist that have been trained to treat this specific addiction.
[page updated February 2009]