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Methamphetamine, commonly known as meth is a powerful, very addictive drug. As a stimulant, it affects the central nervous systems and alters the brain chemistry. The drug takes the form of a white, somewhat transparent, and bitter-tasting powder. Meth can easily dissolve in alcohol and water
In the early 20th century, scientists develop methamphetamine based on its parent drug, amphetamine. Both drugs used in nasal decongestants and bronchial inhalers. Like its parent drug, methamphetamine causes these side effects:
Compare to amphetamine, methamphetamine can create more damage in the brain even in comparable doses, making meth a more powerful stimulant. The drug also produces more detrimental effects on the central nervous system. Meth also has a longer lasting effect which makes the drug with high potential for widespread abuse.
The Unites States Drug Enforcement Administration or DEA classified meth as a Schedule II stimulant. However, doctors can still prescribe the drug as a non-refillable prescription.
These medications are so rare, that the prescribed doses are smaller in number that those usually abused.
Methamphetamine, as powerful stimulant comes in various forms and users either:
Depending on the geographical region, users have different ways of abusing meth- thus the need for the best addiction center. The trend continues to change as time goes by. The most common way of ingesting the drug is through smoking, according to Epidemiology Work Group or CEWG research data.
Smoking or injecting meth can reach the bloodstream and brain rapidly. This can cause an intense ‘rush’, increasing the drug’s addictive properties and other deadly health complications. Users described the immense ‘rush’ or ‘flash’ as exceptionally pleasurable to them. Similarly, snorting or orally ingesting the drug can also produce euphoria but not as intense.
Like most stimulants meth abuse is often described in a “binge and crash” usage pattern. Because meth is a short-acting drug, the euphoric feeling disappears even before the drug concentration in the blood ‘crash’, users take more of the drug to maintain the high feeling. In extreme cases, users take meth in a binging occasion referred to as a ‘run’. During this stage, users sacrifice food and sleep while continuing to take meth for several days.
Chances of drug overdose increase when users fall in this binging occasion. They take too much of the drug in a small span of time. This can create a toxic reaction that leads to serious, more detrimental effects on the users which often results to coma even death.
Even though meth abuse shows declining trends, misuse of the drug still continues and varies regional areas. The most affected area seen in the West and Midwest based on the study of National Institute on Drug Abuse of NIDA. In 2012, methamphetamine ranks as the top most drug-related admission treatment in Hawaii and San Diego. San Francisco, Denver, and Phoenix rank second and third in meth admissions cases.
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Dr. Vikram Tarugu, M.D, is the CEO of Detox of South Florida, Inc and medical professional focused on addiction. A veteran in the medical field with over 25 years of professional experience. He is a consultant for many South Florida Rehab centers. Patients travel from allover the US to seek his help with addiction and Hepatitis C treatment.
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