Mehtamphetamine

What is methamphetamine?
Methamphetamine is a powerful, long-lasting stimulant drug that produces a "high" or sense of euphoria in users. It can be taken orally, snorted through the nose, injected or smoked. Users can get addicted to methamphetamine very quickly, using it more and more often and in larger doses. More than 12 million Americans over 12, or about 5% of the population, have tried methamphetamine at least once.

Methamphetamine is made in illegal labs that are becoming an increasing problem, especially in the Midwest where agricultural chemicals used in making the drug are easy to get. Its street names include meth, speed, chalk, crank, croak, crypto and white cross. Methamphetamine hydrochloride is a very pure, smokable form of the drug that's also called crystal meth, ice, crystal, glass and tina.

Signs & symptoms
Methamphetamine tightens blood vessels which raises heartbeat and blood pressure. This can cause heart attack and stroke even in very young people. The drug makes people lose their inhibitions, so they're more likely to take risks, including more sexual risks. Users are more vulnerable to HIV/AIDs, especially if they inject the drug. Long-term use can result in:

• Dependence or addiction
• Addiction psychosis, a severe mental disorder that can produce hallucinations, paranoia, mood disorders and repetitive movement
• Severe anorexia
• Memory loss

Watch for these signs of methamphetamine abuse:

• More alertness, high energy, inability to sleep
• Increased sensitivity to noise
• Burns on the lips, nosebleeds, track marks on arms
• Nervous actions like scratching, fidgeting
• Decreased appetite, rapid weight loss, extreme thinness or anorexia
• Shaking, tremors

Some behavioral signs that may signal methamphetamine use:

• Irritability, dizziness, confusion
• Aggression, violent behavior
• Withdrawal from family and friends
• Loss of interest in favorite activities
• Slipping performance, absenteeism at school or at work
• Carelessness about personal appearance
• Frequent need of money; missing valuables around the house

Also be on the lookout for:

• Drug paraphernalia for inhaling, like razor blades, mirrors, straws
• Paraphernalia for injecting, like syringes, spoons for heating, surgical tubing

Who's at risk?
People of all educational backgrounds, income levels and cultural heritages abuse drugs. Teens are especially vulnerable, and so are people with mental illness. Most methamphetamine users are between 18 and 34 years old. Among high-schoolers, almost 10% have tried methamphetamine at least once. Methamphetamine use is higher among white and Hispanic students than among blacks. Risk factors for methamphetamine and other drug use also include:

• Family history of alcohol or drug problems
• Social environment that's favorable to drug use
• Lack of supervision (teens)
• Depression, anxiety or other mental condition

Professional help
Drug abuse and drug addiction - the compulsive, uncontrollable use of a drug - are chronic conditions that can be successfully treated with behavioral modification therapy and by attending recovery support groups. Right now there are no medications to treat methamphetamine abuse, but antidepressants are sometimes used to treat the depression users experience after quitting the drug.

Even after treatment, many people will fall back into drug use. That's why the earlier you get help, the better chance you have of a long-term recovery. Priority Health members can check here for information on getting help with drug abuse and addiction problems.

What you can do
In addition to treatment, here are some things you can do to help yourself stay drug-free.

• Stay with the program. It usually takes several months to see improvement, so don't give up too soon on your treatment.
• Get help for other health conditions. People with depression, anxiety or other mental health problems are more likely to abuse drugs. If you have signs or symptoms of any of these, see your doctor for treatment. Read more about mental and emotional health conditions.
• Don't put yourself at risk. Stay away from the places you used to get drugs and the people you did drugs with.