Crystal methamphetamine is a synthetic psychostimulant drug that speeds up the inner working of the brain and affects the central nervous system, with long-lasting effects on the body. Nicknames include crystal, speed, zoom, go, crank, tweak, ice, glass, rock candy, shizzo, yaba, fire, uppers, poor man’s cocaine or shards. Some people call it Tina when out in public, because it sounds like they’re talking about a person rather than a drug.
In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom and San Francisco Mayor London Breed have stepped up drug-related arrests. In Oregon, polls show voters may soon reverse a 2022 measure that largely ended criminal penalties for low-level drug possession offenses. Meanwhile, former president and 2024 hopeful Donald Trump has advocated for executing drug dealers.
Meth use symptoms
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, studies have shown that chronic meth use alters the part of the brain that controls emotions and memory. Methadone is tightly regulated in part because it is an opioid itself, and can cause overdose when misused or used in combination with other substances or medications. Unfortunately, meth user’s sex obsession makes them most likely to engage is risky sexual behavior. Addiction to meth often means extended periods of risky sexual encounters producing meth addiction a serious risk of HIV or a sexually-transmitted infection. Trivedi says the next hurdle will be educating patients and clinicians about this option and trying to ensure that prescriptions for this use of the two approved drugs are reimbursed by insurance companies. Some clinicians say that may not be a significant hurdle because many people who use drugs suffer from and are prescribed an antidepressant and many have a co-occurring addiction for which naltrexone would be appropriate.
There are some promising medical treatments for meth addiction currently in development. You might wonder if it’s drug use or something else, such as stressful job or time in their life. Meth causes physical symptoms typical of stimulants such as increasing blood pressure and heart rate and also changes how a person’s brain works. As with other substances that may cause a person to develop an SUD, using meth can lead to physical, mental, and social difficulties. In this article we will explore the symptoms and causes of meth addiction, how doctors diagnose and treat it, and when to speak with a healthcare professional. It’s also dangerous to combine meth with other stimulants, like cocaine.
Will there be a return to police-first drug policy?
She says when she started her recovery, it was hard in part because there were no medical treatments to help with cravings and withdrawal. Learn more about the risks and side effects of substance use disorders, including the signs of intoxication or overdose. Dependence refers to a physical state in which your body is dependent on the drug. With drug dependence, you need more and more of the substance to achieve the same effect (tolerance). You experience mental and physical effects (withdrawal) if you stop taking the drug. Meth abuse and dependence can cause anxiety just as someone struggling with anxiety may take a drug like meth to self-medicate difficult symptoms of an anxiety disorder.
Recovering addicts may also move to a sober living home — a residence where people practice a sober lifestyle. Many individuals recovering from meth addiction continue to work on their sobriety after rehab. They attend 12-step meetings such as Crystal Meth Anonymous, where they communicate with others in recovery and learn ways to avoid triggers and manage cravings. The risk for relapse reduces during the adjustment stage of meth recovery. They begin to adapt to their new lifestyle, which may include new jobs or relationships.
Causes of Meth Addiction
Methamphetamine is an addictive drug that has energizing (stimulant) effects. As a powder, it can be snorted or dissolved in water and injected. https://ecosoberhouse.com/ describes when a person develops SUD as a result of meth use.
