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Crystal Meth Addiction
What is Crystal Meth Addiction? Methamphetamine is a Schedule II stimulant, which means it has a very high potential for abuse. Crystal meth can easily be made in clandestine laboratories from relatively inexpensive over-the-counter ingredients. The effects of using crystal meth can often last for 8 hours. These factors make methamphetamine a drug with a high potential for widespread abuse. Methamphetamine and crystal meth are highly addictive central nervous system stimulants. Users become addicted quickly often using it with increasing frequency and in increasing doses. Tolerance levels developed rapidly for crystal meth use, therefore increasing the amount of the drug needed to satisfy the addiction. Many abusers will repeat the pattern by taking more of the drug during the withdrawal. This leads to a very dangerous cycle and may involve the use of other drugs to get over the withdrawal process. Crystal meth releases high levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which stimulates brain cells, enhancing mood and body movement. Tolerance levels developed rapidly for crystal meth use, therefore increasing the amount of the drug needed to satisfy the addiction. Many abusers will repeat the pattern by taking more of the drug during the withdrawal. This leads to a very dangerous cycle and may involve the use of other drugs to get over the withdrawal process. Crystal meth users feel an intense "rush" when the drug is initially administered. Amy type of using crystal meth results in increased activity, decreased appetite, and a sense of well being that can last from 30 minutes to 12 hours. Methamphetamine is taken orally or intranasally (snorting the powder), by intravenous injection, and by smoking. Immediately after smoking or intravenous injection, the methamphetamine user experiences an intense sensation, called a “rush” or “flash,” that lasts only a few minutes and is described as extremely pleasurable. Oral or intranasal use produces euphoria—a high, but not a rush.
Crystal Meth Addiction and Usage StatisticsAccording to the 2004 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 11.7 million Americans ages 12 and older reported trying methamphetamine at least once during their lifetimes, representing 4.9% of the population in that age category. The number has certainly gone up considerably in the past two years.
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