It’s a dangerous drug that’s hugely popular. What are the dangers and how can you get help for a crystal meth addiction?
Crystal meth may not be in the headlines as often, but it is still hugely popular and continues to devastate lives and destroy families. More than 1.4 million Americans tried meth in 2006, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Even more frightening is the statistic that more than 12.3 million Americans 12 and older have tried meth since 2003. Add to that the fact that admission for treatment of meth addiction has soared past cocaine and heroin, and it equals one serious problem.
Crystal methamphetamine comes in clear, crystal chunks that resemble ice or class. The drug is colorless and odorless and is usually smoked, but it can also be snorted or injected. The immediate effect is a euphoric feeling similar to cocaine but longer lasting.
Effects of Crystal Meth Use
In addition to the euphoric high that crystal meth provides, it can also cause erratic, violent behavior in the short term. Mood swings, unpredictability, convulsions, increased blood pressure, irregular heart rate, suicidal or homicidal thoughts, insomnia, paranoia and prolonged anxiety can all occur.
Potential long-term effects include brain damage, coma, stroke or death. Chronic users may also develop distinct symptoms including weight loss, body sores, tooth decay and cracked teeth (a problem so pervasive among meth users it’s been termed “meth mouth”).
Crystal Meth Street Names
Crystal Meth goes by a long list of street names that range from Biker's Coffee, Blade, Chalk, Chicken Feed, Crank, Cristy, Crystal and Crystal Glass to others like Ice, Quick, Poor Man's Cocaine, Quartz, Speed and Tweak. Names can vary widely by geographic region or among different groups of users.
The Meth Crackdown
Meth’s popularity led production of the drug to become a lucrative business. Fortunately, in recent years there’s been a crackdown on ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, the ingredients used to make meth. That’s why in many states you now have to show ID before purchasing many over-the-counter cold and allergy medications. These efforts haven’t hurt the drug’s popularity as much as its purity level, though. The average price of a gram of meth doubled from 2005 to 2006, while the quality took a nosedive.
Restrictions are helping, but they also create new issues as drug traffickers look for other ways to meet the demand for meth. Mexican traffickers supply an estimated 80 percent of the meth Americans consume and the scarcity of pseudoephedrine has made them desperate to find new ways to stay in business. In many areas, the drug is getting harder to find and the lack of purity means addicts can’t get enough to reach the highs they once did.
Help for Crystal Meth Addiction
Maybe you’re not sure you need medical help. How can you tell if you, a friend or a loved one is in need of treatment for a crystal meth addiction? Try answering these simple questions:
Are you using crystal meth to escape today?
Have you tried to stop and can’t?
Has your usage increased in the past few weeks or even the past few days?
Once a problem has been identified, it’s time to get help. A comprehensive assessment by a trained professional can determine if medical detox in needed before beginning the treatment process for crystal meth addiction. If you think you or someone you know is in need of treatment for a crystal meth addiction, contact us at our toll-free number. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day.
