Crystal Methamphetamine Analysis

To understand the problem, one must first identify the pathways that lead to meth, which is where Shukla began to explore her participants’ different experiences. While the reasoning and circumstances surrounding initiation into meth use several themes appeared. Most notably, most individuals started their drug using careers before they were teenagers, and none began with meth. Early childhood was exposed to drugs, and for that abuse and neglect, were the norm among those with whom she spoke. Shukla uncovered those secrets, regardless of their life experiences, a ‘‘deep love of meth’’ kept her participants trapped in a cycle of drug abuse. (Tchoula 2017).

“Meth, not even once” is a popular phrase that is associated with this drug. This drug has many known horrible effects associated with it, plus many effects more I am sure are going to be discovered over time. I am intending to cover the history, effects, the different categories of meth abuse, and the withdrawal effects of Methamphetamine in this paper, and what to do if you suspect someone you know is using meth.

Crystal abusers become so heavily reliant on the drug that they will go to any extreme to get more- including violent crimes. Due to the manor in which meth is produced the users have no way of knowing what is actually in the product. Along the distribution path the product is cut- to increase profit by creating more product, which puts the user at increased risk of danger. Which brings out many questions, such as: why start, why continue and most of all, why not just quit?

The addiction of methamphetamine amongst juvenile’s and adults has reached epidemic proportions that affect the individual, families and communities. Methamphetamine abuse has crossed all social economic boundaries that have negatively impacted law enforcement, social and clinical services. According to Anglin, Burke, Perrochet, Stamper and Dawud-Noursi (2000), methamphetamine, also known as meth, crystal, or speed, is a substance that affects the central nervous system creating a stimulant effect that can be injected, smoked, snorted, or ingested orally. Individuals who use meth for an extensive period of time tend to become addicted and will likely need to continue to use meth at high levels for its effects to continue to provide the euphoric symptoms and sensations. Anglin, et al, also describe methamphetamine as a derivative of amphetamine, this form of amphetamine was often used for medication purposes in the 1950’s and 1960’s to treat symptoms of depression and obesity. Durell, Kroutil, Crits-Christoph, Barchha, and Van Brunt (2008), also stated that illicit methamphetamine use is a public health concern in the United States with an increase use among teens and young adults in the 1990s. The Mental Health Services Administration conducted a national survey on meth use in the United States and found that currently as least a half a million of Americans used or have used methamphetamine. Meth use is an epidemic that is slowly becoming a destructive

Methamphetamines (Meth) cause a wide array of problems with its users, a lot of which are permanent. Meth’s affects range from neurological issues, alertness, paranoia, and aggression. It also leads to psychological and physical disorders. Because Meth is a stimulant, it can cause the user to be up for days and even weeks at a time causing stress to the body and can result in over exerting oneself and inevitably something will give. Personal problems from users will be talked about, as well as scientific studies on the Meth epidemic.

“I want to be addicted to meth!” Have you ever heard anyone say this? While millions of people use methamphetamines, it would be difficult to find a person that had the desire to become addicted to it. Despite a radical increase in the number of people using this drug and the terrible consequences of doing so, it has recently propelled in popularity. Meth addiction is so common because the use of the drug is prevalent in many areas and because there is little knowledge about the risks involved. Few people comprehend the long-term effects of meth on the brain and the body. Methamphetamine is an extremely powerful drug and is so dangerous because it only takes one time to become seriously

Methamphetamine: A Love Story is a book documenting the lives of various people who were immersed in the culture of using, selling, and manufacturing methamphetamine. Through interviews with over 30 individuals, Rashi Shukla brings to light the drastic effects that manifested when this drug took over their lives. Shukla aims to “illuminate this dark world,” (Shukla 2016, p. 11), and to provide insight as to why methamphetamine becomes more than just a drug to those involved with it.

Imagine a straight A student, getting a full academic ride to a state college. Now imagine he decided to take his first sip of alcohol at his first high school party. He starts focusing on parties rather than his studies; he starts going to more and more parties. Eventually he smokes his first joint, no big deal right? Wrong, marijuana is called the gateway drug, meaning it is the drug that gets you to try worse drugs. He starts trying other things with his friends. He is presented with his first pipe, with crystal meth in it. He didn’t like it at first, but he discovers that he likes the high. he likes how he feels a rush when using it. He starts to use it once every week, then it becomes

Methamphetamines affect the human body in a physical and neurological and psychological way. The use of meth can lead to devastating effects to the nervous system for example leaving the user with nervous ticks and body jerks similar to a person suffering from Parkinson’s disease. On a physical level, the user may show skin sores and tooth decay. Last but the not least, the user may develop psychosis including hallucinations and paranoia.

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the three main learning objectives in chapters 5-10, brought out by David Sheff author of “Clean: Overcoming Addiction and Ending America’s Greatest Tragedy”. The objectives are: (1) Discuss use becomes abuse and abuse becomes addiction, (2) Discuss the disease of addiction and, (3) Discuss Detoxification It is not unique when a person attends a party and gets introduced to a drug, they may try it for many reasons, relaxation, to fit in, or just to be sociable. Some who try a drug as the author states, will use once, some moderately and then occasionally. However, others will begin to increase use not realizing what is happening to their minds, bodies or lives. This is called recreational drug use, which

Crystal meth, we’ve might’ve heard of it from time to time, but what exactly is it? Crystal methamphetamine has become a widespread epidemic across the United States. Methamphetamine crosses all barriers in today’s society, culturally, socially, and economically. The abuse of this drug and its negative oral effects have become all too familiar amongst dentist and dental healthcare workers. Meth last much longer than crack cocaine and although it is much cheaper to purchase, it is much more hazardous and possibly even deadlier to process. The abuse of this drug leads its victims to have an accelerated physical appearance and devastating oral effects known as Meth Mouth.

This was a very informative and a really powerful documentary about addicts who abused meth. I found it very shocking that meth was ranked the number one crime problem in America today (Yates, 2011). Also, another surprising fact was that so many people in Montana were using meth so frequently. In this video it explained “Montana ranks second in the nation for teenage and adult meth abuse” (Yates, 2011). I also had this surprise when I first went to Hawaii in 2009 and there were many commercials and signs to “stop the abuse of meth”. Also, I know that Las Vegas has a high number of users as well.

“On the streets it is referred to as Crystal, Ice, and Crank. Methamphetamines are viciously addictive and provide the hyperactivity effects of cocaine along with the delusional effects of lysergic acid diethylamide known as LSD.” Rehabs can be found in almost every community from the smallest to the largest cities and affects through all social classes from the lowest to highest. “It is estimated that there are twenty-six million and counting worldwide users of this drug.” Meth is a typical high around six to twelve hours on a small quantity. It's so easy to make; if you know how to make chocolate chip cookies then you can make meth simple as that. The documentary the world's most dangerous drug, talks about what meth is and how many people

Over the four-year study 33 participants were willing to share “1,238 years of life experiences” (Shukla XV). Every year, participant and story unique, Shukla illuminated the world of methamphetamine in Oklahoma. The first of the questions Shukla asked was simply, how were you introduced and why did you continue to do it.

Ultimately, these factors contribute to the development of methamphetamine-abuse but also provide tangible strategies to counteract addiction. Boshears et al. (2011) suggest methamphetamine-users separate from existing social networks that encourage consumption and discover new networks that support cessation of drug-use. However, many methamphetamine addicts would be forced to disassociate from immediate family or be required to terminate employment which create limitations due to the impracticality of these changes. Evidently, social determinants contribute to methamphetamine addiction, however successful treatment can only occur in conjunction with the attenuation of significant physiological and psychological factors.