Methamphetamine, (a synthetic drug with more rapid and lasting effects than amphetamine, use illegally as a stimulant and as a prescription drug to treat narcolepsy and maintain blood pressure) was develop from its parent drug, amphetamine, (a synthetic, addictive, mood-altering drug, use illegally as a stimulant and legally as a prescription drug to treat children with ADD and adults with narcolepsy) and was used originally in nasal decongestants and bronchial inhalers (NIH, 2015). Meth is a dangerous and potent chemical and, as with all drugs, a poison that first acts as a stimulant, but then begins to systematically destroy the body, meth is a synthetic (man-made) chemical. Meth is commonly manufactured in illegal, hidden laboratories, mixing …show more content…
Methamphetamine abusers are teens reported from age 12 to adults; when teens start abusing drugs, they do it out of peer-pressure, trying to “fit in” in high school; they don’t want to be consider the outcast or the loner. I did research a story of a young lady who did struggle with addiction, who had overcome her addiction and bettered her life from the mistake of letting meth control part of her youth. In result of trying to fit in, they follow the path of drugs, partying, misbehaving rather than creating their own path. Carren Clem, a young woman who grew up in rural Montana, never believed she would become a drug addict. In sixth grade, she started having social problems; she was teased and excluded by the other kids, especially girls. Determined to make friends, she jumped at the opportunity to skip school with an older girl and go to a party at her friend’s house. Unfortunately, the friend was an older boy who gave them beer and ended up raping Carren. To deal with the shame and report the crime, she started drinking, skipping school and hanging out with “bad” kids. The next year she took a job, she partied with her coworkers. One day one of them offered her a “pick-me-up” because she was tired. As a result the “pick-me-up” was methamphetamine. She smoked all weekend long; the high was so intense it was unbelievable; she was hooked right away. With the addicting effect of meth, she was constantly trying to get more and more that it resulted with her arguing with her parents and moving out of their home. She was doing anything to get meth, stealing car stereos, having sex, whatever to get the drug. When she final hit rock bottom, she wanted to commit suicide. Her “friends” tried to help her by giving her high doses of drugs and alcohol, but she didn’t die. She knew in that moment that she needed help; so she called her youth pastor who then called her
During 1984 through 1994, 10 years into The Crack Epidemic, the homicide rate of African American males aged 14-17 doubled. Along with an increase of African American children in foster care, fetal death rates and weapon arrests. Roles lost in families and the community. Health and lifestyle of the African American communities depleting due to the powerful affects of crack cocaine. The African American community has been significantly affected by The Crack Epidemic in the areas of health and culture as a result of where the source of crack cocaine introduced itself in America, laws surrounding crack cocaine and the perception of the drug.
The Meth Epidemic was a time where an abundance of individuals across the United States was exposed to meth. It became an addiction that could not be stopped. Higher officials done everything they could to stop it but meth always found its way to others. Unfortunately, this has affected society because of the high crime rate it has caused. Hence, their addiction has caused them to make decisions that has affected society and causing others to make serious decisions.
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.
During the last seven months whilst working at a men’s shelter (Cornerstone Community Association, in the heart of Oshawa, which some may say is the drug capital of the Durham Region) many of the shelter guests (men who stay in the shelter) have disclosed being on the methadone maintenance program, stating as a result of being addicted to opioid drugs. I have chosen to write about this psychoactive drug because I want to explore, become more knowledgeable and more confident when talking about this complex drug.
Methadone is one of the most common medications used to treat opioid addiction. It decreases the symptoms of opioid withdrawal and inhibits the euphoric effects caused by abusing heroin and prescription opioids such as oxycodone. When used as prescribed and under the supervision of a trained physician, methadone is an effective complement to treatment. SAMHSA also recommends patients remain on methadone treatment for at least 12 months. Many people require multiple years of treatment. When discontinuing methadone treatment, patients should slowly taper off of it under doctor supervision. Buprenorphine decreases the potential for opioid abuse, reduces withdrawal symptoms and cravings and decreases the risks of overdose. Because buprenorphine
Methadone is a synthetic (man-made) narcotic. There is a chemical in methadone known as opioid. Methadone is a depressant and can cause symptoms as such as sweating, itchy skin, and sleepiness. “When the use of this drug is stopped it causes withdrawal symptoms as such as anxiety, muscle tremors, abdominal cramps” and etc (dea.gov).
Current medications that can be used to treat opioid disorders include methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. Patients who are addicted to heroin and narcotics have been treated with methadone for years. In 1937, methadone was synthesized by the german scientist Max Bockmuhl and Gustav Erhart (18). They created the drug in hopes that I will be less addictive then your typical pain killers, although some believe it can be more addictive than heroin (18). While taking this drug it is recommended to be a part of a comprehensive medication-assisted treatment (MAT) program for optimal results. By changing how the brain and nervous system react to pain, methadone can make opioid withdraw; less painful (13). It is taken once a day and can be given
The meth epidemic of the United States has been invasive and problematic from the time it was introduced from the early 1900’s until now. Though introduced through pharmaceutical companies for treatment from depression to colds, the drug has become one of America’s most addictive, abusive, and destructive drugs. The economy and the role of the government, as well as pharmaceutical companies, play the main role in how meth was introduced and the reason it is still abused today. The novel, by Nick Reding, titled Methland follows the effects of meth on a small town, but it also gives us insight in to how these three factors play a major role in the making, use, abuse, and distributing of this drug. This paper will follow the timeline of methamphetamine and what was going on in the economy as well as government action.
Methadone is a synthetic opioid drug which was first used in World War II for the treatment of pain. Since then, methadone has become a popular choice for treating those addicted to other opioid drugs such as heroin, oxycodone, morphine, and hydrocodone. It is used to reduce dependency and the treatment should help them become clean. Even though, the policy of giving methadone to drug addicts is not a cure, it is a good one. Fortunately, the Methadone Maintenance Treatment (MMT) is a reliable way for those with an opioid addiction to stop and not restart the use of opioids. For many, methadone treatment provides an opportunity to regain balance in both lifestyle and priorities. (“Opiate Addiction and Treatment Resource”). Everyone deserves
Methadone has been used since the late 1960s to treat heroin addictions. Methadone is a synthetic opioid that is highly addictive and is harder to withdraw from than heroin. Despite 50 years of experience and widespread acceptance by addiction specialists and health agencies, Methadone Maintenance Treatment (MMT) has sometimes been publicly controversial in the U.S. and other countries. MMT is a program in which addicted individuals receive daily doses of methadone as part of a broad, multicomponent treatment plan (Methadone Maintence Treatment, 2002). Critics argue that methadone doesn’t actually help heroin addicts, but just replaces heroin with an equally addictive methadone (Mason, 2013). From my perspective, methadone should not be given to heroin addicts because it does not
It has a greater treatment retention than detoxification, 439 days for methadone treatment vs 174 days for detoxification method (Sees, Delucchi, Masson, Rosen, Clark, Robillard et al., 2000).
The ingredients used to create meth, are not complex ingredients. Many of the ingredients are normal every day household chemicals, and over-the-counter drugs.
It was developed in Japan in 1919 with little research for what it could do to the body. Methamphetamine was easily used because it could be dissolved in water making it have the characterization of an injectable drug. During World War 2, between 1939 and 1945, Meth was used at large amounts to keep soldiers awake and alert. They didn't know that they were really giving these soldiers an addicting high. During the 1950s it was then diagnosed as an antidepressant and a diet aid making it more commonly used. By the 1960s it was being abused even more due to the fact that it was a common drug that was able to be used as medicine (“Foundation for a Drug Free World”). It was also easier to access. Today Meth is transported to the US by Mexico. It is produced in large laboratories in Mexico but is also produced here in the US in toxic labs which explains how bad it is alone. Meth was used in the past like it was good for us and no big deal but now the real dangers and risks are known for this
The abuse of methamphetamine is a very serious problem in the United States. According to one national survey, approximately 10 million people in the United States have tried methamphetamine at least once (Meth Abuse and Addiction, 2010). Methamphetamine is a highly addictive stimulant that affects the central nervous system. Although most of the methamphetamine used in this country comes from foreign or domestic super labs, the drug is also easily made in small clandestine laboratories, with inexpensive over the counter ingredients. Methamphetamine is commonly known as “speed,” “meth,” and “chalk.” In its smoked form it is often referred to as “ice,” “crystal,” “crank,” and “glass.” It is a
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?