Methamphetamine Addiction and Treatment
Methamphetamine, commonly known as Meth, is an addictive stimulant that has the capacity to interact with certain brain systems and activate them accordingly. It is also referred to as Chalk, Crank, Croak, Crypto, Crystal, Fire, Glass, Tweek, or White Cross. Methamphetamine can be administered orally, snorted or smoked. Typically it looks like a crystal type of substance, but sometimes it is available in large rock-like chunks.
Historical Significance of Methamphetamine
Nagayoshi Nagai, a Japanese chemist, first synthesized Methamphetamine from ephedrine in 1893. In 1919, crystallized meth was synthesized by minimizing the quantity of ephedrine and increasing the amount of red phosphorous and iodine. This was done by Akira Ogata. During 1950s, it was legally prescribed to American people for the therapeutic and pharmacological benefit in combating with narcolepsy, obesity, alcoholism and Parkinson.
How Methamphetamine Works
Meth is an extremely strong stimulant that affects the functions of central nervous system and interacts with bodily neurochemical mechanisms responsible for controlling appetite, blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, mood, attention, and alertness. Methamphetamine addiction may result in altering the route and direction of norepinephrine carrier and dopamine carrier. This alteration causes a discharge of these transmitters from the vesicles to the synapse via cytoplasm, resulting in disruption in the usual function of post-synaptic receptors.
Risks Associated With Methamphetamine Addiction
There are a great variety of psychological and physiological risks associated with Methamphetamine addiction. The major risks include increased blood pressure, inflammation of the heart lining, fast heart beat, damage to small blood vessels in the brain, insomnia, intense wakefulness, anxiety, violent behavior, confusion, paranoia, etc. The intravenous (IV) users are highly susceptible of developing HIV, hepatitis B or C, blood borne viruses, tuberculosis, pneumonia, kidney disease and many others. After a prolonged Methamphetamine addiction, users may suffer from psychotic symptoms that may even persist for lifetime.
Treatment for Methamphetamine Addiction
At present, the most effective form of treatment for Methamphetamine addiction is detoxification followed by cognitive-behavioral therapy. This approach helps in modifying client's thought process, expectations, reality orientations, and behaviors. Additionally, it also benefits in increasing coping skills with various life stressors. Contingency management is also found beneficial. These therapies in combination with family education, individual and group counseling, 12-step program, drug testing, and encouragement and options for non drug-related activities have been found to reduce the risk of Methamphetamine addiction.
However, there is no particular medication available till date that can counteract with the effects produced by Methamphetamine. Only influencing individuals in a positive fashion and encouraging them to stay clean are the measures that come under the treatment for Methamphetamine addiction.
