Amphetamines & Methamphetamines Addiction

Amphetamines & Methamphetamines Info

Amphetamines, methamphetamines, MDMA (ecstasy), and crystal meth are all powerful psycho-stimulants of the amphetamine group that can be taken as powder, tablets or in crystal form, and snorted, smoked or swallowed. Amphetamines cause a cascade of dopamine and serotonin release - similar to the arousal of the fight or flight response - making the user feel intensely powerful, alert, strong and invincible. Effects will last for up to 24 hours, leaving the user feeling exhausted, depleted, anxious, tense, sometimes depressed. Psychotic symptoms such as paranoia and suicidal thoughts can occur.

Methamphetamines are a stronger, modern version of the original amphetamines that were marketed as Benzedrine (bennies) since the 1930’s as an appetite suppressant and to treat narcolepsy (a condition in which people suddenly fall asleep).

Illicit Fabrication of Methanphetamine and its Dangers

By the 1960’s methamphetamine, commonly known as “speed”, was being synthesized cheaply and illicitly. The trunk of a car, a kitchen or garage can become a “speed lab”, producing a highly toxic meth product from chemicals such as pseudoephedrine, red phosphorus (found in matchsticks), iodine, and up to 15 different chemicals, including Drano, lithium, paint thinners and ammonia.

Injury, burns and death result from combustion and explosion of chemicals used in meth labs. Illicit speed labs produce around eight times the volume of the drugs produced as toxic chemical residues. The cleanup of illicit speed labs can cost thousands of dollars. Controversy rages in the USA today because the Federal government has cut funding for meth lab cleanups – leaving local communities to somehow bear the cost.

Users are attracted to meth, because of the “high” that they expect to get. Unexpected and unwanted side effects of a meth high can include:

• Sleeplessness
• Confusion
• Hallucinations
• Convulsions
• Death.
• High doses of amphetamine can put a strain on the heart and circulation
• Damage to small blood vessels
• strokes
• irregular heartbeat can occur, leading to cardio-vascular collapse and death

Meth use can also interfere with natural dopamine production – tending to cause symptoms similar to Parkinson’s disease, in users of any age.

Meth on the street is known by many names. Crank is perhaps the lowest grade – dirty and yellow in color, for snorting, and it is cheap. People who use meth are often called “tweakers”, a term originating in the American Mid West. Meth is also called tweak, ice or glass. The use of meth produces an intense high or rush, often called a “flash’.

Ecstacy: a Variant of Amphetamine

Many people who use amphetamines as a stimulant also use the so called "party drugs" GBH, PCP and Ketamine. Ecstasy is now a drug commonly used at raves. Ecstasy (MDMA) is a variant of amphetamine that creates intense feelings of affection, enhancing feelings of connection and harmony with humanity in general. The individual experience of amphetamine use depends upon the personality of the user. Whereas positive emotions can be a result of using amphetamines, continued use and abuse tends to rapidly lead to mental confusion, and degradation.

All forms of amphetamine are strongly addictive due to powerful effects on the central nervous system (CNS), leading rapidly to tolerance and painful withdrawal symptoms. In Canada amphetamines are schedule III drugs and meth was classified as schedule I in 2005.

The problem of meth addiction is not new. In 2004, according to the Canadian Addiction Survey (CAS), around 6% of Canadians over 15 years old had used meth at least once, and a 2004 study of raves in Montreal showed that around 70% of drugs used at raves were amphetamines.

Effects on Chronic Users

Chronic users neglect basic health care, don’t prioritise food, and live in primitive conditions. Meth addicts suffer from skin ailments and rashes, poor oral hygiene lead to “meth mouth”. Muscle waste, and general fatigue makes meth users rapidly look much older than they are. Users are often unaware of how much their physical appearance, and the internal health of body and mind deteriorates with habitual use of meth. Continued meth use is a slow road towards eventual death at best. Buying meth on the street brings risk of death from overdose or contamination. Meth users have a high risk of contracting infections and viruses. Meth users suffer from a range of nutritional deficiency diseases.

Meth addiction leads to physical illness and mental disorder – yet recovery is possible. Traditional methods for meth addiction recovery don’t get down to the issues involved of why people choose to use meth. In a CBC News Article, it is estimated that there is a 92% failure rate with traditional methods for drug detox and rehab for people using amphetamines, meth and crystal meth. Society offers no welcoming light at the end of the tunnel once a person has got to the stage of choosing to use meth.

Like users of crack cocaine, chronic meth users typically find themselves rejected and marginalized by mainstream society. Meth users lack support and motivation to pick themselves up from the bottom of the social heap, and issues of poverty, and social injustice conspire to keep them there. Homelessness and alienation are features of long-term meth addiction.

Recovery Is More Than Probable with the Narconon Rehab Program

Effective recovery from chronic amphetamine use and addiction is possible – and achievable if people are willing to make the decision to put a stop to using illegal drugs and regain a normal, contented life.

A comprehensive drug rehab program like Narconon, helps people to deal with the issues in their lives that lead to substance abuse. Narconon's methods include a natural drug-free detox program that supports self-esteem, empowers the addict to regain control and provides a complete drug detoxification. Nutritional support and help to recover healthy, positive ways of thinking enable former meth addicts to achieve complete recovery from meth dependence and addiction. Since 1966, the Narconon program is enabling addicts from all around the world to completely overcome drug cravings and addiction – offering people another chance at life, instead of the hazards and despair of continued meth addiction.

You can find more information about the Narconon drug rehab program Trois-Rivières by calling 1-877-782-7409 or by filling out the online consultation form.