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News/Information/Articles |
 States list meth offenders on Web.
States list meth offenders on Web.
States frustrated with the growth of toxic methamphetamine labs ...
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Meth reforms in Patriot Act.
Allard Touts Meth Reforms in Patriot Act.
Mar. 1--The Senate is expected to give final approval ...
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Meth tightens toxic grip on girls
Sitting in a circle in a basement classroom at the Turning Point girls' residence, five ...
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The fight against meth
OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma State Senate voted 45-0 Monday for a bill that would ...
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Meth use and ID theft
Police across the country are seeing a link between identify theft and methamphetamine addiction, MSNBC ...
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The continuing problem with meth
Methamphetamine lab seizures in Missouri increased 4 percent last year as the state continues to ...
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Wash. Woman Charged in Meth Smuggling
SEATTLE (AP) -- A woman soaked paper with methamphetamine, fashioned it to look like a ...
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The meth problem: Escalating the war on drugs
POLSON - The war on drugs is not only alive and well in Lake County, ...
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Police say son of former Seahawks owner died of overdose
SANTA ROSA, Calif. - A drug overdose killed the son of a prominent developer, according ...
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METH Users are prone to violent actions
April 27, 2003 - HILLSBORO Ð Lt. Chuck Middleton, of the Highland County Sheriff’s Office ...
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Get tips to spot meth labs
NORTH PHOENIX - Strong chemical odors wafting through a neighborhood may be a sign of ...
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Meth bust at day care
Cops want to crack down on people who make drugs near kids.
BROOMFIELD - Police ...
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Meth: Mental Effects
When discussing the mental and psychological effects of methamphetamine, it is useful to examine the two main types of abuse patterns of this substance, since each pattern has distinct psychological consequences. The two main abuse patterns of methamphetamine are low-intensity use and binge, or high-intensity use.
Low-intensity users of methamphetamine are typically described as occasional users of the drug, and so are not classified as true methamphetamine addicts. Lowintensity users generally swallow or snort methamphetamine for the extra mental stimulation it provides and are not necessarily using the drug to get high. Low-intensity users include truck drivers, high school or college students, and other people who need to stay alert and be able to concentrate for long periods of time without sleep. When methamphetamine is used in this manner, most people will experience increased mental alertness, focus, and concentration, enhanced self-confidence, and greater energy. Most low-intensity users will not experience the euphoria associated with binge or high-intensity users.
Binge users, or high-intensity users, of methamphetamine generally smoke or inject the drug for the express purpose of getting high. Almost immediately after injecting or smoking the drug, the user will experience what is called a "rush," a euphoria that quickly becomes psychologically addictive. During this rush, the user will have feelings that are similar to having a sexual orgasm, along with increased heart rate and blood pressure. This psychological and physiological rush is caused by methamphetamine's effect of causing a release of epinephrine into the body and brain. Epinephrine is one of the body's hormones that is released when someone is very excited or frightened. There is also a release of a chemical in the brain called dopamine, which is naturally released in the brain when a person feels great pleasure. All the feelings a user has during a rush will last anywhere from five to 30 minutes.
After the rush, a binge user of methamphetamine will experience a high lasting four to 16 hours. This high is also known as the "shoulder," during which time a methamphetamine user will feel aggressive, smarter, and can be quite argumentative. After the high, many users will continue to smoke or inject methamphetamine for days on end. As the binge continues, they generally become more argumentative, combative, and mentally hyperactive. A binge episode can last from three to 15 days.
After a long binge, a period known as "tweaking" can set in. Tweaking occurs at the end of the binge when no amount of methamphetamine can bring back the rush or high. The user generally experiences mental symptoms of emptiness, depression, and paranoia; they also often suffer a form of methamphetamine-induced schizophrenia. Users who experience this will have visual or auditory hallucinations as well as the feelings of bugs crawling underneath their skin. Often, methamphetamine users will take heroin or drink alcohol during this stage to try to combat the negative mental effects.
An episode known as "crashing" finally occurs when the methamphetamine user falls into a deep exhaustive sleep. Crashing happens when all the body's stores of epinephrine have been used up. A crash can last from one to three days.
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