Methamphetamine – the Most Dangerous Drug
The 2017 global drug survey about Methamphetamine probably has been the most alarming take away with an average of 6 .1% and 8.3% seeking emergency treatment immediately after use. The dangers of meth became more apparent when comparing the Global Drug Survey data about Methamphetamines to data on other common drugs and alcohol. With the percentage of users who chose medical treatment after usage of Meth summing up to more than the aggregate of those who used synthetic cannabis and alcohol, the second- and third-most dangerous drugs, combined, Meth stood as the most dangerous drug of the time.
A special observation being that Meth affects women in a worse way than men for an unknown reason. According to The New York Times, methamphetamine use has shown a staggering increase, with nearly 25% more deaths from meth and other drugs in its class between May 2018 and May 2019 as compared to the previous year — which had already seen 13,000 deaths.
Why is Meth highly addictive?
The pleasurable effects caused by Meth ingestion are unduly high and keep the users wanting for more. Meth is one of those drugs which gets users hooked right after the first use. As the frequency of the usage increases, the user’s threshold of pleasure also increases simultaneously. This results in ingestion of higher amounts of Meth in higher doses to attain the previous high, fuelling further abuse every time. This abuse could not be stopped by the user without medical intervention even after he/she realises that they are in trouble as the abstinence e form the drug causes severe withdrawal symptoms such as depression, anxiety, fatigue, and an intense craving for the drug.
Why does Meth cause emergency treatments?
The effects of the intensely pleasurable Meth fade even before the chemical gets completely dissolved in the bloodstream. The users therefore administer another dose before flushing out the previous one and continue to do so for a number of times in a bid to maintain their high. Precisely, they binge on Meth. Though the frequency and dosage of such a binge vary among users, some may neglect to sleep or eat for multiple days, after which medical treatment may become necessary.
Adverse effects of ingesting Meth
Methamphetamine is a powerful stimulant which can increase wakefulness even in much smaller doses. Meth also releases high amounts of Dopamine in the brain which is responsible for the Euphoria exhibited among the users. This dopamine also believed to contribute to the drug’s deleterious effects on nerve terminals in the brain. Methamphetamine in increased doses is capable of causing instant death in the users.
Short Term effects
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat.
- Decreased appetite
- Hyperthermia
- Increased activity and wakefulness
- Euphoria and rush
- Heavy breathing
Long term effects
- Addiction
- Psychosis
- Paranoia
- Hallucinations
- Repetitive motor activity
- Changes in brain structure and function
- Impaired motor skills
- Loss of focus
- Memory loss
- Aggressive or violent behaviour
- Mood changes
- Risk of stroke
- Parkinson’s disease
- Severe dental problems
- Weight loss
Treatment
Treatment is available for Meth abuse as some of the neurobiological effects of chronic Methamphetamine misuse appear to be, at least, partially reversible with proper treatment. A study found that even though the biochemical evidence for nerve damage and viability stays in the brain still after 6 months of successful abstinence, they completely disappear between 6-2 years of sobriety. This recovery has been associated with improved motor skills and memory. Health care professionals around the world are well trained to help alleviate the harmful effects of meth use.
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