Pubdate: Wed, 18 May 2005
Source: Oak Ridger (TN)
Copyright: 2005 The Oak Ridger
Contact:  http://www.oakridger.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1146
Author: John Ammons
Series: Other articles in this series may be found at
http://www.mapinc.org/source/Oak+Ridger

THE DEADLY METH CYCLE

Profoundly psychological

EDITOR'S NOTE - "The Faces of Meth" is the final part of a three-part series
that focuses on the growing problem of methamphetamines and the devastating
effect that its use has on people's physical and mental health. A number of
physicians and other healthcare professionals from Methodist Medical Center
have contributed to this series of these articles.

*

"Fire," "ice," "crystal," "crank," "meth" - whatever we call it,
methamphetamine is a highly addictive, illegal and deadly drug. It can be
produced with relative ease using over-the-counter ingredients, and it gives
users a more intense high or feeling of euphoria than they get with cocaine.
People smoke, snort, inject or take meth orally. There have been reports of
users placing it in food and chewing it, as well. The high may last six to
eight hours, and the depression that follows is severe.

Methamphetamine is a danger to the people who produce and use it, to those
who come in contact with it inadvertently, to the environment, and to the
community.

The Meth Cycle

While under the influence of methamphetamine, users may develop symptoms
that are similar to schizophrenia, such as hallucinations and homicidal or
suicidal thoughts. They also have a tendency to become violent. This extreme
behavior is usually the result of amphetamine-induced psychosis, in which
the user loses contact with reality.

Users may experience a severe "crash" as the drug's effects subside, and the
crash can be more extreme and last longer than crashes following cocaine
use. One of the primary problems that plagues meth users is an intense
craving for more of the drug when the effect of previous use subsides. This
is due, in large part, to the profound depression that quickly accompanies
stimulant use.

A cycle rapidly develops that includes many rituals that provoke use. These
rituals include seeking out or obtaining the drug, setting up a "works" or a
device to deliver the drug to the body, using the drug, and experiencing the
effects of the drug. All of these steps are gratifying and provide comfort
to the addicted person.

A feeling of despair sets in when the effects of the drug diminishes. This
despair quickly descends into depression that drops below what was the
emotional baseline for the user. All of this means that the meth user does
not feel "normal" even when not under the influence of the drug. The
depression, in turn, provokes a conscious craving, and prolonged use of meth
results.

With continued use, the body develops a tolerance to the drug that results
in a diminished "high." The user experiences less euphoria, which provokes
an ongoing desire to use methamphetamine.

The addiction cycle, as it relates to stimulant usage, is not characterized
by a family history or a biogenetic predisposition, as is seen with alcohol
overuse. Methamphetamine addiction is profoundly psychological in nature and
is most closely related to cocaine dependence.

The withdrawal process associated with meth use does not generally require
hospital inpatient admission. An exception would be the presence of
psychosis. The long-term physical consequences of using methamphetamine may
be seen years after use has ceased.

Treatment

Users generally resist attempts at intervention and do not typically enter
treatment for substance abuse until faced with drug-related legal problems.
They may also require treatment for physical health problems caused by meth
use.

Current treatment for meth addiction includes detoxification, residential
care, and outpatient rehabilitation. During withdrawal, users experience
depression, extreme irritability, a craving for the drug, nausea, excessive
sleepiness or difficulty sleeping, profound surge in appetite once the drug
effect wears off and other symptoms. Relapse is common because of the
complex psychiatric, physical and social aspects associated with meth use.

There are no medications to treat meth addiction, although antidepressants
help combat depression. Psychiatric treatment known as cognitive behavioral
therapy has proven somewhat effective. Its goal is to change a patient's
thinking and behavior.

In order for treatment to be effective, users must make major life changes
and have an ongoing mechanism of accountability for abstinence. These
changes must include avoidance of people who continue to consume and/or
manufacturer methamphetamine because easy availability of the drug will
inevitably result in a return to use. *

About the Author --

John Ammons is a licensed alcohol and drug abuse counselor with the
Behavioral Medicine Unit at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge. He has
been a nationally certified addictions counselor for more than 15 years. At
Methodist, Ammons helps patients struggling with addiction issues and also
assists local businesses in establishing policy and procedures to implement
drug-free workplace environments, educating them about the signs and
symptoms of impairment, and assisting them as they help employees find
appropriate care. Prior to joining Methodist Medical Center in 1991, Ammons
worked at Peninsula Hospital. He majored in psychology at Pellissippi State
Community College and received additional education in addiction treatment
through the Tennessee Training and Professional Development Program. He is a
member of the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors
and the Tennessee Association of Rescue Squads.

*

Using meth? Common signs

* Extreme anxiousness

* Constant talking; rapid and/or pressured speech

* Extreme moodiness

* Nervousness

* Repetitious behavior, such as pulling at their hair

* Sleep problems

* Severe depression

* Aggressive or violent behavior

* Deterioration in dental hygiene with significant damage to the teeth in
the form of decay and tooth loss 
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MAP posted-by: Josh