Pubdate: Tue, 14 Jun 2005
Source: Islands' Weekly, The (WA)
Copyright: 2005 Islands Weekly
Contact:  http://www.islandsweekly.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2604
Author: Eden Bailey
Note: Eden Bailey is the Prevention Coordinator, San Juan County Health &
Community Services
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

HOW IS METH DIFFERENT FROM OTHER DRUGS?

With Meth in the news so much these days, I am often asked "Why is
Meth different from other drugs?" No drug of addiction is good; they
wreak havoc with mind and body. But Meth has some interesting
characteristics that are different from other drugs. Here is a rough
sketch.

Meth is in a class of drugs called stimulants, which includes
amphetamines and cocaine. Meth, like other stimulants, increases
energy while suppressing appetite. It basically comes in a powder form
but can be altered to meet different types of use, which include
snorting, smoking, and injecting. No matter how Meth is used, it
instantly reaches the central nervous system.

Meth then triggers certain neurotransmitters (chemicals) in the brain
to release. One of these neurotransmitters is dopamine, a "feel good"
chemical. There is an instant and incredibly intense "high." Normally,
after a while, the cells that release dopamine send out a signal to
"come on back," but Meth blocks that signal. It also blocks an enzyme
that tries to break down the drug so it will wear off more quickly. So
here we have a drug that forces the rapid and profuse release of
dopamine, won't let it back into its storage pouch, and blocks any
attempt to break it down. This can result in 10 to 12 hours of brain
interference as compared to 45 minutes with cocaine.

During the high, the body is experiencing several other physical
responses, which can include increased heart rate and blood pressure.
If a person's heart rate and blood pressure get too high for too long,
a person can easily suffer a heart attack or stroke. Both can cause
permanent brain or heart damage as well as death. One of the other
problems that can occur when Meth blocks the "come on back" call, is
that normal, healthy receptor sites in the brain get destroyed. That
means that if the person stops using Meth, he or she has fewer cells
to receive the body's normal release of dopamine. And that means that
they will never experience normal levels of their own "feel good"
brain chemicals.

Some of the problems associated with permanently lowered dopamine
levels include depression, boredom, restlessness, tremors, and muscle
twitches. In extreme cases psychosis can occur. But that is not what a
Meth user is thinking about during use. They are feeling, in the words
of past users, "fantastic," "euphoric," "incredibly confident," "Like
I could do &*%$ anything!"

That perception however, is from the inside looking out. Non-users who
are with users often report behaviors that include irritability,
insomnia, confusion, anxiety, paranoia, and aggressiveness. Now aside
from the fact that Meth users regularly ingest a veritable toxic waste
dump of chemicals, they are at risk for HIV/AIDS if they share needles
with an infected person. We often think of heroin users when we think
of needle-based diseases, but Meth is right up there. Meth users will
also develop acne, sores, brittle hair, and massive tooth decay.

So here is your Meth 101 lesson. It's not pretty.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin