Methamphetamine addiction

One of the most devastating effects of methamphetamine addiction can be seen in pregnant women who are addicted. Exposure of a fetus to methamphetamine has been shown to cause limb malformations, abnormal reflexes, and behavioral problems in the newborn. Moreover, meth-addicted expectant mothers experience more premature deliveries and complications during delivery than do non-using expectant mothers. 

Another consequence of methamphetamine addiction is increased risk for HIV infection and AIDS, since many meth users inject the drug intravenously and share needles. In fact, illegal drug use is one of the fastest-growing ways HIV is spread to other people. 

Once a methamphetamine addict stops taking the drug, the withdrawal symptoms can be very severe and include depression and anxiety, increased appetite, fatigue, paranoia, irritability, aggressive behavior, and intense craving for the drug. Some of these symptoms can be eased with sedative drugs like Valium or antidepressants like Prozac . 

Contains information about methamphetamine addiction, treatment options, and personal stories of recovery. Sponsored by the Narconon Arrowhead treatment program. 

Treatment of addiction to prescription stimulants is based on behavioral therapies proven effective for treating cocaine or methamphetamine addiction. At this time, there are no proven medications for the treatment of stimulant... 

Methamphetamine is often combined with other illegal drugs. A common combination is mixing methamphetamine with heroin, either in an injection or in smoking. This mixture is called a speedball. Methamphetamine users will also mix in cocaine to increase the initial rush. Methamphetamine addicts are often alcoholics. 

Many addiction specialists believe that methamphetamine addiction is one of the hardest, if not the hard-... 

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Rawson RA, Gonzales R, Brethen P Treatment of methamphetamine use disorders an update. J Subst Abuse Treat 23 145—150, 2002a Rawson RA, Huber A, Brethen P, et al Status of methamphetamine users 2—5 years after outpatient treatment. J Addict Dis 21 107—119, 2002b Reneman L, Lavalaye J, Schmand B, et al Cortical serotonin transporter density and verbal memory in individuals who stopped using 3,4-methylenedioxymetham-phetamine (MDMA or ecstasy ) preliminary findings (comment). Arch Gen Psychiatry 58 901—906, 2001... 

In humans, a comparative examination of the positive reinforcing effects of solvents showed that among inhalant-dependent subjects, solvents induced a more intense sensation of pleasant feelings than that induced by alcohol and nicotine in subjects addicted to these substances (Kono et al. 2001). Solvent-dependent subjects reported pleasant feelings comparable to those reported by stimulant-dependent subjects after use of methamphetamine. However,... 

NIDA. NIDA Research Report Methamphetamine Abuse and Addiction, NIDA Research Report, Vol. 2005, 2002. 

Rawson, R.A., Huber, A., Brethen, P. et al. Status of methamphetamine users 2-5 years after outpatient treatment. J. Addict. Dis. 21 107, 2002. 

Banta-Green CJ, Field JA, Chiaia AC, Sudakin DL, Power L, De Montigny L (2009) The spatial epidemiology of cocaine, methamphetamine and 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) use a demonstration using a population measure of community drug load derived from municipal wastewater. Addiction 104 1874—1880... 

In the brain, methamphetamine causes massive amounts of the neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin to be released from neurons in the brain, particularly in the limbic system and frontal cortex. Scientists believe the increased dopamine release in these brain regions is responsible for methamphetamine s ability to keep people awake, alert, energetic, active, and possibly addicted. Methamphetamine acts on a variety of brain regions to produce a number of different effects (Table 2.1). 

Methamphetamine is highly addictive, and people have reported becoming addicted to the drug after only taking it a few times. While some meth addicts take the drug once or... 

Brecht ML, O Brien A, et al (2004) Methamphetamine use behaviors and gender differences. Addict Behav 29(1) 89-106... 

Crack Cocaine Street Names Freebase. Mexican speedballs (crack w/ methamphetamine), roosten tornado (ovct 40 street slang terms) Use Crack is cocaine that comes in a rock crystal that can be heated and its vapors smoked. The tOTn crack ref s to the crackling sound heard when it is heated Actions CNS stimulant induces euphoria. Highly addictive Effects Acute CV or cerebrovascular emergencies (heart attack or stroke), could result in sudden death. Cocaine-related deaths are often a result of cardiac arrest or seizure followed by resp arrest (see also Cocaine)... 

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