HOW METH HURTS A BODY

Carol Sem is one lady who has seen the ravages of the drug methamphetamine
up close and personal. Sem is a nurse with the Nurse Assistance Program in
Missoula and works at a detox center there.

She is also the person that, according to Kathie Newell, Northern Montana
Health Care public relations manager, is one of the most knowledgeable
people around regarding methamphetamine. She is also the professional that
local professionals turn to when they have questions about methamphetamine,
Newell said.

She has seen the effects methamphetamine has on its victims - the
unexpected mood swings that range from fearful to angry - the chills,
restlessness, intestinal cramps, and other physical effects of withdrawal.

"It all depends on how much and how long they've used it," she said. "I can
usually tell how much and what kind of drugs they've been using just by
looking at their teeth.

The small capillaries that feed blood to the teeth and certain other parts
of the body are narrowed with heavy meth use, Sem said. This reduces the
blood supply to the teeth causing them to fall out or quickly decay.

Other negative effects of long-term use of the drug are lung disorders,
brain and liver damage, kidney damage, blood clots, and damage to the blood
vessels and the brain. Long-term users may also appear aged beyond their years.

Psychological damage such as paranoia, aggressive behavior, anger, chronic
depression, and hallucinations have also been associated with use of the drug.

Initial symptoms associated with the use of methamphetamine are quick and
substantial weight loss, mood swings, lack of sleep, an uncommon amount of
energy, and a sense of euphoria.

Sem, in a somewhat understated fashion, simply describes meth as an "upper"
or "stimulant" that increases heart rate, blood pressure, activity levels,
and produces a sense of euphoria.

"We surmise that it targets the pleasure center of the brain," she said.

Methamphetamines mimic the body's naturally produced dopamine in the brain.
Neurons are tricked into allowing the drug in and once there, the drug
triggers the production of greater than normal levels of dopamine in the
brain, Sem said, adding that dopamine is also sometimes called the pleasure
drug. "Increased dopamine levels give one a sense of well being."

Also increased in the brain are serotonin levels.

"Serotonin is a naturally produced drug in the brain that affects neural
transmitters and gives one a sense of serenity, Sem said.

"Users have no fear," she said. "They feel that they are all powerful and
untouchable."

The feeling is somewhat true, Sem said, in that methamphetamine can produce
higher levels of adrenaline as well.

Adrenaline is a naturally produced drug that can give the body sudden
bursts of strength and alertness usually in reaction to fear.

Sem said the usual method of taking the drug is by smoking, snorting, or
injecting.

Like any drug, users can be low intensity, moderate or high intensity with
low intensity being the least dangerous. Binge use and high intensity, or
tweaking as it is known, are the most dangerous and can lead to strong
physical and psychological addition.