METHAMPHETAMINE UPDATE

It has been said that whatever a drug gives it will eventually take
away; meth is no different. The lure is seemingly unlimited energy
with a sense of euphoria included. It is easy to like, and the rapid
onset of tolerance (the need for more to get the effect previously
achieved by a lesser amount) and withdrawal (the discomfort when a
drug wears off) creates a rapid onset of addiction.

There are people who briefly experiment with meth and escape before
the situation gets tragic. Statistically speaking they are in a small
minority that is dominated by people who tried it and for whatever
reason didn't like it. Of the ones who tried it and liked it, the
vast majority will reap the wrath of this sinister substance in one
way or another.

It is generally accurate to say that something has gone wrong in the
life of a person who tries meth; it just isn't a reasonable response
to anything. This helps us to understand the addictive potential. If
a person's life is not going well they may feel depressed and
experience a lull in energy. It is usually at these low points in
life that a person will try drugs. To help understand this addiction
potential, draw a line and put euphoria at one end andAdvertisement
depression at the other. Put a dot in middle to represent a normal
state of energy and mood. When a person in a normal state tries a
drug they move from the middle towards euphoria; there is a small
perceived reward. When a person who is not doing well tries a drug
they are starting at the depressed end and moving past normal to the
euphoria end and getting a much bigger reward. Simply put, the size
of the low when use commences determines the size of high, or
perceived reward, when a drug is used. Although the perception may be
one of healing, the suffering has really just begun.

Whatever has gone wrong in the person's life is about to be
complicated by addiction.

Methamphetamine addiction can mimic several mental health disorders
causing symptoms that make diagnostic evaluations difficult. Meth use
usually creates a syndrome that closely resembles bi-polar disorder
where a person's mood and energy cycle form high to low. The big mood
and energy boost during meth use is followed by a drastically
depressed mood and low energy when the drug wears off. This
information may help you to recognize the signs of meth use in people
you know, but remain aware that you may be seeing a mental health
problem. For a concerned parent a drug test is appropriate.

We all want to be in a good mood and have lots of energy, but meth's
truth is that whatever it gives in the short run, it will take away
ten fold in the long run. The personal stories of meth indicate that
it takes away much more than moods and energy. Visit the
Methamphetamine Strike Force website at http://www.2stopmeth.org/.