USERS FIND METH HABIT HARD TO BREAK

It comes in a powdery substance or in a crystallized form and once inside,
it takes control.

"I have tried, but there is no way to fight this addiction," said Steve, a
Willow Park man that has been busted for methamphetamine on a few occasions.
"I love this stuff more than I love my girlfriend and two kids."

Methamphetamine can be taken orally, snorted, smoked or injected, in
approximately increasing order of immediacy of onset.

Crystallized meth, also known as "Ice," induces a deep sense of euphoria by
stimulating the release of dopamine and adrenaline in the central nervous
system. Use of the drug is often followed by prolonged depression and
fatigue.

Compared to cocaine, smoking meth will last up to 24 hours per ingestion,
officials said.

Methamphetamine users say they experience alertness, extreme elation,
wakefulness, greater self-confidence, talkativeness, loss of appetite,
increased physical activity and aggression.

"I hate how it gives me an edginess," said Phil, a Parker County man
addicted to methamphetamine for five years. "But I love how it makes me feel
more confident, intelligent and alive."

Phil said he was trying to lose weight when a friend recommended the drug.
He said he had never done drugs, but was willing to try anything to lose
weight. He said he wanted to be more attractive so he would no longer be
overlooked by women.

"I was 17 and I was 40 pounds overweight," Phil said. "So I tried this and
it took hold of my life.

"Even after I lost the weight, I couldn't give it up."

Phil said he has nerve twitches and gaps in his memory, which he attributes
to the use of meth.

Some of the withdrawal symptoms that are reported by substance abuse
counselors include severe craving, deep depression, fatigue, inertia,
paranoia and psychosis.

Methamphetamine is a bitter tasting white to off-white powder or chunk that
often resembles cocaine in appearance. It is commonly called speed, meth,
crystal, go fast, tweak and glass. Methamphetamine varies in forms and can
be snorted, smoked, injected or taken orally.

It is not uncommon for heavy users of methamphetamine to stay awake three or
four days without sleeping.

"I once went almost seven days without sleeping," Steve said.

Counselors for the Alcohol and Drug Treatment Center said the damage from
methamphetamine abuse can be permanent. They said extremely high doses may
cause people to flush or become pale, and cause a rapid or irregular
heartbeat, loss of coordination and even physical collapse. It is possible
for people that use methamphetamine to have a stroke or heart attack from
the increased demand on the cardiovascular system.

Chronic methamphetamine users tend to deteriorate both physically and
mentally more rapidly than other drug users. Methamphetamine can cause rapid
weight loss and people under the influence of methamphetamine can become
emaciated over a relatively short period of time. The drug can also lead
users to the point of not desiring sleep, helping pave the way to mental
disorders, visual and auditory hallucinations and psychotic behavior.

Treatment for methamphetamine addiction includes detoxing, followed by
behaviorally or socially based treatment in a treatment facility.

For help or for more information, call the Alcohol and Drug Treatment
Referral Center at (800) 375-45777.