Methamphetamine (meth) is a highly addictive stimulant drug that increases the amount of dopamine in the brain. The National Institute of Drug Abuse noted during a 2005 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) that 10.4 million people over the age of 12 had tried methamphetamine at least once. Methamphetamine is made into crystallized powder, known as crystal meth, which can be smoked or snorted. Long-term abuse carries risks of physical and mental damage, some irreversible.
Addiction
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services states that methamphetamine can cause addiction after only one use, which can lead the user into chronic, often compulsive, drug-seeking behavior and use. The chemicals in methamphetamine cause the user to experience an extreme high, or sense of pleasure and euphoria. However, tolerances to low or intermittent doses of crystal meth occur, which make it more difficult to achieve the high gained with first use. This causes meth to be used more frequently and in greater amounts.
Central Nervous System Damage
Chemicals used to make crystal meth include toxic substances like battery acid, drain cleaner and lantern fuel, which damage delicate brain tissue when ingested. Chronic methamphetamine abusers can experience a wide range of central nervous system problems, such as tremors and trouble walking, nervousness and insomnia.
Cardiovascular Damage
Crystal meth is a stimulant that increases energy levels by causing the brain to release high levels of dopamine into the blood. This increase in dopamine causes the heart to beat faster, prompting fast, irregular pulse and increased blood pressure. The additional workload on the heart with repeated meth use can damage heart muscle, while the increased blood pressure makes users at risk for sudden cardiac death and stroke.
Brain Damage
A 2004 brain imaging study conducted by the University of California Los Angeles of chronic methamphetamine users reported a 10 percent loss of brain tissue in the areas of the brain that control memory, emotion and learning. Following brain cell death, extreme mental disorders can also develop, such as violent mood swings and behavior, paranoia, delusions and hallucinations.
