What Is Methamphetamine?

 

Methamphetamine (also known as meth, speed, crystal or ice) is part of the amphetamine family. There are variations in the meth which is illegally sold for recreational use. For instance, amphetamine sulphate is classified as being less dangerous than the crystal form of methamphetamine. Crystal meth is an extremely risky drug to take, because the effects on the nervous system are very powerful and it is incredibly addictive.

Crystal and speed are popular among drug users because they can make you feel alert, wakeful and energized. Because of the way in which the drug stimulates the brain, the user may also feel exhilarated. However, the user may also become confused or paranoid, or feel aggressive or highly agitated. Depending on the form of meth which was taken, the effects can last between two and twelve hours.

Methamphetamine carries some very serious health risks. Predominantly, these are mental health related. Regular use of meth is  known to cause severe psychoses where the addict loses touch with reality. It is an extreme and distressing form of paranoia, where the person struggles to believe that certain aspects of the world around them are real. The damage to the brain can be irreversible and permanent, although rehabilitation can lead addicts to make an almost full recovery the longer they stay off the drug.

Sometimes, the detrimental effects of the drug can be physical. Overdoses are common among addicts, and can trigger a stroke, or cause damage to the lungs, kidneys or intestines. In more serious cases, the impact can be fatal.

Methamphetamine is also dangerous because lowered inhibitions can encourage the user to indulge in risky activities which they would not normally consider. The likelihood of this happening is raised if the user is mixing meth use with alcohol consumption.

Speak to a doctor for more advice.

Barbiturate Abuse Symptoms

 

 

Barbiturates have been used as a medicine for over a hundred years, and were originally used as a treatment for disorders such as anxiety and insomnia. However, the drug can be potentially lethal. There is a very small difference between the correct dose and an overdose, and dependency is rife due to a highly addictive effect on the brain. This has led to a big decline in its medicinal use.

These days, barbiturates are mostly prescribed in the form of benzodiazepine such as Seconal or Amytal. These sedative hypnotics are slightly less addictive, and the associated side effects are less dangerous.

As medicinal use has declined, so has barbiturate abuse. However, substance abuse involving this class of drugs is still a problem. Because barbiturates relax the brain, some addicts habitually take them to achieve a pleasant feeling of euphoria and lower inhibitions.

Drowsiness will normally occur as well, and as the dose increases this may develop into confusion and slurred speech. The person will become unsteady on their feet, and bystanders may assume that the person is drunk. At a high dose, the person may develop respiratory problems or lose consciousness. Death is a very real risk.

Although barbiturates account for only a small percentage of substance abuse, the mortality rate is high. This is because dependency can take hold very quickly, usually in less than a month. The brain also develops a slight resistance to the effects of the drug, which encourages the user to increase their dosage to get the same high - this can be fatal.

Professional help should be sought to overcome barbiturate abuse. The withdrawal symptoms are difficult to cope with without proper support, as they can include hallucinations, fever and seizures. The treatment process needs to be closely monitored by medical professionals.

Speak to a doctor for further advice.