In 2006, the United States department of justice declared that there was an epidemic of methamphetamine (meth) usage in America, primarily in rural America. In 2007, the increasing use of meth finally began to decline. Unfortunately, in the last seven years, the usage of meth has begun to increase again. The CDC released a study in 2018 that showed meth was the second most abused substance in America, right under marijuana.
Meth is a dangerous substance and can lead to a lot of short- and long-term effects. It is important for individuals to look at what this means, why it is becoming a bigger issue, and what can be done about it and others who are struggling. There is a high danger associated with meth, but there are ways that individuals can combat this problem one person at a time.
Meth is a synthetic stimulant. This means that it boosts the nervous system of the body, creating a “high.” According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), meth users may experience a temporary sense of euphoria, alertness, and energy. The reason why is due to the fact that meth increases the amount of dopamine that is in the user's brain. Dopamine is a “feel good” chemical but is also involved in body movement, motivation, and reinforcing rewarding behavior. This basically means that the more an individual continues to use meth, the more their brain is going to want them to use it. This creates a physical dependency very quickly.
This is what makes meth so dangerous to use. Once individuals start using it, their bodies will crave that rush of dopamine that cannot be replicated through natural means. There are a variety of long-term and short-term effects of repeated usage of meth according to SAMHSA:
Short-term effects include:
Long-term effects include:
Meth use—in any amount or frequency—is highly dangerous and the risks far outweigh the temporary perceived benefits. Several of the symptoms of meth use can become severe enough to be fatal.
There are two primary reasons people believe meth is on the rise again. First of all, meth is relatively cheap to make. With the economy starting to trend downward, people are using cheaper methods to achieve a high. This means that cheaper drugs like meth become more predominant.
The other reason involves the rise in prevalence of the prescriptive drug Adderall. Adderall is used to treat ADHD and is an amphetamine. Consider how people can get hooked on the prescription opioid pain reliever Oxycotin and spiral into using heroin. Similarly, people who start abusing Adderall often get into meth because it is a higher concentration of a similar substance and will release more dopamine.
All this information can make things appear somewhat bleak, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Since it was declared an epidemic in 2006, a lot of money has been going toward meth research and treatment.
Treatment is the key word here. Treatment is how individuals can tackle the epidemic one person at a time. It is possible to treat substance use disorder (SUD) and instill tools for long-term sobriety in those who struggle. Meth has a high relapse rate so it is important to get proper treatment with a strong relapse prevention plan. Meth is a deadly drug and SUD is a deadly disease. Individuals must work with the best rehab facility to be able to tackle this, just as they would want the best doctor to tackle a life-threatening physical disorder.
NorthStar Transitions offers an excellent meth addiction treatment program. We not only treat individuals for SUD, but also start the path to healing the deeper reasons why individuals turned to substances in the first place. Rarely is SUD only a surface-level problem—people abuse substances to cope with depression, anxiety, trauma, and so much more. NorthStar understands that and wants to help in whatever way we can.
Meth use, its risks, and treatment can all be very scary. We strive to educate people to show how serious SUD can be but also to illuminate hope. There is hope that anyone and everyone can overcome this disease.
The methamphetamine epidemic can be terrifying, especially if you are witnessing or experiencing it firsthand. Being someone, or watching someone, who struggles with meth use is one of the hardest things that you can go through in life. It can be hard to know where to turn or who to ask for help. Luckily, NorthStar Transitions, located in Boulder, CO, can be the place to find that help. We offer a wide variety of services to help suit whatever your needs for recovery are. We offer support for those who are having issues with substance abuse, whether it is your first time in treatment or you need help getting back on track after a relapse. If you or someone you know is caught in a meth addiction, know that there is help available. You can take the first steps by calling us today at (303) 558-6400.
