The Negative Effects of Methamphetamine Usage by Substance Abusers
The Negative Effects of Methamphetamine Usage by Substance Abusers
Methamphetamine as a Substance of Abuse
Some people believe only weak people get hooked on drugs like meth. The truth is anyone can get addicted and dependent on drugs. It does not matter if you are rich or poor, black or white, male or female. Once you start using meth it takes over your life. Once it is in your system meth goes straight to your brain, flooding it with dopamine – that is the chemical that your brain naturally produces when you are doing happy enjoyable things. Meth users get hooked on that euphoric feeling – and this is where the trouble starts. Eventually your brain is incapable to produce dopamine naturally, and addicts must use meth to feel anything. Ultimately users are so hooked on meth it doesn’t even make them feel high anymore – but withdrawal symptoms are so painful that you must keep using.
The horrible thing about meth is; it messes up your brain. Meth contains – some terrible chemicals, like battery acid and antifreeze; these chemicals EAT AWAY AT YOUR BRAIN. Hard core meth users end up with permanent brain damage to the parts of the brain that control movement and emotions. Which is why addicts twitch and are extremely moody – they are actually missing parts of their brain.
Substance Abuse Facts
Currently, there are over 20 million people in the United States who are both active and former addicts. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), from 2000 to 2015, more than half a million individuals died from drug overdoses. 91 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose. In 2017, the number of opiate overdose deaths has jumped to 144 per day. Addiction plays a multi-faceted role in how it affects society. Not only is it detrimental for the abuser’s overall health and risk of developing disease, it affects incarceration rates, vehicle accidents, employment and the overall financial burden placed on the government and health insurers. The National Institute on Drug Abuse has estimated that the annual financial burden to be in excess of $78.5 billion, including the costs of healthcare, lost productivity, addiction treatment, and criminal justice involvement.
Long-Term Effects of Methamphetamine on Substance Abusers
Meth doesn’t just speed up the brain and body – it speeds up the aging process. It does not take long for an 18-yr. old to look like a 50 or 60-yr. old. And that’s not all; some other long-term effects of meth include: Paranoia, sores that don’t heal, acne, brain damage, death, hallucinations & delusions, stroke, rotten teeth/loss of teeth, twitching and convulsions, and violent, aggressive behavior.
Infectious Diseases and Methamphetamine Users
When injecting any form of illicit drug, there is always an increased risk of contracting infectious diseases, and methamphetamine injection is no different. Infectious diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis B & C are common amongst this demographic. Many a time, these infectious diseases are transmitted through infected body fluids or blood. These also lead to increased impairment in judgement which can cause one to engage in risky behavior such as unprotected sex, which also increases the risk for infection.
Substance Abuse Treatment Centers are Available to Assist those using Methamphetamine
Detox of South Florida, Inc. is a world-renowned inpatient detoxification facility that provides drug addiction services and drug addiction treatment. This drug treatment center deals with grieving patients who suffer from a variety of mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder amongst others. They treat these secondarily to behavioral health diagnoses such as Opioid dependence, benzodiazepine dependence, alcohol dependence, and amphetamine dependence to name a few. This Drug rehabilitation center provides alcohol treatment services, cocaine treatment services, benzodiazepine treatment services, opiate treatment services and many other substance abuse treatments. The latest, cutting–edge technology and substance abuse treatment modalities are employed to provide a “whole-patient” approach to dealing with addiction. Detox of South Florida regularly deals with those individuals who suffer from Methamphetamine dependence and have a unique-patient tailored approach to dealing with those cases.
Hepatitis and Infectious Disease Treatment Options at Detox of South Florida
At Detox of South Florida, Inc. Hepatitis detection and treatment is a part of our treatment protocols, alongside other traditional detoxification protocols instituted. A high level of attention is given to educating our patients on the importance of treating this curable condition in its early stages. Detox of South Florida is very fortunate to have a resident GI Physician, Dr Vikram Tarugu, available 5 days a week to address the Gastrointestinal needs of our patients.
