Verified Document

Methamphetamine Dependency

Addiction and Changes (Stimulants Meth) Addiction can be described as habits of intentional, appetitive behaviors that develop to become excessive and generate severe consequences. The addiction usually takes place over time since they involve a process change and entails various predictors as well as different course. The term addiction has conventionally been used to identify self-destructive tendencies that may incorporate a pharmacological element. Individuals who become addicted to substances usually have numerous challenges and difficulties in altering and stopping these habits. Generally, addictions are characterized by inter-connected psychological and physiological elements to the behavior and constancy of problematic behavioral patterns (DiClemente, 2003, p.5). Stimulant Meth is an example of diagnosable addictions that can be treated through several treatment modalities and methods.

Addiction to Stimulant Meth

Stimulants are substances that derive their name from the fact that they arouse cells in the central nervous system, especially the spinal cord and the brain and forces them to become extremely active than ordinary. Since many substances and drugs have these effects, they can theoretically be considered as stimulants. Nonetheless, certain substances have more stimulating effect than others and can contribute to long-term changes in brain function, which in turn results in the formation of physical dependence (Promises Treatment Centers, 2014). The formation of physical dependence is sometimes the beginning of addiction. Therefore, one of the major effects of stimulant drugs of abuse is the likelihood of addiction and other effects include appetite suppression and increased sleeplessness.

One of the addictive substances is methamphetamine, which is a legally manufactured prescription medication associated with some benefits. The stimulant is addictive since it is highly linked to illegitimate drug manufacturing and illegal use. In comparison to other...

This implies that any individual who uses stimulant Meth can develop an addiction easily, which soon become severe. Methamphetamine is essentially a highly addictive stimulant for the central nervous system that can be easily manufactured from relatively cheap and over the counter ingredients. As a result, this drug is gradually developing into one of the most severe drug epidemics in the United States.
Methamphetamine is abused in various forms like smoking, injection, dissolution in water or alcohol, and oral ingestion. The individual experiences a rush that can stay up to 24 hours immediately after ingesting or smoking stimulant Meth. While the method of abusing this substance varies depending on geographical location, smoking seems to be the most common method since it results in very fast uptake to the brain and instant, intense euphoria. This enhances the possibility of addiction because the pleasure fades rapidly and users always take repeated doses in attempts to maintain the euphoria. Stimulant Meth enhances the amount of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which contributes to high levels of dopamine in the brain (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2014). The intense euphoria generated by increased levels of dopamine in the brain enhances the probability of addition, which becomes a chronic, relapse disease that entails compulsive drug seeking and abuse.

Treatment of Addiction to Stimulant Meth

Addiction to stimulant Meth has considerable health effects such as increased insomnia, reduced appetite, irregular heartbeat, increased body temperature, increased respiration, increased blood pressure, and increased physical activity. The long-term abuse of this stimulant contributes to severe health consequences like serious dental problems, extreme weight loss, and skin sores. Moreover, the abuse…

Sources used in this document:
References

DiClemente, C.C. (2003). Addiction and change: how addictions develop and addicted people recover. New York, NY: The Guilford Press.

Moeller, F.G., Schmitz, J.M., Herin, D. & Kjome, K.L. (2008, October). Use of Stimulants to Treat Cocaine and Methamphetamine Abuse. Current Psychiatry Reports, 10(5), 385-391.

National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2014, January). Drug Facts: Methamphetamine. Retrieved from National Institute on Drug Abuse website: http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/methamphetamine

Promises Treatment Centers. (2014, May 16). How Do Meth Addicts Differ From ADHD Drug
Abusers? Retrieved November 5, 2014, from http://www.promises.com/articles/drug-addiction/meth-adhd-addiction-differences/
The Ranch. (n.d.). Meth Addiction. Retrieved November 5, 2014, from http://www.recoveryranch.com/treatment-issues/addictive-disorders/meth/
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Meth There Is Such a
Words: 3241 Length: 13 Document Type: Term Paper

When found, these labs must be dismantled by people wearing hazardous material suits." (Halperin 2006-page 1) With the huge budget allocated to Homeland Security, many of the tech-savvy drug producers and dealers can be tracked and busted with the same type of weaponry they use to create the drug product in the first place. Homeland Security's budget allows for the purchase and training for officials. This training allows them the

Chemical Dependency Physiological Effects of
Words: 599 Length: 2 Document Type: Essay

Behavioral Effects of Abused Drugs The common denominator among all users of abused drugs is the goal of attaining an altered state of consciousness. Whether to escape the reality of their own lives or to fulfill a chemically adventurous inclination, all illicit drug users want to leave behind their mundane and sometime painful lives. All of the drugs mentioned are able to meet this goal to various degrees, from alcohol to

Psychoactive Substance Use and Abuse a Psychoactive
Words: 1656 Length: 5 Document Type: Essay

Psychoactive Substance Use and Abuse A psychoactive substance refers to any chemical which both impacts the central nervous system and the way the brain functions. Psychoactive substances refer to stimulants (cocaine, methamphetamine, dextroamphetamine), sedatives and analgesics (alcohol, heroin), hallucinogens (PCP, psychoactive mushrooms). As stated in the DSM-IIIR "psychoactive substance abuse is given the definition of being "a maladaptive pattern of use indicated by continued use despite knowledge of having a persistent

Drugs Many Drugs Have Been
Words: 1938 Length: 5 Document Type: Essay

A room in a house or a basement can become manufacturing laboratory for methamphetamine easier than a closet in a city apartment. Similarly, access to cocaine and other illicit substances may be easier in inner cities, which are usually ports of entry for foreign and regional cartels. Demand for methamphetamine may be linked to the availability of other substances in urban centers. If access to cocaine, heroin, and other drugs

Ferrari Create Premium Eco-Car Ferrari
Words: 1517 Length: 4 Document Type: Research Paper

emotional positioning strategies. Marketing Intelligence & Planning, 23(1), 9-29. Philip Kotler, & David Gertner. (2002). Country as brand, product, and beyond: A place marketing and brand management perspective. Journal of Brand Management, 9(4/5), 249-261. Martin, Bridget, & Simintiras, Antonis C. (1995). The impact of green product lines on the environment: Does what they know affect how they feel? Marketing Intelligence & Planning, 13(4), 16. Keith Naughton. (2007, October). An Electric Dream: THE

Fictional Drug Abuse Case
Words: 5191 Length: 15 Document Type: Case Study

Chemical Dependency Jesse Bruce Pinkman is one of the most important characters in the popular TV series, 'Breaking Bad'. He plays the deuteragonist (2nd most important character) in the series, partnering with Walter White in his methamphetamine drug ring. Pinkman acts as a dealer and manufacturer of methamphetamine, and is also a methamphetamine user. Jesse was also a former student in White's chemistry class. According to the program script, Pinkman was born

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now