Meth's effect on the body is widespread

[almaty 19]

Methamphetamine is the by-product of amphetamine, which is still used today under the brand names Adderall and Dexedrine to treat various ailments, including Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, narcolepsy and symptoms of traumatic brain injury.

However, the meth being cooked up nowadays by amateur chemists has no medical significance and combines everyday consumer products with highly flammable liquids and gases.

Meth is a central nervous system stimulant that affects several neurochemical mechanisms that are responsible for regulating functions such as body temperature, heart rate, attention, mood, blood pressure and appetite. It's also a sympathomimetic drug, which means it mimics the physiological response of fear, fighting and fleeing.

Crystal rapidly shoots to the brain and triggers an avalanche of norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin.

Immediate consequences include dilated pupils, euphoria, increased energy and attentiveness, loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhea, insomnia and jaw clenching.

Chronic and long-term users tend to experience drug craving, weight loss, amphetamine psychosis, panic attacks, paranoia, delusions, compulsive picking due to "meth bugs", and meth mouth. The user's brain also has nerve cell damage like that of a stroke or Alzheimer's patient.

Meth bugs, also called speed bumps, meth sores or crank bugs, is the reference given to imaginary insects that the user will obsessively and feverishly pick at.

Meth mouth refers to the consequences of chronic crystal use on the user's mouth. Such repercussions are advanced tooth decay, rotted out teeth, cracked teeth due to the user grinding and clenching, and damaged gums. The rapid onset of these symptoms is the difference between simple neglect and meth use.

There are numerous ways of taking the drug. It can be smoked, snorted, injected or taken orally. Users will feel jittery and anxious for six to 24 hours. They then "crash", at which point an intense and overpowering need for more meth sets in. This cycle of using and crashing is known as a run. The run ends when the addict collapses.

The user is not the only person affected by the drug's powerful grip. Babies who are born to meth-using mothers are often incapable of bonding, are plagued by tremors and coordination problems, are more likely to suffer from birth defects and learning disabilities, and can cry for 24 hours without stopping.

Children who live in homes where meth is cooked are at tremendous risk for chemical contamination, respiratory difficulties, dizziness, nausea or fatigue, sexual abuse, neglect and social and emotional problems, to name a few.

According to www.methamphetamineaddiction.com, methamphetamines and amphetamines, "were the primary substance of abuse in more than 124,000 substance abuse treatment admissions in 1992, almost seven percent of all admissions. Methamphetamine was the primary drug of abuse reported in more than 90 percent of these admissions in 2002."

"It devastates lives. I've seen a lot of good, hardworking people's lives ruined by meth," said Joe Beliveau of the Metropolian Enforcement Group of Southwestern Illinois. "They have no desire for anything else. They're not concerned about their health and safety let alone their kids. They're just concerned with getting their next high."

[smoke20 0]

oh ya meth is some nasty stuff. i can't count how many people i've seen destroyed by their addiction to meth. saddest thing about it is it ruins their families too. not just immediate family but, the whole family because its so hard to watch it & not get involved.

[Sinergy 3]

My best friend died using meth 11 years ago, no one even knew she was doing it until it was too late to do anything about it. The day we all found out, she overdosed that night. That ####### is BAD

[GaryC 7]

[almaty 19]

i have worked with allot of meth clients..allot of youngsters addicted in high school..and surprise to me, people in their 50s, who got hooked on it...

[Aymerlu 3]

Scary stuff

[Ban Hammer 13,345]

unfortunately, none of the before and after pics include their teeth.

[smoke20 0]

unfortunately, none of the before and after pics include their teeth.

yes sir, sommer teeth (sommer here-sommer there) is a dead give away for a meth addict.

[almaty 19]

unfortunately, none of the before and after pics include their teeth.

excellent point, brother charles, their teeth is unbelieveable..i seen them up close...kids with teeth or a 70 year old.....sad