Methamphetamine is a colorless and odorless stimulant with strong addictive effects. Although its chemical composition is similar to amphetamines, it is a substance with stronger ingredients in the central nervous system. Short-term or long-term use of methamphetamine affects the person negatively. Some of these negative effects include respiratory, circulatory, digestive and psychological problems. Methamphetamine addiction does not have the same effect on every person. A person cannot self-administer methamphetamine treatment. It is almost impossible to get rid of this addictive stimulant without expert help.
Methamphetamine; It is one of the addictive substances known as stimulants among stimulants that activate cells in the nervous system.
What is Methamphetamine?
Methamphetamine is a highly addictive and stimulant substance. It has effects similar to cocaine. It shows its effect by increasing dopamine levels in the brain. Methamphetamine lasts longer and is cheaper than cocaine. It is usually available in pill form as well as powder form. Methamphetamine, popularly known as crystal, ice, meth, ice, causes sudden increases in the psychological emotional transitions of the individual. When the stimulant loses its effect, it can cause psychological problems such as depression or insomnia. Therefore, it can cause addiction by providing a positive reinforcement effect to maintain the continuity of its relaxing effect.
What is Methamphetamine Addiction and What are the Symptoms?
Due to the biological state of the body, when the cells in the brain are exposed to methamphetamine, the cells reduce the number of receptors to which the stimulus binds in order to adjust the number of stimuli. Therefore, the individual needs a higher dose of the substance to achieve the same level of pleasurable effects that he or she had experienced with previous use. Methamphetamine causes an intense emotional state that increases and decreases suddenly. The emotional lows are very difficult for the person. It can cause emotional and physical problems such as depression and insomnia. Because of this pleasure, called tolerance, the individual is forced to use a larger dose of the stimulant with each chronic use, and over time the dependence on this stimulant increases. In order to monitor substance use, the rate at which the level of methamphetamine in the body decreases due to the excretion of the substance causes noticeable disturbing symptoms in the individual. These symptoms can be characterized as follows;
- Psychological symptoms such as anxiety, unhappiness or depression
- Burning, blurred, watery eyes
- Mood disturbance, sadness and insensitivity to the environment
- Sleep problems
- Exhaustion, fatigue
- Withdrawal from social environments, low motivation, inefficiency
- Paranoia
- Disturbances in appetite
In order to prevent the occurrence of these negative symptoms that develop due to the decrease in the effect of the substance, the individual continues to use the substance and develops addiction.
In addition to the physical addiction mentioned above, the fact that the individual experiences pleasurable feelings with substance use develops the desire to experience the same feelings psychologically and leads them to repeat the same behavior continuously. This process, also known as psychological addiction, occurs through psychologically based mechanisms other than physical addiction. This process can also make a person physically dependent on substance use.
After methamphetamine use, some changes may occur in the health status of the individual. Cardiovascular and kidney health, especially neurological and psychological aspects are negatively affected. Sudden increases in heart rate or blood pressure due to substance use can lead to health problems such as heart attacks in young people. Due to sudden mood disorders, individuals may turn to suicide and their work and social lives may be negatively affected.
How does methamphetamine work?
Methamphetamine binds to many cell groups on the surface of nerve cells in the brain, causing more stimulation in the cells than usual. After this, some symptoms develop due to increased stimulation in different areas such as parts of the brain that affect the psychological state, pleasure areas and visual centers;
- A feeling of intense energy and high levels of excitement or adrenaline
- A high level of courage and self-confidence
- The feeling of being extremely pleasant
- Indifference to what is happening in the environment
- Psychological changes such as paranoia, hallucinations
- Increased sexual desire
- Agitation or sensitive mood overreacting to certain events
- Too much desire to talk
- Excessive behavior and showing different behavior patterns than usual
- Increased blood pressure and heart rate
- Increase in body temperature
- Loss of appetite
How is Methamphetamine Addiction Treated?
The aim of the treatment ofmethamphetamine addiction and other drug addictions is to ensure that the individual is socially supported and motivated to eliminate the addiction. In some cases, the individual is removed from substance use with the support of additional drug treatments or the substance use is terminated by limiting the level. After cessation of use, the individual develops withdrawal symptoms. Drug treatments may be recommended for this. Psychotherapy, psychiatric medications, social awareness raising and support from the individual's social environment contribute positively to the treatment process.
