Methamphetamine_Today

Methamphetamine Today Methamphetamine is at its molecular level: n-methyl-1-phenyl-2-amine.] Methamphetamine is a highly addictive stimulant. A lot of different sources trace the beginning of methamphetamine to different times of creation and different creators, but I am going with methamphetamine or meth for short was first synthesized in Japan in 1893 by a scientist named Nagayoshi Nagai. Meth was synthesized from the precursor chemical known as ephedrine. Many sources say methamphetamine started with Germany, while others say Japan. Either way Methamphetamine has had a big impact on the world. In Nazi Germany millions of doses of methamphetamine were distributed to infantry in the form of capsules called Pervitin. Pervitin was also sold to the German public in 1938. Over the counter methamphetamine became very popular at that point. The Methamphetamine pills were also used because it was Nazi Germanys way of creating their “super soldiers”. The Germans were not the only country using amphetamines to “jack up” their soldiers. The United States military also used them on our soldiers, as well as the Japanese military. (Howstuffworks, 1998-2013). Post war Japan was the first to experience a widespread meth epidemic. The epidemic then spread to Guam, and then the United States Marshall islands, and then it spread to the west coast of the United States. Biker gangs and students began cooking the drug and using it and distributing it. (Vermont Department of Health, 2013) In 1970 Methamphetamine is regulated in the Controlled Substances Act. Drug counselors and drug prevention programs are put forth to try to curb the addiction of Methamphetamine. Then in the 1980’s forms of crystal meth are introduced that can be smoked. Mexican methamphetamine manufacturers also begin to import large quantities of crystal methamphetamine from south of the border. Drug counselors come to find an increase in abuse of methamphetamine by homosexual men. All the while the meth epidemic is starting to flow in the easterly direction and starting to sweep the United States. (Vermont Department of Health, 2013) Then in the 1990’s new and different ways to cook or manufacture the drugs are formed. The new versions were up to four to six times more potent than their predecessors. Use and abuse of crystal methamphetamine spread to rural Midwest where location is everything, meaning isolation geographically, and an ease of obtaining ephedrine and other materials used in the synthesizing of crystal methamphetamine. (Vermont Department of Health, 2013) In 1996 congress passes the Comprehensive Methamphetamine Control Act which regulated the selling of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine and other precursor chemicals used to manufacture or cook crystal methamphetamine. It made it harder for large methamphetamine manufacturing operations to get the chemicals needed to produce crystal methamphetamine. By the year 2000 crystal methamphetamine is the hard drug of choice for most of the west and Midwest. (Vermont Department of Health, 2013) Methamphetamine affects the central nervous system by initiating the release of monoamine neurotransmitters. Those monoamine neurotransmitters include dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. Methamphetamine works by flooding the brain with these monoamines. Methamphetamine also has the ability to inhibit monoamine transporters by blocking the reuptake of them. Methamphetamine also has a fast transfer across the blood brain barrier. Once crystal methamphetamine is introduced into the human body by either smoking the drug or injecting the drug it has an almost immediate sensation of euphoria and pleasure which many of the drugs users describe as a “rush”. The initial rush only lasts for a few minutes but is then followed by a not so intense “high” that can last many hours depending on the quality and dose of the drug. However when you snort crystal methamphetamine or take it orally there is no “rush” but instead a longer lasting high takes effect because the absorption rate is slower. For the breakdown of crystal methamphetamine the liver is primarily responsible. Urine ph. is the cause for the elimination half-life. (MethOIDE, 2013)\ The majority of crystal methamphetamine in the United States is made in large labs or “super labs”. There are also small scale labs that are popping up all over the United States. These crystal methamphetamine labs are very hazardous to the environment and everyone around it. These small scale crystal methamphetamine labs are very dangerous as well and have a very high risk of fires, explosions and contamination of toxic gasses and chemicals. Up to five or six pounds of toxic waste is produced for each pound of crystal methamphetamine that is made. Clandestine methamphetamine labs can be found just about anywhere these days. They can be found in barns, garages, apartments, hotel and motel rooms, vacant buildings, storage buildings, and in the back rooms of businesses just to name a few. Cleaning up a clandestine methamphetamine lab can be very costly. They can cost up to one hundred and fifty thousand dollars to clean up properly. Most of these clandestine methamphetamine labs are small and contain normal household products you can pick up at any general supermarket and hardware store. Some of these items are common household chemicals, measuring cups, funnels, hoses, and coffee filters. (Montana.edu, unknown date) Methamphetamine can also come from a prescription. It is manufactured in a laboratory and prescribed for a variety of ailments including ADHD, and exogenous obesity. The prescription name for prescribed methamphetamine is Desoxyn. (RxList Inc, 2013) The effects of methamphetamine are a decrease in appetite, a rush of euphoria, wakefulness and an increase in energy, an increase in attention and a decrease of fatigue, a rapid heartbeat, hyperthermia and increased respiration. Methamphetamine has a very pleasing effect that occurs in the brain by flooding it with monoamine dopamine. The long term effects of chronic methamphetamine use are very negative. The long term effects include addiction and drug seeking behavior. People who are chronically addicted can have side effect symptoms that include insomnia, anxiety, paranoia, rapid changes in mood and users can exhibit violent behavior. There are many other psychotic side effects that occur from chronic crystal methamphetamine use. Some of these psychotic side effects include hallucination which can be visual or auditory, and delusions. These psychotic side effects can tend to last for weeks, months, or even longer. Chronic crystal methamphetamine abuse can also cause a psychotic side effect known as methamphetamine induced psychosis which is very similar to schizophrenia. (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2006) Tolerance can also occur from chronic use of crystal methamphetamine. Users often up the dosage to try and compensate for the tolerance or change the method of use for the drug. Smokers will often turn to injecting methamphetamine intravenously. (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2006) Withdrawal from crystal methamphetamine can occur when a user stops using abruptly. Withdrawal symptoms may include but are not limited to anxiety, fatigue, depression, and a very intense craving for methamphetamine. (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2006) Chronic crystal methamphetamine use can also change and alter the users’ brain. These changes can be very significant. Some of these changes to the brain include alterations to the dopamine system. Which can lead to an increase in depression. Structural changes can also occur and can be very severe and lead to problems with emotion and memory. Some of the side effects associated with chronic crystal methamphetamine use can be reversed or at least partially reversed. With prolonged abstinence from crystal methamphetamine users can restore motor function and verbal memory. There are some side effects that may take longer than two years to recover from if not longer. Chronic methamphetamine use can also lead to an increase of stroke which will have irreversible effects on the brain and brain function. (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2006) There are currently two treatments used for chronic crystal methamphetamine addiction. The first is what is known as The Matrix Model. The Matrix Model is a multi-element treatment manual. The Matrix Model has be evolved over a period of time. It uses a combination of cognitive behavioral therapies, a positive reinforcing treatment context, motivational interviewing, and family involvement. The Matrix Model also includes accurate psych educational information, twelve step program participation, and urine testing. (methinformation.org, 2006-2012) Another treatment option for the chronic use of crystal methamphetamine is called Contingency Management, or CM. Contingency Management involves positive reinforcement which has been found to have great results. (methinformation.org, 2006-2012) References How Stuff Works (1998-2013) How methamphetamine works Retrieved from http:// http://science.howstuffworks.com/meth2.htm Vermont Department of Health (2013) A Brief History of Methamphetamine, Methamphetamine Prevention in Vermont Retrieved from http://healthvermont.gov/adap/meth/brief_history.aspx MethOIDE (2013) Pharmacology, Neurobiology Retrieved from http://methoide.fcm.arizona.edu/infocenter/index.cfm'stid=166 Montana.edu (date unknown) Clandestine Meth Labs Retrieved from http://www.montana.edu/wwwai/imsd/rezmeth/methlabs.htm RxList.Inc (2013) Desoxyn Retrieved from http://www.rxlist.com/desoxyn-drug/indications-dosage.htm National Institute on Drug Abuse (2006, September) Methamphetamine Abuse and Addiction Retrieved from http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/methamphetamine-abuse-addiction/what-are-immediate-short-term-effects-methamphetamine-abuse References Methinformation.org (2006-2012) Treatment Retrieved from http://www.methinformation.org/html/treatment.html