Methamphetamine, simply known as "Meth," is a member of the phenylethylamine family. The drug enters the brain and causes a cascading release of dopamine, serotonin and norephinephrine. Because of the brain experiencing intense feelings of euphoria, the risk for methamphetamine addiction is extremely high and prolonged use can cause adverse consequences on health.

People who use meth can become hypersexual (high level of physical arousal and heightened craving for sexual intercourse), and experience obsessive-compulsive tendencies. Methamphetamine addiction most typically occurs because a person begins to use it because of the powerful effects it has on moods and energy, for weight loss and appetite suppression and the condition escalates into full blown addiction.

Over time, the tolerance and requirements for a person with signs of meth addiction intensify as more and more of the drug is needed to achieve the desired effects. A person will experience a greater difficulty trying to function without larger amounts of the drug and most people becoming crystal meth addicts with the first "shot" (intravenous injection) of crystal methamphetamine.

Because of the high affinity for methamphetamine addiction and use of meth as an addictive substance, there have been several anti-drug advertisements and slogans. Nicknames for methamphetamine are numerous and vary from region to region, some of the most common nicknames are crank, ice, meth, crystal, shabu, and sometimes it is called speed, though the term is mostly reserved for normal amphetamines.

Crystal meth addicts can experience several physical side effects which can include anorexia, hyperactivity, hypertension (high blood pressure), diarrhea, constipation, blurry vision, headache, dry mouth, restlessness, insomnia, numbness, tremors, dry or itchy skin, acne and severe tooth decay. Prolonged, chronic and high doses of meth can cause convulsions, heart attack, stroke and possibly death.

There are also psychological effects for a person using meth which can include euphoria (extreme happiness), anxiety, increased sex drive, hyper alertness, and increase in energy, self-confidence, excitability, irritability, aggression and self-esteem. Other common psychological signs of meth addiction include feeling powerful, paranoia, repetitive/obsessive behaviors and amphetamine psychosis (delusional thoughts or hallucinations).

Meth withdrawal symptoms can be characterized by excessive sleeping, violent mood swings, major depression, excessive eating, anxiety and physical cravings for the drug. Though tolerance to meth is not completely understood, it is known that a person who even has even one dose of methamphetamine is likely to become addicted, particularly when the drug is injected or smoked.

Christian Drug Treatment Helps Meth Addiction Recovery

Methamphetamine addiction is a very serious problem, withdrawal symptoms are often very intense and the propensity for relapse is quite high. If any crystal meth addicts try to stop chronic meth use abruptly, withdrawal occurs in 90% of cases. The physical withdrawal from meth can cause severe and debilitating depression which can be longer and much deeper than the depression that is commonly experienced with cocaine addiction withdrawal. A recent study at the University of Montana has indicated that long term use of methamphetamine at high doses causes severe brain damage in rats, though no long-term research studies have been done to test the drugs affects on the human brain. Christian drug treatment centers are there to help with meth addiction recovery with rehab programs and counseling dedicated to meth addiction treatment.

Whether it is you or someone you love, an addiction to methamphetamine is a very dangerous condition which requires medical intervention and meth rehabilitation to be conquered.

If you or someone you love is seeking help for meth addiction, remember there is help available from professional and reliable Christian drug rehab and alcohol treatment center. Please contact the Transformation Treatment Center admissions office today.

Transformation Treatment Center, a leading popular Christian drug treatment center also offer treatments for Opiate, Cocaine, GHB, Darvocet, Lortab, Perocet, Rohypnol, Inhalant and other addiction problems.